Environmental Sustainability - Assignment Example

Environmental Sustainability Lecturer An anthropogenic approach closely aligns to my view on the significance of human in relation to the bio/ecosphere. Notably, this approach clearly argues that humans are the most significant species on earth and as such, the core of the relationship between man and other species. I firmly concur with this approach given that, in relation to environmental sustainability, the problems created in the environment are believed to be caused by human beings as they have got the overall control. For instance, it is estimated that about 40 per cent of net primary product with the terrestrial environment is primarily being co-opted by man annually Wilson (2006). Man use material directly and indirectly and as such making the material flow to various consumers and decomposers through different ‘nature-created’ paths. In simple words, large amount of resources are directed to a single species, man, while the vast majority species are left to share the small remainders. Such resources include water, land, air and other living things. Therefore, through this, man has gradually become the major species in destroying the earth through various activities which are indeed meant to make a man’s life worth a living. Activities such as mining, destruction of forest to pave way for settlement and farming and use of oil products have significantly resulted to change of climate and weather patterns leading to floods, earthquakes and droughts. In addition to the above, various ways of conserving the environment that have been proposed are basically meant to make a man’s life comfortable. In other words, establishing and maintaining a sustainable environment is necessary for the welfare of human beings and not necessary for the environment and other species. Still, it may be meant to conserve other species but at the long run be a major benefit to man. For instance, in addressing global warming, the main focus is not primarily on saving the water catchment areas or even decreasing the size of water bodies which have been on the increase in the last three decades, but it is majorly on saving the aforementioned resources for the future generation. Similarly, campaigns to save the ozone layer are meant to protect the environment; however, to be more honest and specific, the campaigns are basically aimed at protect the lives of human beings or to they are done for the sake of man’s survival. The above is quite given the fact that Joseph & Norrie (2005) argue that environmentalists in most cases argue in favour of protecting and maintaining the environment so as to save man populations (Steiner 2005). Indeed, the above to some extents explain the reason as to why there are various campaigns strategies including those directed at saving the forests so as to reduce global warming and reduce the sea level which otherwise would threaten the survival of man, protect the wild animals and plants so as to preserve them for the enjoyment of the future generation, preserve lands for farming in order to reduce famine and drought, and so on (Wilson 2006). 2. Indeed, communities can help in showing the way forward in relation to delivering environmental sustainability through community based initiatives. Notably, according to Delanty (2003) environmental sustainability has risen to become a significant nexus for various disciplines which are primarily related to social justice, globalization, poverty and resource allocation, and so on. The author argues that the aforementioned issues are entangled with notions of human relationships and the development of the society which majorly depend on the appropriate use of the environment. Therefore, with the argument that sustainability is an important concept in the current global world which is characterised by individuals with complex and competing values, it is therefore, important to attempt to reconcile processes of production and consumption so as to ensure environment quality, economic development, and social equality. Community based initiatives have been the major keys in promoting the above, and it has been evidence in various regions. In his studies, Clarke (2005) noted that community engagement through community based initiatives is a key basis of environmental sustainability. They noted that, the initiatives assist students in learning how to appreciate various experiences that impact individuals, community and the environment. One way that that the community based initiative may and have assisted in promoting environmental sustainability is through encouraging sustainable consumption and lifestyle. Indeed, this may be done through assisting members in changing their sustainable practice that negatively impact the environment. The community based initiatives may achieve the above by providing new resources to people and familiarizing them with rules that encourage sustainability. However, it is significant that the members are encouraged to enact the rules (Cannan 2000). Indeed, through the above, individuals are driven towards a collective responsibility of maintain environmental sustainability. For instance, the community in Meanwood Church of England primarily School in Leed, established a school travel initiative which aimed at ensuring children safety as they travelled to school. More importantly, the initiatve aimed at reducing road congestion as a result of the state of the road leading to school. Still, it aimed at reducing energy consumption in the community (Clarke 2005). In addition to the above, there are various sustainability problem mostly related to social, economic and environmental that affect different regions. As Carolan (2005) argues, the community has a significant role in providing solution for such problems. This is majorly related to the fact that a community is basically a set up whereby members have shared powers and as such may be fully be involved in decision making related to sustainability. Indeed, this has also been noted by Transition Network which has noted that communities have gone ahead to initiate projects related to transport, education, and energy, waste and housing in response to global challenges such as decrease in cheap energy, economic hardship and climate change. This also gains the support of Canaan who argues that community development programs have a core role in addressing environmental crisis and assist in designing sustainable features. Nevertheless, he points out that this is only achievable if the initiatives provide new infrastructures and organizational resources to the members (Charnock 2007). 