Sustainable Culture points of change:
Environmental restoration must replace
environmental destruction.
Neighborhood/community must meet everyoneís
basic needs.
State/nation to be appropriate size (limited
to bioregional boundaries?)
Equal participation in (local self-)
governance
Equal status among sexes, races. Such
divisions should not be part of the new culture.
No domination by religions.
Science and technology must be ethical first,
instead of "progress" oriented.
Freedom of expression and movement for all,
except when it would harm others or the Earth.
No pollution beyond ability of ecosystem to
recycle.
Human population size kept, compassionately,
below maximum carrying capacity of ecosystem.
De-commodify people (labor).
No international currency speculation (false
capital), or highly tax it.
Collectives for business and projects, as
opposed to: capitalism, which should be confined to local-family or
small business.
Nature and species (including humans) are
fully respected (no compromise).
No ownership of more (land or materials) than
what one can personally use for comfortable survival.
People need economicóand not just
transportationóalternatives to the awful commute.
Principles
ó
1. Green is the color, if there is to be one, for the new
culture. Raise the Earth flag.
2. No exclusion, exceptions or sacred cowsóeverything in the dominant
culture can be questioned.
3. Equitable relations between people and nations are first priority
along with
cutting pollution; the consideration must not be what country wants
what.
4. There are limits. Resources are dwindling. Regeneration is limited.
5. All decisions must consider the limits of natural resources.
6. Maximum load usage: our fair share per capita of load on planet.
7. Entropy (waste and disorder from expending energy) is too intense
with our
current load.
8. Balance is required between mind, heart and action.
9. Science to be subservient to ethical considerations for society and
nature.
10. Stop advancing science and technology just because we can (e.g., no
genetic engineering of peopleís food without their consent).
11. Environmental decisions cannot place profit above benefit to common
good.
Public perception example: many people believe the West Coast U.S.
energy crisis was created in order to exploit ANWR and jack up electricity
rates in California. Even environmentalists believe this as the sole
explanation, while ignoring the massive consumption that has escalated out
of control. Supplies are limited coming out of Earthís dwindling
petroleum fields, but on we burn.
