Here is a free newsletter on sustainability. We all need
more reading material right? <grin>. jeff
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SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW
Issue 20 -- May 29, 2000
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SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW is published every other week and distributed to
over 3,000 subscribers from 85 different countries. Articles discuss
the activities of people and organizations in many different places
applying current ideas, methodologies, and tools to achieve quality of
life improvements. Reports demonstrate the integration of economic,
environmental, and social equity issues for advancement of sustainable
development. Thanks for joining us.
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IN THIS ISSUE:
1. EDITORIAL: Another Milestone!
2. FEATURE ARTICLE: World Energy Supplies -- Did You Know?
3. GUEST ARTICLE: Rationality, Responsibility, and Sustainability
4. CHALLENGE CORNER: South Africa Tyre Burning
5. READER TALK-BACK: The Subscriber's Feedback Section
6. SD INTERNET RESOURCES
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We want to stimulate an open, uninhibited dialogue. This newsletter
addresses the many sides of sustainable development -- flexible,
integrated, environmental resource planning, policy, and protection
simultaneous to the sound, enduring advancement of neighboring human
communities. In this case, sustainable development implies the
ability of humans to coexist in a manner that maintains wildlife,
wildlands, decent environments, social equality, and economic
well-being today and for future generations.
**********************************
This newsletter is sent only to an opt-in list. We have a copy of
every subscription request on file. If you believe someone has
subscribed you against your will, let us know and we'll look into it.
Or better yet, save yourself some time and just "unsubscribe."
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1. EDITORIAL: Another Milestone!
On 26 May 2000 we enrolled our 3,000th subscriber to SUSTAINABILITY
REVIEW. Congratulations to David Vail from Maine (USA) as subscriber
3,000 to our free, bi-weekly newsletter covering issues pertinent to
global sustainability. This is personally exciting considering our
original expectations of a few hundred. I would like to thank all of
you, our subscribers, for your continued support and interest.
Reaching this milestone, I thought it might be of interest to share
some statistics concerning our subscribers. These statistics are
based only on a small sampling of the total mail list because for many
I do not know individual country location or profession. This should
give idea, however, of how far across societal sectors and around the
world we reach.
Subscribers in 85 different countries receive this newsletter every
two weeks. Some countries having higher subscriptions include the US
(33%), Australia (16%), Canada (14%), the United Kingdom (8%), Germany
(5%), Italy (4%), New Zealand (2%), India (2%), China (1%), and France
(1%). Subscribers from government represent 25%, academia 21%, non-
profit organizations 18%, and in industry 15%. I find it interesting
that also included on our mail list homemakers, factory workers, many
primary education teachers, public service employees, commercial
fisherman, attorneys, farmers, and elected officials.
I ask for the readership's assistance in trying to develop accurate
statistics on the diversity of subscribers. If you would be kind
enough, please answer the following general questions, "cut and paste"
this part of the newsletter, and return your responses to me by doing
a "return" on the e-mail you received this newsletter. There is
nothing confidential in these questions, but be assured your responses
will only be used for purposes of developing general statistics and
then discarded. I will share the results with everybody through a
future issue of the newsletter.
Profession: _________________________________________________________
Country of Residence: ________________ Highest Education: _________
Gender: ________________ Age: _________
Interest in Sustainability: _________________________________________
(Professional or Community-Based?)
Representing Yourself or an Organization? ___________________________
As you all know, there were multiple mailings of Issue #19 of
SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW. Hopefully all of you received a note from me
following this error that explained what happened and what we are
doing to remedy the situation. In a few weeks I will contract with a
more secure and dependable service provider for professionally
managing this very important mail list. I want to sincerely thank
each of you for your patience and support during the "glitch"
regarding distribution of this popular publication. We only had 11
subscribers who "unsubscribed" because of the error in mailing. On
the other hand I received more than 400 e-mails of support. I really
appreciate this show of collegiality.
