When a former colleague of mine asked me a few weeks ago, which topic had my greatest interest at the moment, I responded without hesitation: sustainable development. As an integrated approach it has so much potential to make this world more just, healthy, and beautiful. In my search for my next dream job I am currently devouring everything there is to read on sustainable development and I am seeing many opportunities for a better world in which there is a balanced attention for People, Planet, and Prosperity.
Michiel Schwarz and Joost Elffers recently introduced the term “sustainisme” describing a new cultural paradigm. “Humanity is moving from modernity to sustainity--towards a world that is more connected, more localist, more digital and, indeed, more sustainable.” According to the authors, BECAUSE of globalization and technological change (with, for example, Facebook building communities and LinkedIn creating networks) this century will see a more localized and personalized world in which global and local do not exclude but strengthen each other. It will change the way “we live, do business, feed ourselves, design, communicate, and build our communities, as much as how we deal with nature.”
Michiel Schwarz and Joost Elffers recently introduced the term “sustainisme” describing a new cultural paradigm. “Humanity is moving from modernity to sustainity--towards a world that is more connected, more localist, more digital and, indeed, more sustainable.” According to the authors, BECAUSE of globalization and technological change (with, for example, Facebook building communities and LinkedIn creating networks) this century will see a more localized and personalized world in which global and local do not exclude but strengthen each other. It will change the way “we live, do business, feed ourselves, design, communicate, and build our communities, as much as how we deal with nature.”
Already, sustainable technologies are more localized. For example, you can install solar panels on your roof and provide for your own electricity. And as a community you can decide to rebuild the water and sewage system using for example the water you use for showering to flush toilets and have a water cleaning installation to turn sewage into biofuel. At the same time, there is increased attention for buying your vegetables and fruits locally. Organic farming is largely small-scale providing to farmers markets and creating a sense of community. Great initiatives that bring a sustainable world closer by.
I personally see a world in which people care for each other (locally and globally), look for personal growth over material growth, where the air is fresh and we can find nature close to our houses (and not have to fly to Indonesia or the Amazon to find it), where there is more social cohesion, more tolerance, where we work for organizations that care about the three P’s (and you as a person!), and where we can live comfortably (I don’t need to live in luxury, just comfortably and, yes, I know that is a subjective term).
How we can contribute to that change on a personal level? I have found already many inspiring ways which you will find from time to time in this blog over the coming year. If you have any, share them!
How we can contribute to that change on a personal level? I have found already many inspiring ways which you will find from time to time in this blog over the coming year. If you have any, share them!
For now, let's start internalizing “sustainism”!
Rose
Very inspiring!
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