Fallacy of Global Sustainable Development by A. Terry Rambo
“Sustainable Development: A dominant myth of our time.” - The Fallacy of Global Sustainable Development by A. Terry Rambo “Nature is constant. People are variables, while we can’t change the weather, we can always prepare for it.” – Lloyd Luna Adaptive development instead of Sustainable Development – this is the idea of the article written by A. Terry Rambo. Since people focused more on population, food, energy and economic issues, the global environment issues are being degraded. This results to loss of agricultural lands, loss of biodiversity and growing pollution. Sustainable development as defined by World Commission on Environment and Development chaired by Brundtland, “is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own need…” With this, according to Rambo, sustainable development will remain a dominant myth of our time because it will always be Environment vs. Development. We can’t deny that improvements were made at the expense of large environment. Rambo also introduced “Adaptive Development” where we should improve our capability to cope with inevitable changes, slow the environment degradation and adapt to changes that we can’t prevent. Whatever issues are being stressed, it will be all connected to environment because everything in this world is interconnected with each other. Adaptation has been the process and strategy of people since long, long time ago and it has always been successful. Thus, adaptive development might also succeed in our time. But the question is, will it still be successful even our climate change today does not follow the natural process just like before? We’ve reached this generation because our ancestors have able to survive by adapting to the changes on the environment. But those changes took hundreds of years and even a million of years, compared to the changes today that took only a year, a month and worst, even a day! Will we survive if we stick on a strategy of adaptation?... Yes! We need to adapt to changes we can’t prevent. But considering our global present situation, we also need to take extra measures. We need extra efforts, extra strategies for today’s extra climate change! I am not saying that adaptive development won’t be a solution on our distressing environment issues today. In fact, it will definitely be a very good solution and strategy. But, let us not forget that sustainable development is still possible because it will only fail when we habitually make small mistakes and let our desire of greediness took over. Whether “Adaptive Development” and/or “Sustainable Development”, a problem is more manageable when we see it coming. Rather than stressing ourselves on what has gone, why not be busy on saving what remains. We still have the World’s half resources. In Mindanao and Philippines as a whole, we still have Rio Grande de Mindanao. The removal of water hyacinth and the dredging of the sediments on the riverbed that caused the flood last 2011 have saved the floating city. But, it might be a one-shot solution only. We should make sure that it won’t happen again so people’s living won’t be destroyed anymore. Making use of water hyacinth is one, planting trees on the riverbank and preventing more pollution to come to the river - these are only few of the solutions that we can do. There are still a lot of it that are yet to be learned. When Rio Grande de Mindanao will be totally saved (which is not impossible!), Ginakit Festival of Cotabato City in the river will be held more successful, more activities could be done and more tourists will come to witness the historical arrival of Shariff Kabunsuan in the river. This is clearly a development in tourism industry of Cotabato City while taking care of the river. That is Sustainable Development! And, Sustainable Development is possible indeed!#shye Hawai'i 2050 Issues Book
“Hawai‘i’s future is truly in our hands. We can chart a course for a preferred future, or let the winds of change determine our destination. As an island society, we must develop and perhaps invent the tools and infrastructure to shape our destiny, but it will take individual and community action and political will. We must be focused and disciplined, as well as creative, imaginative and visionary in our approach.” - Hawaii 2050 Issue Book The Honorable Russell S. Kokubun Hawai‘i State Senator Chair, Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force The words of Honorable Kokubun talk about how his people should react on the contemporary environmental changes that is happening globally, starting on their very own state – Hawai’i. As quoted from Lloyd Luna, “It’s not what happens around us that matters. It’s how we respond to what happens”. It is always on how we respond on things. People could always have a choice on how they wanted to put up things. We could always choose the results we wanted to happen or just let it happen. Saving Rio Grande de Mindanao is a decision that will result to live harmoniously with the nature. The choice is also the decision. If we decide to take actions for a better Rio Grande de Mindanao, we also choose to save it; and, if we will let things happen and just stand still, it is also a decision – A decision not to decide and a choice not to choose. We all have the power of will and We – Maguindanaons should not let ourselves with other factors that