We are continually trying to reach out to more subscribers so we can
significantly expand viewpoints on sustainability and potential
contribution of new articles to bi-weekly issues. If you know someone
who would like to receive this newsletter, please forward this copy to
them so they can subscribe.
--- This Issue ---
This issue of SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW does something a little different
with our "Feature Article." We incorporate the contributions of
several different sources to examine issues of global energy supply in
a "Did You Know" kind of presentation. This issue's "Guest Article"
develops an interesting theoretical examination by Lucio Munoz on
estimating rationality, responsibility, and sustainability in the way
the public deals with issues.
The CHALLENGE CORNER this week confronts the tyre pollution problem of
South Africa. And as usual, there are several "Talk-Back" reader
comments.
Enjoy!
Warren Flint, Ph.D.
Editor -- SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW
Five E's Unlimited, Pungoteague, VA (USA)
Web site: http://www.eeeee.net
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
------------------- About the Editor -------------------
Warren Flint of http://www.eeeee.net is dedicated to helping people
advance their efforts in sustainable development. His broad
experience in a number of areas under the umbrella of sustainability
has assisted many groups toward integrating environmental, economic,
and social equity concerns into project design and problem-solving
processes. His site is a "portal" for valuable SD information.
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Did you MISS AN ISSUE of SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW or are you NEW TO OUR
LIST? Back issues are found at http://www.eeeee.net/ee02000.htm
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NOTICE: PA Consortium for Interdisciplinary Environmental Policy.
The new Pennsylvania (USA) Consortium for Interdisciplinary
Environmental Policy held its first meeting on April 28, 2000 in
Harrisburg. The PA Departments of Environmental Protection and
Conservation and Natural Resources and twenty-eight institutions of
higher education in PA have created the Consortium. This new
organization has been assembled to encourage greater cooperation
between government and higher education in order to protect and
restore the environment for present and future generations. Questions
about the Consortium can be directed to Don Brown, Acting Director, at
717-721-8755 or via e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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2. FEATURE ARTICLE: World Energy Supplies -- Did You Know?
Combined Contributions from Brian Fleay and Hal Fox
Recently Brian Fleay sent a commentary on the crunch that has arrived
in the global oil industry. About the same time the Institute for
Global Futures Research (IGFR) published projections on fossil fuel
scenarios by Hal Fox in their Global Futures Bulletin (# 105). We
thought it interesting to combine the insights of these two in a "Did
You Know" presentation.
As a starting point of reference, a recent article in the journal
SCIENCE (2000, Vol. 228: 1177-78) suggests that total world energy use
will expand from 1997 measurements of 400 exajoules/yr (10 to the 18th
joules) to 900 exajoules/yr in 2050. The 1997 measures include 85%
from fossil fuels (343 exajoules), 8% from renewable resources, and 7%
from nuclear power. The 2050 estimates project 33% of all energy from
fossil fuels (300 exajoules) and 33% equally from renewable and
nuclear sources.
BRIAN FLEAY: (see: "Climaxing Oil ....": wwwistp.murdoch.edu.au)
Oil supply analysts like Colin Campbell have for years forecast that
non-Persian Gulf oil would peak around 2000. It is now peaking.
Likewise, they believed Persian Gulf production would peak about
2011-12, and the world as a whole between 2006-2008. There is a
growing consensus in the oil industry and among other analysts that
oil production outside the Persian Gulf will peak in 2000-2001. North
Sea oil will peak this year according to the London based Petroleum
Review of February 2000.
The latter forecasts have always assumed that the needed investment in
exploration and oil field development would occur in time, on the
scale required, especially in the Persian Gulf. There is a
substantial backlog of Persian Gulf investment needed to meet expected
post-2000 oil consumption growth. Once the barriers to such
investment are removed it will take about two to four years for this
to translate into oil production.
