True sustainability

A definition of sustainability is:

The ability to meet present needs without compromising those of future generations. It relates to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society, as well as the non-human environment. (accoring to CN)

Similar explanation of Sustainability is: Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (America Friends Committee)

Both definitions despite varying contain a similar element that sustainability is about preservation of resources our generation has for the future, without compromise to our current way of life.

With sustainability such a broad term it takes a break down of the components to understand how it can be applied to everyday life for individuals. This is in three parts: Economic, Environmental and Social sustainability. The ways in which each section is to be tackled it out lined in Agenda 21.

The ways in which these Firstly sustainability is about the economy; this is through such targets as to combat poverty, promoting sustainable human settlements, changing consumption patterns, protecting and promoting human health conditions and integrating environment and development in decision-making.

For environmental sustainability this is through a variety of targets such as: protection of the atmosphere, integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources, combating deforestation, managing fragile ecosystems: combating desertification and drought, managing fragile ecosystems: sustainable mountain development, promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development, conservation of biological diversity and many others.


For the social side of sustainability it includes things such as global action for women towards sustainable and equitable development, Children and youth in sustainable development, recognizing and strengthening the role of indigenous people and their communities, strengthening the role of workers and their trade unions and several other targets.


However are these targets viewed as a little unachievable, as there are so many targets to achieve which take a huge amount of resources and money to set up, as well as difficulty in determining how to tackle these issues. An example of this is the aim to tackle poverty. With more than 80% of the world’s population lives in countries where income differentials are widening. According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.” Is there really enough done to tackle poverty or are we not tackling the problems correctly? (Global Issues)


The problems with securing sustainability is that it is not just thinking of short term effects on a local level such as ensuring that there is maximum recycling or optimum use of materials. But there has to be thought on a global scale to long term problems. These problems can not be addressed during one term of government, with changes of priority every time there is a shift in power there is no possibility that projects to achieve long term goals will be continued.

Another difficulty in achieving sustainability is that with continual turmoil of relations between countries not universal goal will be defined. An example of this is that in the G8 meetings 2008, when the richest Countries in the world meet up, Oxfam International Executive Director Jeremy Hobbs was quoted as saying "in the end this summit did not deliver the breakthroughs that are so urgently needed. The consensus reached was shallow at best, especially on climate."
With the view that “The G8 failed to rise to the challenge of a world in crisis, a world that is demanding serious action. We must see renewed leadership in September at the UN Emergency Summit on Poverty and in December in Poland at the vital UN climate talks,” Hobbs. It means that the ideal of reaching sustainability is threatened by each countries greed and hidden agenda as unanimity to one aim is not possible. (Oxfan International)

Another large threat to sustainability is MONEY. The big word which affects all, as currently the economy is struggling the government must view to tackle issues of short term bail out. This is a destruction from investing in future projects at the current time. Also many of the projects take vast sums of money e.g. the G8 summit fell short of $30 billion for 2010 promise, which could cost 5million lives. (Oxfam International)

Not only is it about money and the right goals but it is also about the attitudes towards achieving these goals. As without everyone taking part to work towards a sustainable environment. As with a culture of throwing away what does not work. Resources are not viewed with the value or care needed to ensure that our predecessors have the same opportunities.

There is also needs to be a greater emphasis on education of what we as individuals can do. As until a trip to my local recycling centre i had no idea that light bulbs had a specific bin.

In my opinion there are to many great issues obstructing the possibility of securing a sustainable future. But the ideal should not be given up on as there is still a possibility of achievement.

References:

American Friends Service committie, Glossery of International Trade Terms, Avalible, http://www.afsc.org/TradeMatters/ht/d/sp/i/13425/pid/13425 [Accessed 27.03.09]

CN - North America's Railroad, Glossery of Terms, Avalible, http://www.cn.ca/en/responsibility-safety-glossary.htm [Accessed 27.03.09]

Global Issues, (2009) Poverty Facts and Stats, Avalible, http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats [Accessed 27.03.09]

Oxfam International (2008), Pressure piled on the UN now as G8 leaders fail to rise to the challenge of a world in crisis, Avaliable, http://www.oxfam.org/en/pressroom/news/2008-07-09/pressure-piled-un-now-g8-leaders-fail-rise-challenge-a-world-crisis [Accessed 27.03.09]

HOME

For this blog i am looking at the sustainability of where i live. Tokers Green is a small Village on the border of Reading and South Oxfordshire. However where i live is in vast contrast to the current Biggest town Reading and the historical City of Oxford.

The super out put area is South Oxfordshire 020A, however there is very little information avaliable about this area as as this area covers 3small villages, two golf courses, Mapledurham Estate house and numerous farms. The area is beautifully hilly and green, however the busy A4074 runs behind Tokers Green and during school hours there is large amount of traffic running through the village as the local school within Kidmore End is sort after, as it has the quaint village, community style of a Church of England School.