discourages our will to make Rio Grande de Mindanao as Haven of the Maguindanaons. On the issue book, it is also written that, United Nations conference refined the concept to include “a balancing or integration of environmental, social, and economic issues.” “Balancing or integration of environmental, social, and economic issues” – this concept is related on the idea of Ecotourism. It would be ‘hitting three birds with one stone’. This concept is like tailored-made to Rio Grande de Mindanao. The river is historical and religiously important with the people. It is the birthplace of Islam in the land of Maguindanao. Socially, people are being recognize through their showcasing of their traditions and culture on the annual festival held at the river. Just like with ‘Aina in Hawaii, “it is the foundation of their cultural and spiritual identity as Hawaiians” – Rio Grande de Mindanao is a haven for Maguindanaons’ cultural and religious identity. .Economically, Cotabato City will be developed through their tourism activities on the river. But, both economic and social development won’t be realizable if we let Rio Grande de Mindanao be drowned into darkness of pollution. Before the social and economic problem, environment problem should be solved first. With this, integration of the three issues focusing on the Rio Grande de Mindanao will be a great solution. There are these words I quoted from the Hawaii 2050 Issue Book that I wanted to realize by ALL of us, ”The way we choose to use our land dictates much of our identity and the manner in which we live.” Boulder, Colorado Issues
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Part I. City and County of Boulder: Leading the Way in Green
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“Boulder’s reputation as an environmental leader didn’t happen overnight or by accident.”
- Part I. City and County of Boulder:
Leading the Way in Green
Eco-vehicles, Zero waste program, healthy living practices, renewable energy, climate and weather research, research facilities are the things that make Boulder lead the way in green. While some people accuse the science to be the reason of our Global environment problems, the City of Boulder has made science as the answer with their environmental problems.
After I read the article, “Part I. City and County of Boulder: Leading the Way in Green”, I checked my map and saw the city of Boulder belongs to the State of Colorado, one of the States of USA. America is known to be a highly industrialized continent. Despite of this status, City of Boulder has made it to leading the way in green. I went back to my first reading which is “Fallacy of Global Sustainable Development” where these words are written: “…less industrialized existence in which humans live in frugal harmony with nature…” Then I realized, Philippines is less industrialized specifically our place Maguindanao. Yet, despite of being less industrialized, the said place cannot lead the way to greener environment and people can’t live in harmony with nature. Calamities in our country such as soil erosion and the most famous, floods are the evidences that we cannot live harmoniously with nature.
Readers might misinterpret me. But believe me; I am not saying that a place needs to be industrialized to lead the green path. I am just saying that people should not lose hope on rising from a fall. Instead of envying other places, why can’t we realize that if a place from America made it to leading the way in green, why can’t we? It is possible, definitely possible! It is just a matter of determination and faith on the things you wanted to achieve.
Philippines is one of the megadiversed countries in the World. And one of its great rivers is Rio Grande de Mindanao. We should not afford to lose it. We all have the resources and all we need is effort. The Executive Order 26 – National Greening Program initiative is a very good example of the efforts we need. Whether using science or hand in saving the environment, it doesn’t matter! What matters most is our action to reach green!#shye
- Part I. City and County of Boulder:
Leading the Way in Green
Eco-vehicles, Zero waste program, healthy living practices, renewable energy, climate and weather research, research facilities are the things that make Boulder lead the way in green. While some people accuse the science to be the reason of our Global environment problems, the City of Boulder has made science as the answer with their environmental problems.
After I read the article, “Part I. City and County of Boulder: Leading the Way in Green”, I checked my map and saw the city of Boulder belongs to the State of Colorado, one of the States of USA. America is known to be a highly industrialized continent. Despite of this status, City of Boulder has made it to leading the way in green. I went back to my first reading which is “Fallacy of Global Sustainable Development” where these words are written: “…less industrialized existence in which humans live in frugal harmony with nature…” Then I realized, Philippines is less industrialized specifically our place Maguindanao. Yet, despite of being less industrialized, the said place cannot lead the way to greener environment and people can’t live in harmony with nature. Calamities in our country such as soil erosion and the most famous, floods are the evidences that we cannot live harmoniously with nature.