3. Warneford Meadow has been in its natural state for the past century. The residents used it for recreation purposes including exercise, dog walking, astronomy and fruit picking. Initially, the land was purchased by Warneford Hospital for the purpose of providing a natural environment for the psychological patient and local community. However, in 2006, the NHS made an application to develop the area including other regions in Warneford Hospital grounds. The plans were dismissed by Oxford City Council but the land remained as a development site in the plans of Oxford City Council (Oxford Mail 2010). While NHS application were still being considered, one of the resident applied for Meadow to be considered as a Town Green; that is, the site would never be developed and as such remain the way it has been, for the future generation. This application was subjected to objection especially from Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Mental Health NHS Trust who is the main owner of the site. A review was carried out which supported the area to be a Town Green and the County Council adopted it. As a result of this, OBMH applied for Judicial Review over the decision. In its objection OBMH argued that the land has not been used for lawful sports in the past 20 years as a right and by a given number of the local people; the sign erected in 1989 rendered the site as a private property with intention to develop it, and it was not open for the authority to declare that the area should be a Town Green (Friends of Warneford Meadow). On the other hand, the defendant argued from the set out rules in Common registration Act 1965. Nevertheless, the court ruled to the favour of the residents ( Oxford Mail 2010). Indeed, one may agree that the decision made was the right one in delivering environmental sustainability. The meadow is home to different species such as invertebrates, butterflies, birds such as kingfishers. Additionally, they are varieties of apple and furthermore, it is a green corridor that joins Thames and South Park. Given the fact that it has been like that for many years and provided the community with a unique natural environment surrounded by changing environs, it is therefore, becomes a natural heritage which should be conserved for the future generation. As such, by registering it Town Green, thus, keeping it intact and safe, the innumerable wild animals and plants are out of danger of being extinct. It is widely believed that if a natural site undergoes construction or any other kind of development, habitat fragmentation is bound to occur. Small animals and invertebrates are vulnerable; in some cases, other vertebrates such as birds may migrate to other habitat. Indeed, setting it as Town Green ensured that there would be continuity of the area; that is, the natural environment is maintained as a whole and people are considered to be part of it. As noted, the environment was conducive for the psychological patients and therefore, played a major role in providing a natural ‘touch’ which would not be felt in other places. 4. The question as to whether sustainable development is possible has been subjected to interesting debates in the current world. However, one may strongly argue that the current indicators clearly depict that it may be impossible to achieve sustainable development. Climate is one major issue affecting the current world and the saddening fact is that little is being done in addressing the issue. Indeed, protecting the climate requires cooperation from all powerful states and it should not be imposed on other poor countries by the powerful and affluent minority. While addressing development, little actions have been considered on preventing global warming as a result of high carbon growth and other environment constrained factors (Schmidt et al. 2011). Simply put, it is highly unlikely that sustainable development will be achieved as climate crisis has not been fully addressed according. As Richardson & Wood (2006) note, addressing cutting levels of green gas emissions in all countries from the current level is not the only way to address climate crisis. Still, the solution to this crisis cannot be accepted if other inequalities related to climate are not considered. Therefore, in order to be certain of sustainable development, climate protection must be accompanied by other desirable outcome related to it including equality (O’ Hara 2004). Another reason that may hinder sustainable development is related to finance induced crisis. Notably, there is no comprehensive recovery program that has been put in place to address issues relating to economy. Indeed, the developing and under developing countries have been the main victims of the above. This is due to the fact that inasmuch there are recovery programs for the above purpose; the aforementioned countries are rarely included. This has significantly resulted to increase in poverty, famine and hunger. Notably, it is argued that the climate changes have greatly impacted the developing countries especially in Africa which experiences long spells of famine regularly (Page & Connell 2008). Industrialization especially in the developed countries has greatly contributed to negative effect on the climate. This is worsened by the fact that the waste materials from these countries’ industries are dumped in the developing countries. Additionally, less awareness of ecological deterioration and resources depletion as a result of unsustainable consumption and production has been carried out in some parts of the world. Notably, in some countries there has been overemphasises on climate change while the decline of natural resources, degradation of environment through various human activities, water pollution and, loss of biodiversity and forests due to ecological loss and degradation has been to some extent been neglected (Baxamusa 2008). On the other hand one may argue that indeed, the above challenges affecting sustainable development are being addressed in various forums across the global. However, the fact remains that increased in inequality in dealing with the aforementioned issues will continue laming sustainable development and as such making it impossible to develop the current world in order to meet its needs while at the same time protecting or making it possible for the future generation to enjoy and meet its own needs. References Baxamusa, M. 2008. Beyond the limits to planning for equity. London: Routledge. Cannan, C. 2000. The environmental crisis, greens and community development. Community Development Journal , 35 (4): 365-375. Carolan, M. 2005. Realism without reductionism: toward an ecologically embeded sociology. Human Ecology Review , 12 (10): 1-20. Charnock, G. 2007. Grass roots village action inspires othe communities to take on the challenge of climate change. Local economy , 22 (1): 75-79. Clarke, J. 2005. New labours citizens: activated, empowered, responsibilized, abandoned? Critical Social Policy , 25 (4): 447-463. Delanty, G. 2003. Community. London: Routledge. Joseph, D., & Norrie, A. 2005. Critical realism today. New Formations , 56. Oxford Mail. 2010, March 24. Meadow campaigners celebrate a new dawn. Oxford Mail , p. 1. Friends of Warneford of Madow (n.d.). Plans for Meadow. Retrieved April 11, 2014, from Friends of Warneford of Meadow: http://www.friendsofwarnefordmeadow.org.uk/page.php?pageid=plans Schmidt, M. Onyago, S., & Palekhov, D. 2011. Implementing environment and resource management. New York: McGraw Hill. O’Hara, P. 2004. Global political economy and the wealth of nations. New York: Wiley. Page, S., & Connell, J. 2008. Sustainable tourism. New York: Wiley. Richardson, B., & Wood, S. 2006. Environmental law for sustainability. New York: Wiley. Steiner, G. 2005. Anthropocentrism and its discontents. Pittsburg: University of Pittsburg Press. Wilson, O. 2006. Creation; an appeal to save life on earth. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. Read More