Sustainability is about maintaining the diversity of the planet and the responsible use of natural resources. 
Sustainability is a balancing act between population growth and its need to consume, and, the physical wellbeing and regeneration of the planet that feeds and houses us.
We are all part of the world and sustainability is the big picture. Do we ever stop to think if your lifestyle is sustainable?
The Present Problems
Essentially as a collective of global citizens are we using up way too much energy. We heavily rely on air conditioning… we leave our TVs on standby… we build more houses on agricultural land… we use so many plastic bags and plastic wrappers… we toss another drinks bottle… and in the West our rubbish disappears before our very eyes.
In third world countries plastic and rubbish and consumer detritus accumulates by the side of the road or they are burned releasing toxic fumes in the middle of a village.
Some countries ship their ‘recycling’ to China to be ‘recycled’ but probably it is burnt in the middle of another village.
At the moment the planet and all its resources are viewed as a commodity. And our current rate of consumption is not in harmony with sustainability.
Maybe we can sustain ourselves for today, but what about tomorrow? As populations grow, temperatures rise, and cities develop – our natural habitat which provides food and the biodiversity of the planet, is directly impacted.
Friends of the Earth Middle East state that “Sustainable Development has been defined as development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Solutions
Indeed, we need to look at the bigger picture - renewable energy, sustainable architecture, responsible agriculture, recycling and green technology.
Issues like population management, forest preservation, agriculture and global pollution must be brought to our attention.
We need strong accountable governments and responsible businesses that can balance our environmental impact.
How do we grow without consuming more? And how can we be sustainable if we keep growing?
Population Issue
“The worst thing that you or I can do for the planet is to have children,” says Alex Renton provocatively in a recent article in The Observer. “If they behave as the average person in the rich world does now, they will emit some 11 tonnes of CO² every year of their lives. If Britain is to meet the government's target of an 80% reduction in our emissions by 2050, we need to start reversing our rising rate of population growth immediately.”
The Optimum Population Trust is calling that we all limit ourselves to having two children. Issues like China’s one-child families and birth control in developing nations are challenging our notion of human rights.
For instance, at the moment India’s emissions are very low – less than two tonnes per person, but their population is currently growing by 15 million a year and by 2035 per capita emissions are likely to be around 4.5 tonnes.
However, the US has a third of the population of China or India and it produces more than double the per capita emissions of other developed nations like the UK and Japan.
Again Alex Renton twists the knife: “After all, based on current emissions and life expectancy, one less British child would permit some 30 women in sub-Saharan Africa to have a baby and still leave the planet a cleaner place.”
But is it a question of population control or rather do we need to change how we consume? Most of all, we have to see how our choices affect the planet.
Positive Way Forward
We need to evolve our way of thinking. Obviously so much of the global template for sustainable living is decided at government level. Governments are swayed by the interests of big businesses. But we as individuals can make a difference. You can always vote with your wallet, like boycotting businesses that operate in an unethical way.
We need to start thinking intelligently. Check out the Energy Union - a music tour, created by Coldcut, taking the message of Intelligent Energy to the masses.
“Even from a selfish point of view it’s better not to waste energy: you save yourself money and the community money by saving resources, which helps you as well….And, it’s possible to make choices in your life which benefit you and society. If I decide to take the train to work rather than a car it’s good for everyone. If I have a house that’s kitted out with geothermal heating and solar cells: that’s going to save me money. If I turn the lights off when I’m not there, that’s intelligent,” says Matt from Coldcut.
“The great thing about Intelligent Energy is that it’s a concept that can be applied by each and every one of us. Just start with buying organic, regional or local food. Walk more or take the bike more often instead of the car. Fly less. Think about if you really need light in every single room and if you need your laptop 24 hours a day. There are a lot of other great possibilities to change your lifestyle. It starts with YOU.”
Sustainability is an individual choice which has direct impact on our community. Starting to respect the community creates unity.
Sustainability is respect for ourselves, respect for the planet and respect for future generations.
What is your government doing? Both nationally and locally?
For more information check out the following sites:
UK - www.sd-commission.org.uk
Israel – www.sviva.gov.il
US – www.epa.gov
Other inspiring ways to get you thinking about Sustainability
Check out Solutions for Sustainable Development www.earth.columbia.edu/
and Friends of the Earth globally, for example FoE Middle East at www.foeme.org
Watch: On Youtube – The Big Ask: Climate Change, “Act Now!”
Read: Life Stripped Bare: My Year Trying to Live Ethically by Leo Hickman
Listen: to Lilly Allen, Mark Ronson, Amadou and Mariom on the new Bob Geldof re-recorded ‘Beds are Burning’ for climate change campaign - www.timeforclimatejustice.org
Connect: with those who are thinking sustainability on a daily basis: http://consciousearth.blogspot.com/