There is a lack of awareness of the realities of oil depletion,
over-optimistic expectations of the gains to be made by technology,
and inconsistencies in the statistics for production and reserves and
there interpretation, factors that together create a false optimism
and mis-understanding of how tight supply is becoming. In addition,
low oil prices have inhibited investment. Growing populations and low
oil prices have also substantially reduced the per capita income of
oil-producing countries who now have to import food on a substantial
scale to feed their populations. And finally (most important), are
the political constraints to investment. Iraq and Iran have the most
urgent need to upgrade infrastructure. US inspired sanctions
effectively prohibit this, sanctions that now seriously threaten the
political and economic stability of the world.
Only a significant fall in the International Energy Agency's expected
world oil consumption for the year 2000 can reduce the risk of a
supply shortfall later this year, and then only if OPEC lifts its
production quotas. Supply shortfalls are inevitable after 2000 to at
least 2003, due to lack of appropriate investment in the Persian Gulf
countries. If the political obstacles to this investment are delayed,
then the supply shortfalls will last longer. As a consequence the
peaking of non-Persian Gulf oil production in 2000-01 will merge with
the previously anticipated 2006-09 world peak into one decade long
peaking event.
HAL FOX: From: Global Futures Bulletin (GFB), #105, April 2000
Overall fossil fuels demand will grow about 10% between 2000-2010.
Coal is too polluting and is being rapidly replaced by the use of
natural gas.
New energy production methods should penetrate the total energy market
by approximately 10% more between 2000-2010. New energy technologies,
however, should not threaten current oil, coal, and natural gas
markets. Three potentially new technologies include, thermal energy
gained from collapsing the hydrogen atom, electric arcing under water
to produce a water gas for energy, and the discovery of high-density,
charge clusters to produce thermal and electric energy. See GFB #105
for more detail.
Nuclear power will decline. Hot fusion is 20 years away and has been
for the past 40! Cold fusion will find some applications but is not
stable nor robust enough to be considered a major new energy source.
Alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydro, goethermal,
tides, biomass, etc., will provide about 10% of the total energy
market between 2000-2010. Thereafter, the methods of tapping space
energy will be considerably less expensive and enjoy wide-spread
growth.
By 2010 half of all automobiles and trucks will be electric and will
be using on-board battery chargers that tap space energy [maybe
premature?]. By 2020 tapping space energy will be the predominant
method of providing the world's energy. Fossil fuels will be
conserved for use as chemical feedstocks. By 2040 nearly all homes,
offices, and factories will be using stand-alone (off the grid) energy
units that provide electrical, heat, and air conditioning. The
atmosphere will be noticeably better than now.
Geoff Holland (editor of GFB) feels that Hal Fox's scenario is
optimistic - that a significant role for "new-energies" is much
further off, if they do in fact come to widespread fruition. In the
meantime we need to plan for:
- energy conservation and demand side management;
- urban and transport restructuring (e.g. to reduce commuting);
- industrial ecology and co-generation;
- technology-based energy efficiency gains (e.g. hybrid cars,
lightweight materials); and
- development renewable energy sources.
AND FINALLY - A few thoughts to mull over from: "The Mercury's
Rising," February 2000, page 4.
The average car emits from 50 to 80 tons of CO2 over its full life
(Union of Concerned Scientists). In its lifetime, a Honda Civic
produces 40 tons of CO2 and a Ford Excursion produces 134 tons
(Rauber, P. 1999, Sierra - Nov/Dec). A decrease in 10% automobile
weight results in a 6.6% improvement in fuel economy
(http://www.sierraclub.org/global-warming/gwbigstep.html).
Today there are approximately 400 million cars in the world. Sometime
around the year 2030 the world's automobile population will surpass
one billion, with greatest increases in India and China (above Sierra
Club web site). If driving habits remain the same, cars will have to
become nearly three times more energy-efficient (60 mpg) by 2030 just
to maintain present fuel consumption rates, and 20 times more
efficient (400 mpg) by 2100 (Robert Q. Riley Enterprises, 1999).
Americans pay about one-third what people in most of the world pay for
a gallon of gasoline. Gasoline costs about $4.40 (US) per gallon in
France, $4.25 per gallon in the UK, and $3.00 per gallon in Japan
(December 1999 prices - The Mercury's Rising, February 2000).
