Environment: Content from Across the ABC


Date/Time 20 Apr 2014 7:19:52am
Your article really angers me. Like you, I love the wild places of the earth and place the health of our earth above all else. I consider myself an environmentalist. But you seem to misunderstand something very important. The term 'sustainability', in fact the idea of sustainability is intended to be broader than environmental protection. It is not a replacement term for your ideals. It is a broader term that rightly considers all aspects of out development as a species, the impact we have on the planet and our likely survival - environmental, economic, social and cultural. It is a term that should make sense to everyone, regardless of the priorities they have. It allows everyone to participate in the discussion, regardless of their individual values. Frankly, your narrow view is no more helpful than that of those who deny climate change or who put put economic development above all else and refuse to consider the implications. You damage the concept of sustainability by what you say! It is no wonder that the bean counters also think sustainability just means environmental sustainability. The term is not yours!. The concept of sustainability is a way of bringing everyone's views to the table so we can progress. Why complain about it?

And lastly, there are so many examples of things we have achieved in recent times to benefit the environment (and the sustainability of our life here on earth). You seem frustrated, like so many environmentalists, but take the time to think about what we have achieved in such a small space of time - protection of wilderness areas, wind farms, development of solar technology, economic reforms, etc etc etc. Not enough for you perhaps but we're doing okay I reckon. Still, without agitators like yourself, the pace would be slower perhaps so for that I thank you.