There is a total population of 1,544 within April 2001. With 38.95% of People aged 16-74: Economically active: Employees Full-time it is lower than the 46.09% within South Oxfordshire (Non-metropolitan district). However there is an extremely high proportion of the population within this superout put area of people People aged 16-74: Self-employed of 14.78% which is far higher than the national average of England which is 8.32%.

Not only is there high self-employment within the area but there is a generally higher levels of education achieved within this area between levels 2 - 5 being the higher than within both the South East and England.

The area in thriving in its levels of employment and education but it also has a high level of house holds with cars or vans as only 5.56% of the houses do not have a car or van while in the rest on South Oxfordshire 12.74% have no cars or vans per a house hold. This is the down fall of living within this area is that there is limited public transport. As there is only a bus route along the A4074 running between Reading and Oxford or by walking over 20minutes to the next settlements. This causes a high density of traffic within the area, as well as limiting the elderly within the community as they are unable to walk the distance to the bus stops.

There is a sense of community spirit at times, as in the past five years the community have grouped together for fundraising to refurbish the park and to reconstruct a pond. However newer families are moving in from the Cities with large gates, a loss of identity might be lost.

References:

http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jessionid=ac1f930c30d7e14947527f424ebc91268339c3727cf0?m=0&s=1235561163626&enc=1&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssvg=false&nswid=1003

Education

United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

'...to integrate the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning. This educational effort will encourage changes in behaviour that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for present and future generations.'

The education system is changing to incorporate sustainable development, this will encourage future generations to think of their own and others impact upon their environment. Not only will education emphasise the fear of global warming which we can not escape being told but also on the greater impact of our every day living e.g. the life of our co cola cans.

Education for sustainable development enables pupils to develop the knowledge, skills, understanding and values to participate in decisions about the way we do things individually and collectively, both locally and globally, that will improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet for the future. There are opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding of sustainable development within the school curriculum, in particular their work in geography, science, PSHE and citizenship. (National Curriculum, 1999)

However like many of my peers i had only really touched on the subject of sustainable development within geography lessons. But sustainability is such a vast subject which can be integrated into all parts of our life, I feel that it should also be integrated into all parts of the education system, not just to memorising facts within geography lessons. An example of this could be within the Art classrooms. As i remember throwing away many materials without thought other than card which typically went into the recycling bin. As sustainability is not only about resources it would have probably save my family and school a great amount of money if i had been more resourceful with my projects. (Which after marking usually went into the bin.)


With sustainable development now within the curriculum for key stage 3 and 4 within geography has posed a problem for teachers, as they are unaware how to start. While witching teachers TV it demonstrates fun and encouraging ways to incorporate thinking about sustainability not only within geography lessons but within other subjects such as Design Technology where the main thought is to resources.


By using this technique it takes the stereotypical idea of designing an 'Eco-friendly' house to everyday situations from the food we eat to the transport we used to get to school. Not only will this develop the children's knowledge of sustainable living but also their families as children wish to share the knowledge they learn with everyone around them!!!!


This module has not only provided me with a greater knowledge of sustainability but also developed a variety of skills. As until this course i had never had to take part in a formal debate, write a blog or use a video camera. The skills from this unit will be transferable and useful to future modules.



References
https://webmail.northampton.ac.uk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=27234%26URL_DO=DO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION=201.htmlHaigh, M., (2005), Geography and the 'European Year of Citizenship through Education. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, 29, 173-182.

Mr Martin Selman, (2007), Design and Technology- sustainability:making a start [online], Teachers TV, Avalible, http://www.teachers.tv/video/3305 [Accessed 18 Febuary 2009]

Programmes of study and attainment targets, (1999), Education for Sustainable Development, [online], National Curriculum, Avalible, http://curriculum.qca.org.uk/key-stages-1-and-2/learning-across-the-curriculum/education-for-sustainable-development/index.aspx?return=/search/index.aspx%3FfldSiteSearch%3Dsustainable+development, [Accessed 18 Febuary 2009]

Our Time

Currently there is an economic CRISIS!!! We all know it as there is no avoiding the constant chatter and new about it. So does this mean that this crisis can be positive for sustainable development?

Well here is some facts and figures about it: with unemployment rising to 1.97million between October and December it is the highest level since 1997. For January, the number of those getting job seeker's allowance added 73,800 to reach 1.23 million.
The unemployment rate hit 6.3%, the highest since 1998, and comes as The Bank of England recently warned of a "deep recession" for 2009. Continually on the radio and TV they are giving advice for those who are unemployed to seek out Citizens advice, who are pitching for those out of work to take part in voluntary work and education. One video that demonstrates a person facing the down fall is on http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7882745.stm.

My view of this is mixed. Firstly it could be positive as with a reduction of income for families, living costs will be cut to what is within the necessary needs. Meaning that there is less consumption.