------------------- About the Contributors -------------------
Hal Fox is editor of the Journal of New Energy (www.padrak.com/ine)
and also President of Emerging Energy Marketing Firm, Inc. The Global
Futures Bulletin can be sampled by e-mailing the Institute for Global
Futures Research (IGFR) at: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Brian Fleay is from
Australia and can be reached at e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"The Mercury's Rising" is a quarterly newsletter publication from A
Project of the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement
([EMAIL PROTECTED]).
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NOTICE: Earth Summit 2002.
Another Earth Summit is in the works for 2002, ten years after the
landmark 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Agenda 21 was born in
1992, which is a global plan of environmental restoration and
sustainable development. Agreement to stage another summit came from
the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development on 9 May
2000. The final decision to hold another summit must be made by the
UN General Assembly.
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3. GUEST ARTICLE: Rationality, Responsibility, and Sustainability:
When Can Human Behavior Have a Chance To Be Sustainable?
by Lucio Munoz
INTRODUCTION
Recently, traditional economic development practices have been under
fire for assuming, on purpose or not, that the social and
environmental externalities associated with economic growth were
either marginal or minimal or non-existent. This is the view that I
call the golden word view where only the economy counts. The evidence
left behind through time appears to indicate that traditional thinkers
have been wrong. It is fair to say, based on the above, that
traditional development practices were environmentally soulless for a
long time. Surprisingly, the golden worldview provides the basis to
the rational economic man theory.
Today, social and environmental responsibility issues are forcing the
inclusion of social and environmental concerns within traditional
economic ways of thinking, leading to a new movement based on
development friendliness. This is the view that I call the non-golden
view, where development can take place even in the absence of money.
The non-golden view is based on a sort of theory, which I call the
responsible man theory, whether at the local or global level. Notice
that two specific forms of the non-golden view are the green worldview
(the environment matters) and the social worldview (society matters).
Both use direct participation and direct benefits as the key drivers
of development.
The natural conflict between traditional economic agents and
development friendliness agents has given way to a movement of team
work, based on the attractive characteristics of the partnership
concept. In general terms, this partnership movement can be thought
as teaming the rational man (golden world view) with the responsible
man (non-golden world view) to produce economic benefits that are
consistent with social and environmental goals.
METHOD
The goal of this paper is to point out the sustainability gaps between
the rational man and the responsible man that need to be eliminated to
achieve sustainable human behavior
A simple behavioral model is used to derive the three possible types
of interactions that may exist between the rational man and the
responsible man. Then characteristics relevant to their internal
structure are used to assess behavior and sustainability. At the end,
some conclusions are provided. The simple qualitative terminology of
this model includes the following:
H = Human behavior h = Non-human behavior
A = Rational man a = Irrational man
B = Responsible man b = Irresponsible man
THE HUMAN BEHAVIOR MODEL
If we assume that there are only two types of humans, those that
follow the rational economic man theory (golden worldview) and those
who hold the responsible man theory (non-golden world view), the
following behavioral model can be used to trace their sustainability
roles:
H = A + B
The above human behavior model (H) states that the sustainability of
human behavior depends on whether or not development choices are
control by the dominance of the rational man (A) or by the dominance
of the responsible man (B) or by their conjunctural interactions.
BEHAVIOR OF THE RATIONAL MAN (H1 = Ab):
When the rational man is the master of the world, he does not have to
meet responsibility requirements (social and environmental) as no
negative impacts are assumed or expected from rational actions. This
is possible mainly because rationality assumes that humans can be
governed by rules, and that human behavior can be predicted and is
homogenous. If everybody is rational, the thought goes, they will
behave as told by rules and as expected from their behavior. However,
when governance is unconnected to direct involvement and when
prediction is unconnected to direct benefits, those assumptions may
not hold true. This is because people usually resist taking
responsibility for actions outside their involvement. Then behavior
predictability may decrease when direct benefits are not included or
considered. Hence, the two gaps, rational governance-direct
involvement and rational prediction-direct benefits, contribute to
unsustainable behavior. These missing sustainability links appear to
work well for rational agents (e.g. rational corporations) as no clear
links imply no clear responsibility to social and environmental
agents.