Readers might misinterpret me. But believe me; I am not saying that a place needs to be industrialized to lead the green path. I am just saying that people should not lose hope on rising from a fall. Instead of envying other places, why can’t we realize that if a place from America made it to leading the way in green, why can’t we? It is possible, definitely possible! It is just a matter of determination and faith on the things you wanted to achieve.
Philippines is one of the megadiversed countries in the World. And one of its great rivers is Rio Grande de Mindanao. We should not afford to lose it. We all have the resources and all we need is effort. The Executive Order 26 – National Greening Program initiative is a very good example of the efforts we need. Whether using science or hand in saving the environment, it doesn’t matter! What matters most is our action to reach green!#shye
Part II: Boulder's Climate Action Plan (2011)
As part of Boulder’s “Leading the Way in Green” - they have this Climate Change Action Plan. Their programs and projects are designed so good that could be applied by other places who wanted to have a healthy environment. Reduce use – on consumption management, build better – the eco-friendly buildings, renewable energies, travel wise – with B-cycle and low emission vehicles, waste not, and grow green are the programs and projects of Boulder’s Climate Change Action Plan. But these words from the article struck me:
“Climate action is shared initiative in which the city is facilitator, collaborator, supporter, regulator, leader and funder.”
Indeed, community should be involved. Initiators are not enough because it’s the people of the place that are considered to be the body of implementation of a certain project/program. The people themselves can decide whether to sustain the project or not. The biggest part of implementation lies on their hands. But if not, it will be a one-shot project. In the article, it is also written:
“But real progress is shaped by the individual decisions and actions that we each make every day”
With this, I am hopeful that I can involve the people of Rio Grande de Mindanao on implementing my Personal Action Plan. I would like them to see for themselves and make them realize how beautiful the river is – that we should take care of it because it is calling for our hands!#shye
“Climate action is shared initiative in which the city is facilitator, collaborator, supporter, regulator, leader and funder.”
Indeed, community should be involved. Initiators are not enough because it’s the people of the place that are considered to be the body of implementation of a certain project/program. The people themselves can decide whether to sustain the project or not. The biggest part of implementation lies on their hands. But if not, it will be a one-shot project. In the article, it is also written:
“But real progress is shaped by the individual decisions and actions that we each make every day”
With this, I am hopeful that I can involve the people of Rio Grande de Mindanao on implementing my Personal Action Plan. I would like them to see for themselves and make them realize how beautiful the river is – that we should take care of it because it is calling for our hands!#shye
What's in Your WATER?
From Boulder Magazine - Summer 2012
Water is H2O, hydrogen two parts, oxygen one,
but there is also a third thing, that makes it water
and nobody knows what that is.
- D. H. Lawrence
Water is obviously essential to every living organism on Earth. But what is happening today? It seems like “WE” do not need water but instead “water” needs us! Water needs us for it to be conserved and preserved. It needs us to be protected and taken care of. And the cycling thing is, WE need to do those things because we need water.
Awareness is important in everything. Being aware of the “real” difference between bottled water or tap water is important. People should not rely on the things they see, hear or read. That is why personal investigation is essential. People should consider many factors that would affect the reliability of the things we know from other people. It might be business, politics and other matters. Indeed, the article “what’s in your water?” from Boulder Magazine is very informative.
D.H. Lawrence word is a wonderful thought to think of - maybe someone knows the “third thing” or maybe no one. It could be discovered or would remain unknown forever. But I’ve seen one thing that Lawrence is trying to imply, God knows the “third thing” and it is up to Him if He will let us discover it or not. But the real thought here is, we should take the lead or even action to preserve our water for it is one of the greatest things God has given to us.