On Sustainability in the World

Sustainability is the trending buzzword these days especially with issues of climate change, burgeoning world population and other related social issues. According to Dr. Brad Allenby of Arizona State University, Sustainability is a subjective issue that is highly value-laden - which I agree - and depends to a large extent on the point of view of the observer. Dr. Allenby goes on to say that Sustainability lacks a common definition because of two issues:

1. First, there is no agreed basis on how resources in the world should be utilized. Most of the Western world (as well as members of the world power club) have a libertarian philosophy which believes in giving everyone equal opportunity which will ultimately lead to unequal outcomes which is the natural result of Capitalism. On the other hand, the Emerging economies and developing world believe in egalitarian principles which has to do with ensuring that there is equitable re-distribution of resources amongst the populace. 

These divergent philosophies will lead to diifferent views about production, consumption and all other economic issues.

2. The issue of Inter-generational Colonialism. While it is commendable that Sustainability is usually defined with the future generations in mind, it ends up becoming a form of colonialism since the current generation would have to make assumptions (which may be wrong) on what it is that the next generation would need and want.

While the debates on such issues which are seen as fundamental rage on, it is no wonder that not much progress has been made in trying to tackle current pressing challenges such as depletion of the ozone layer, loss of biodiversity,  increase in high impact events such as hurricanes, tsunamis, floodings, earthquakes and increasing probability of nuclear proliferation.

In the end, it all boils down to a fight for supremacy between variant philosophies of life and so much work must be done to find a compromise that ensures 'sustainability for all'!

Haidarwali 201609261426hrs

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