BEHAVIOR OF THE RESPONSIBLE MAN (H2 = aB):
When the responsible man takes control of the world, he does not have
to fulfil economic rationality requirements as non-economic goals are
paramount. This is possible principally because responsibility
assumes that humans when directly involved and directed toward getting
benefits from their actions, will abandon economic self-interest
behavior and endorse group action and goals at a specific level. If
everybody is responsible, they will act based on their direct
involvement and benefits. However, again when direct involvement at a
specific level is uncoupled from rational governance, and when direct
benefits at a specific level are uncoupled from rational
predictability, again those assumptions may not hold true. This is
because responsible direct actions takes place within an environment
where self-interest is still a strong force and where direct benefits
can not be extrapolated using rational predictability. Hence, again
the two gaps, direct involvement-rational governance and direct
benefits-rational prediction, add to unsustainable behavior. These
missing sustainability links appear to work well for socio-ecological
agents (e.g. responsible NGOs) as no clear links imply no clear
responsibility to rational agents.
BEHAVIOR OF THE RATIONAL RESPONSIBLE MAN (H3 = AB):
When the two characteristics, rationality and responsibility, are
found in the same man, then a rational responsible man is created: a
man capable of displaying sustainable behavior. In other words,
sustainable behavior requires the interaction of both the rational man
(A) and the responsible man (B) to create a unique agent where
involvement-governance gaps and prediction-direct benefit gaps do not
exist. As this takes place, a holistic view is created, where the
actions of the responsible man are constrained by the actions of the
rational man, and vise versa. And this process creates the basis for
the creation of sustainability teams.
Notice that if different men within the rational man's camp are teamed
up to achieve the common goal of economic based development only, we
have an economic team. If different men from the responsible man's
camp are teamed up to achieve social and environmentally friendly
development, we have socio-ecological teams. When members of the
rational camp (H1 = Ab) and members of the responsible camp (H2 = aB)
are paired without eliminating the sustainability gaps mentioned above
(H1 + H2 = Ab + aB), an economic and socio-ecological team still bound
by friction is created.
CONCLUSIONS
The existence of governance-direct involvement sustainability gaps and
predictability-direct benefit sustainability gaps underlies the
unsustainability of the rational man's and of the responsible man's
worldviews. Hence, behavior sustainability can be found only at the
point where humans are both rational and responsible at the same time
since then there are not sustainability gaps. In other words, human
behavior has a chance to be sustainable only when it is rule governed
and predictable because of the presence of direct involvement and
direct benefits at the same time.
------------------- About the Author -------------------
Mr. Munoz is an independent researcher with interests in developing
theoretical and practical applications of sustainability frameworks.
Mr. Munoz works out of the University of British Columbia in
Vancouver, BC (Canada). For comments and questions concerning this
article, contact Lucio at e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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CONFERENCE: Man and City: Towards Human & Sustainable Development.
The Department of Conservation of Architectural and Environmental
Assets of the "Federico II" University of Naples, with the "Suor
Orsola Benincasa" University Institute of Naples, is organizing this
World Meeting in Naples on 6-8 September 2000, as part of the World
Congress of University Professors. The meeting intends to provide a
platform for a critical analysis of "Best Practices" to promote the
humanization of city development. For information contact Dr.
Pasquale De Toro at e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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4. CHALLENGE CORNER: South Africa Tyre Burning
Southern Africa struggles with the effects of waste tyre disposal.
People collect tyres, burn away the rubber and sell the metal wire
contained in the tyre. At times the airport at Cape Town becomes
unusable because of tyre-burning generated smoke!!! Just imagine what
the disadvantaged are inhaling. State funds are slow in coming
forward to address this problem. Some of the following solutions have
been proposed.
