I think that improving people’s quality of life, while at the same time reducing their ecological footprint is the goal we need to go for. But how to do that? I like how the global renaissance alliance puts it:
“To move towards sustainability requires improving many people’s quality
of
life while reducing humanity’s footprint. Impossible? No. Three
complementary strategies can reduce footprints while not compromising our
quality of life. We can: (i) improve sustainably the bio-productivity of
nature. Our harvests and services per hectare would increase. Examples
include: permaculture, agricultural infrastructure such as terraces on
mountain slopes or careful irrigation, reforestation or the use of solar
energy on unutilized roof areas; (ii) better use the harvested resources
by using less input to produce the same output as in the example of energy
efficient lamps, heat pumps, recycling or climate adapted architecture.
(see also the box on industrial eco-efficiency); (iii) consume less by
consuming less per person and by being fewer people. For example we can
avoid car use or the purchase of disposable products — at the same time
we will save money and may afford more leisure time. This simpler
lifestyle may also put less strain on our health and help us enjoy more
the quality of our lives. Remember, all these strategies have to be used
in a way, that the affected people feel more satisfied.”
posted at 10:19 on Mon, 23 Jan, 2006 |
path: /living
All material copyrighted by Jen Schellinck. All rights reserved.