However can this really change a persons' living habits? As to me when going past the large retail shops such as DFS and Curries the car parks are still full. The towns are still buzzing with people spending. To me despite shop closer and a cut in jobs those that have not been hit are splashing out using what money they have without a care. People will continue to see the HUGE red sale signs in the window and take advantage of a "deal".

Though there will be an increase in reuse of products, such as greater second hand car sales. This can only be seen as a positive out look of what is though of as such a bad time.

So will people cut down or live for today? To me those that are really hit with loss of jobs will have no choice while others continue to spend and consume outside of their needs.

But after this period and life picks up it can not be predicted as to if the population will learn from this mistake of human greed or cut down to the essentials. I hope that this situation will bring about change for the better, with people living within their means.

Reference
BBC News, (2009), UK Job loss total at 1.97 million, BBC News, Available,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7882745.stm [Accessed 16.02.09]

Traffic Survey

Last Thursday we started the day wonderfully by stepping outside in the freezing cold as 8 in the morning. This was after we had re-arranged collecting the beautiful clothing.

We split into 2 groups; with one heading out to stand and count the cars as they entered the University, as well as the amount of people within the car. While we continued into the University to find people who had already arrived (and stay warm) to ask them a questionnaire on their modes of transport to the University as well as their attitudes towards the impact of commuting.

We collected most of out of our results from asking people within the canteen or waiting eagerly for the library to open. From the people we asked all did not live within halls, and mainly travelling in long distance. Those that took the car and did not share was not particularly intrested in the enviromental impact.

This survey despite the early morning was intresting to carry out and has provided useful information. However if i repeated doing this research i would change it that so that there was a greater over view of diversity of people in that; ensuring there was a consistant number of people living on and off campus as well as a more even spread of people across the subjects as to their opinion of sustainable transport. As when asking the questionnaire it reflected that those who cared about the impact of their travel upon the environment was taking to applied sciences however when looking at the statiscs it is even to those studying business.

There was few people asked for the arts as that school of education is mainly held as Avenue campus. Therefore to get a spread of data questinnaires could have been also taken at Avenue campus. Another point of thought is asking a spread of those in halls would be to knock on flats and ask pople who are currently within there halls the questionnaire.

Making Light Work of IT.

As individuals we each have our own views upon sustainable development. We all know we should do out little bit. Our own tinny carbon footprint can be calculated (http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home.html?gclid=COWc_ryP9ZgCFQxHQwodOHzx1w&gclid=COWc_ryP9ZgCFQxHQwodOHzx1w) , and how to reduce it is available to all to find. However do we really want to know this?

Are we not in denial of what we are capable of doing? As our individualist behaviour prevents us from further development. As we should act together to tackle the problems.

So there is no more excuses of its not down to me. Its for all of us to take charge of our own responsibilities and do our own little bit, as every little helps.

So we should turn off those lights when we are not in the room, turn off the tap when brushing our teeth and use the right bin for our waste so it can be recycled. As after all its all of our planet to look after and our home so look after it. Not only working individually can we help but also as teams of volunteers around the world work to clean up each others mess. So if we do our bit it, we wont have to rely on the few others who wish to devote their time to changing the damage already done.

But we should use the individualist behvaiour which all humans possess as insentive to change. As we are denying out children and grandchildren the same rights and oppertunities we was porvided with. Is this not enough to encourage people to change?

Also think of the money we can save by switching off out electical equiptment and not leaving it on over night. As according to the Governement we could save up to £300 a year. Ideas to do this are on http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/actonco2/home/in-the-home/save-energy.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term={keyword}&utm_campaign=defra2008Q2&gclid=CMe-g87NypkCFQquGgodvkdDuw. So give it a go and see how big your carbon footprint is and what money your house hold could save.

UN debate

The debate, well while standing up there first was pretty nerve racking, with trembinling hands I managed to struggle through my notes. Which even I knew but was unable to prevent, was the heavy reliance I had upon them. However this debate developed my styles of learning such as communicating to others through email, research and debates.

It was interesting to hear how each country had found a different perspective on sustainable development. With a variation from starting from scratch on a plan to leading helping direct others in the path to sustainable living. As demonstrated through the varieties of approaches a greater step forward can be achieved united, learning from one another. However the US a large country with enormous power ignored their own weaknesses of their resource use to focus on others, such as Africa. Also how not all money would be spent in a similar way. As with the Solomon Islands the money would be to start a programme as nothing had been officially drawn up and implemented for around ten years, and then there would be Columbia using they money to help secure the country from gorilla warfare.

The research for this project was difficult, as there was a huge variation in the information available and what information was relevant. As the decision had to be made as to which direction you would portray about your country. As Lithuania has a high literacy rate but low unemployment rate. So it is difficult to grasp the state in which the country is in. As well as some information found was conflicting as to what the priorities of the country was. So to determine what was most reliable I ordered it according to the date in which it was published.

This project was enjoyable as it was a different style to lectures and greater understanding in how sustainability is a huge subject. I have learnt from it to rely less on notes and to perhaps look at a variety of aspects before choosing a direction.