1. Establish collection sites for tyres in the metropolitan areas,
initially, where the jobless can deposit the tyres and be
compensated. At 50 US cents a tyre would be heaven to them.
2. Distribute tyres from these sites to recyclers to dispose of
tyres in an environmentally friendly way, replacing some low
grade coal with tyre burning in cement kilns, boilers etc. The
emissions from such a tyre burning are said to be cleaner than
low grade coal.
3. Establish a free consultation group to advise on other
sustainable uses for waste tyres that will economically empower
the unemployed.
4. Establish a free consultation group to facilitate a paradigm
shift on pollution prevention in the poorer communities.
The CHALLENGE to your imaginations and creative juices -- Are there
institutions and/or experts willing to assist technically and
financially with this effort? Please contact George le Roux at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] for more information and to initiate a
discussion group. WHAT DO YOU THINK -- If you have a comment for the
readership to consider, send your idea to [EMAIL PROTECTED] for
inclusion in future issues of SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW.
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THE CAMPAIGN IS ON! Canada Well-Being Measurement Act (CWBMA).
The CWBMA offers an opportunity for public re-assessment of the
purposes of society. The Act (Bill C-469) was introduced in the House
of Commons on April 5, 2000. People care about each other, their
communities and the environment that supports us. By measuring and
regularly reporting on the well-being of these things, the CWBMA can
establish them as valid goals - things we want to maintain and improve
through our tax money and the decision making power that we give
government. The Act's text (at http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain)
calls for the development and regular publication of measures to
indicate "the economic, social and environmental well-being of people,
communities and ecosystems in Canada". Details can be found at:
http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain/index5.html. Or contact Mike
Nikerson at e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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5. READER TALK-BACK
This section offers reader's perspectives on previous articles and
comments in this newsletter. It is your chance to share your own
ideas to continue a constructive discussion on important issues.
Comments can be sent to e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
TALK-BACK #1:
FEATURE/GUEST ARTICLE: Trials & Tribulations of an Environmentalist
(Sustainability Review - Issue 19)
RESPONSE: Frances Fox, Retired, Monterey, CA. e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The report of Paul G. Buescher was revealing, moving, inspiring and
frustrating. One suggestion I have is to enlist the services of those
who have time and energy, i.e. kids and the retired. It is well known
that kids educate their parents on these issues. Science and
journalism teachers could be encouraged to get their kids to form
clubs for these activities. In community colleges, serious work at
the local level should be programmed into the curricula toward
graduation credit. Maybe scholarship or grant money could be an
incentive. Some retired persons would LOVE to feel valued in this way
and could contribute greatly. They are taking to computers and could
be involved in some very creative networking and research by
collecting and sharing data as well as other projects. Those with
real expertise might want to share their skills with the kids by
forming proactive groups, thereby kindling interaction between
generations...a good thing in itself.
My particular hope for the future resides in the Global Resource Bank
(GRB) now being formed. The Bank is structured to provide ample local
as well as global environmental funds. Industrial age money values
are holding us back from achieving global prosperity and restoring the
natural environment. Replacing current debt-money that values
unsustainable production with GRB eco-credit is the solution. Eco-
credit measures the life-supporting value of ecosystem production.
Visit the Global Resource Bank ("The people's bank of ecosystems") at
http://www.GRB.net
TALK-BACK #2:
GENERAL COMMENT: Organic Coffee
RESPONSE: Tim Campbell, University of Wisconsin Extension
Service, Madison, WI (USA). e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
One way we can all contribute to sustainable development is through
responsible buying of products that promote sustainable development.
In that regard, I can vouch for both the quality and credibility of
Cafe Mam at http://www.cafemam.com. Perhaps the finest coffee I've
ever consumed. The sampler is the best way to determine your favorite
type. Considering the amount of coffee consumed by Americans, this
could make a big difference. The growers are in Chiapas, Mexico.
