Sustainable
Development is Nature’s Way
Sustainability is living according to nature. It is not
an alternative approach to life, just as health is not an
alternative to illness. Nations can have sustainable economies
that regenerate themselves while they produce, and not create
pollution. Foreign policies that are sustainable are constructive,
create friendships, and solve social problems. Non-sustainable
policies are those that ignore the laws of nature. The results
of ignoring the laws of nature are environmental destruction
and pollution, and their social counterparts, war and hatred.
Sustainability is being a good neighbor, and cooperating
to meet common needs and solve common problems. It is obvious
that those in charge of economic policies and international
relations are ignorant of the laws of nature. They are threatening
their own survival and the survival of our planet because
of unsustainable practices based on false premises and false
goals. |
Health
is natural. Peace is natural. In nature the cycles that sustain
life contribute to the well-being of the whole system. An ecosystem
in balance demonstrates the natural laws of justice and economy.
Today people yearn for a healthy, peaceful and just life. At
home, at work, in stable countries and in countries in the
chaos of war, all people want, first and foremost, health,
peace and justice. Why
does it seem so impossible to achieve these, when unthinking
natural systems can achieve them when left alone? When a person
spends time in nature, when one contemplates the grandeur and
intelligence of earth and space, one is humbled. Our world
has been, and still is, ruled by arrogant, predatory men who
have not taken the time to consider nature.
Basing
human social systems and policies on nature is not a romantic
notion; it is purely scientific. Humans are a part of nature
and must behave according to the laws of nature. Our world
crises and conflicts are a result of not taking natural laws
as guidelines for our behavior. On the contrary, those who
call for peace, truth and justice are called "radicals," ridiculed
as "weak," or considered "outside the mainstream." In
the meantime fools take charge of human affairs basing their
policies on lies and treating nature as an enemy or as a whore.
In spite of this upside down state of the world, people are
waking up and consciousness is changing. People are starting
to see that in order to survive we must live in harmony
with each other and with the natural world.
In
the 70’s people asked me why I ate health food. My
response was, “What is the alternative, ‘un-health’ food?” If
the purpose of food is to nourish and maintain health, then food
that does not do this is not really “food.” Now, “health
food” is called “natural food,” or “organic
food” in our supermarkets, and is widely available. It
appears that more people must be demanding so-called “natural
foods” because
more is being offered in mainstream markets.
Other
debates such as “alternative medicine,” “natural
childbirth” and “breast feeding” have followed
the same pattern. They were “counter culture” practices
in the 70’s and now they are accepted, not only as mainstream,
but also as necessary components of overall health. Their merits
are even discussed by politicians and of course, big business
is not far behind. (I am sure that corporations such as Nestlé are
trying to figure out how they can obtain patent rights to women’s
breasts!)
In
past diplomacy and politics peacemakers and internationalists
have been considered too idealistic when confronted with the
competition of national self-interests. Nevertheless, multinational
corporations and a global economy have changed the playing
field of politics forcing countries to consider cooperation
on political, environmental and labor issues. Terrorism and
the response to it is so horrible, sick, frustrating and backwards
because the actors and politicians who are driving current
events are so out of step with the demands and realities of
evolving global consciousness and so contrary to the laws of
nature.
The
evolution of human consciousness is accelerating because dissatisfaction
with the status quo is stimulating the search for alternatives.
This is really a source for hope. So now-a-days when we hear
talk of “alternative
energy” and “environmentally
friendly” manufacturing, we can see an implicit realization
that much manufacturing is environmentally unfriendly, and that
there are viable options different from how things have been
done in the past. Just as health is a preferred alternative to
illness, peace is an attractive alternative to war, friendship
and cooperation seems better than hate, and tolerance more beneficial
than fanaticism. When people realize that good is more natural
than pain and suffering, then their consciousness changes.
Like
"health food" versus "un-health" food,
the choice we now face globally is between sustainable development
and unsustainable development. Only sustainable development is “development,” because
if “development” is not sustainable, it is destructive
and depleting. So sustainable development is not an “alternative,” rather
it is a core criteria for future politics and economics.
Sustainable
economic and political development on a national and global
scale is humanity’s
future. It is the only path to survival,
and also to a healthy, quality life. In the initial stages
its seems to take extra effort and often appears to be costly.
However, the more it is done, the easier it is, because nature
helps us. Sustainable economic
development creates a system of renewability not unlike age-old
agricultural practices or pristine ecosystems. Traditionally,
sustainable agriculture was a rhythm of taking and giving back.
In nature we see balanced ecosystems that are non-polluting
and self-renewing. People can be part of that equation even
though our appetites are large and require greater consumption.
It is a question of developing practices based on respect and
balance with the natural order. There are some ranchers and
farmers who maintain a living economy without hurting the natural
order. Human ingenuity and moderation can develop ways of living
more naturally without sacrificing quality of life. Hope for
the future depends upon working with nature and developing
a consciousness that produces a harmless lifestyle in
balance with our environment.
©
2006 Richard Sidy
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