We're also considering here in WI ways in which we can support
sustainable development within the state through investing in
responsible businesses. This is only a concept now but will hopefully
have teeth soon.
TALK-BACK #3:
FEATURE/GUEST ARTICLE: Trials & Tribulations of an Environmentalist
(Sustainability Review - Issue 19)
RESPONSE: Robert J. Gregory, School of Psychology Massey
University Palmerston North, New Zealand, e-mail:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thank you to Paul Buescher for his description and analysis of
Twinsburg. Reminds me of the 3 years I lived in Chesapeake, Ohio --
and noted the muddy Ohio River, carrying silt, dirt, and chemicals and
sewage onwards -- and noted the air, carrying petrochemical odors and
smells daily from the industrial plants located at the corner of
Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia -- and noted the attitudes of people
towards environmental degradation, accept the destruction or suffer
unemployment. There are few choices in Ohio, but I took the
opportunity to move when I could. I live in New Zealand now and the
air is generally very clear, the river I live by has some pollution
but they are making an effort, and the country is still largely
nuclear free. We may not have the wealth that the USA possesses, but
drawing a breath of clear air every morning and through the days and
nights is worth a lot to me and my family. Thanks Paul for sharing
and good luck in your fight.
TALK-BACK #4:
FEATURE/GUEST ARTICLE: Trials & Tribulations of an Environmentalist
(Sustainability Review - Issue 19)
RESPONSE: Stacy Richards, Principal, Stacy Richards & Associates
Strategic Planning for Sustainability,
Harrisonburg, PA ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Paul Buscher's article Trials & Tribulations of an Environmentalist
was poignant and instructive. It was very generous of him to write
it. Yes, the path of leadership is often razor-thin. It's my
experience that working inside the establishment to change a paradigm
is far more personally and professionally dangerous than working from
the outside. But, oh, what resources are often available to create
that shift once inside! It seems to take a different set of skills,
certainly a different language, when you're inside. My observation is
that those on the outside often don't recognize the importance of this
different languaging -- along with a need for proper rhythm and right
timing -- in order to get an important set of inside folks to
understand what's personally in it for them to go along with the
paradigm shift. This lack of recognition leads to the outsiders
abandoning the person inside (S/he's "sold out"). When that happens,
everybody loses. So much trust is needed, and it is often not present
in the quantities required for the long haul.
There are success stories. Environmental and community groups were
enormously effective in influencing the design and mitigating the
impacts of the Central Artery/Tunnel Project during the Boston highway
projects environmental review and design phases (1988-1995). They
understood where they had and didn't have power under the laws and
regulations. They exercised their rights at the appropriate times.
Then, in parts of the process where they didn't have much clout, they
used their collective personal and professional relationships with
those within the federal, state and local agencies (and the media) to
extend their influence. Lots of integrity and trust allowed that to
occur. Very sophisticated teamwork. Lovely. I'm still awed. Thanks
for providing a real service with your newsletter. You stirred up
valuable, empowering memories.
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CONFERENCE: Tech Cooperation: A Chance for Sustainable Development.
CDG Foundation for International Training & Development is sponsoring
an International Symposium at the World Exposition - EXPO 2000 - in
Hannover, Germany on 19-21 September 2000. New technologies and
innovations are contributing to far-reaching changes in the global
market. In this context, sustainable development requires innovative,
modern, and environmentally sound products and production processes.
The information platform of this Symposium will offer opportunities to
exchange information, experiences, opinions, and views on the
potential of international cooperation with experts, managers, and
scientists from all over the world. Contact Carl Duisberg
Geselleschaft at e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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6. SD INTERNET RESOURCES:
Below is a listing of World Wide Web (WWW) sites that offer
information on different aspects of sustainable development readers
might find useful in their work. SUSTAINABILITY REVIEW does not
endorse any one of these sites just because of their appearance here.
***** If you have a favorite sustainable development resource
site, let us know at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Ecovillage Network of the Americas
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