Spring Break
Space and sustainability: realizing the possibilities
Scott Conover
Issue date: 3/3/09 Section: Forum
One of the most popular trends of our time is environmental sustainability. Related to a variety of organizations, from businesses to government to people - even to the UN - this concept has changed from a mere point of view to a fact of life.
Although sustainability is relevant in our time, space exploration and settlement is the long-term solution to our environmental crisis.
Sustainability is useful to an extent, from increasing efficiency and lowering unnecessary consumption and overhead, but the fact of the matter is that environmental sustainability is very unlikely in the long run for a variety of reasons.
In essence, environmental sustainability is about lowering the amount of consumption in our daily, organizational, corporate and national lifestyles. Humans strive to be more efficient while converting all societal processes to a sustainable, or long-lasting, model.
However, this idea is very unrealistic for three basic reasons: death, freedom and government.
The death of each generation of humans makes sustainability impractical, if not impossible.
Though some believe in stem cell research and other revolutionary science, the chances are humans won't live forever.
Since we all die, the people who come after us will not necessarily follow our model of living. Assuring that each generation follows our prescription for sustainable living is an impossible task.
If you give members of a society the ability to choose and think for themselves-freedom-they will each take different actions. If enough people act against the will of the society as a whole, then proponents and activists encounter resistance, which presents a societal dilemma.
Speaking of societies, what about other countries?
As briefly discussed in "Resources and the Social Contract" (Jan. 21, The Daily Barometer) other nations may choose non-sustainable practices because they may prefer to favor economic stability.
Countries such as India and China recognize that, while environmental sustainability is possible in highly developed societies such as in the United States and Europe, being environmentally sustainable in a large scale slows economic growth.
Although sustainability is relevant in our time, space exploration and settlement is the long-term solution to our environmental crisis.
Sustainability is useful to an extent, from increasing efficiency and lowering unnecessary consumption and overhead, but the fact of the matter is that environmental sustainability is very unlikely in the long run for a variety of reasons.
In essence, environmental sustainability is about lowering the amount of consumption in our daily, organizational, corporate and national lifestyles. Humans strive to be more efficient while converting all societal processes to a sustainable, or long-lasting, model.
However, this idea is very unrealistic for three basic reasons: death, freedom and government.
The death of each generation of humans makes sustainability impractical, if not impossible.
Though some believe in stem cell research and other revolutionary science, the chances are humans won't live forever.
Since we all die, the people who come after us will not necessarily follow our model of living. Assuring that each generation follows our prescription for sustainable living is an impossible task.
If you give members of a society the ability to choose and think for themselves-freedom-they will each take different actions. If enough people act against the will of the society as a whole, then proponents and activists encounter resistance, which presents a societal dilemma.
Speaking of societies, what about other countries?
As briefly discussed in "Resources and the Social Contract" (Jan. 21, The Daily Barometer) other nations may choose non-sustainable practices because they may prefer to favor economic stability.
Countries such as India and China recognize that, while environmental sustainability is possible in highly developed societies such as in the United States and Europe, being environmentally sustainable in a large scale slows economic growth.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
John
posted 3/05/09 @ 2:27 PM PST
What??????????? How could you publish this Barometer? This makes no sense, I am so confused right now. Does this guy know what sustainability means? Or anything for that matter? Someone help me, my brain just exploded. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 3/08/09 @ 4:12 PM PST
This article looks far down the road, further then most can conceptualize. Are the ideas feasible? I have no idea, that's above my pay grade. Should the ideas be thought of and expanded on? Sure. (Continued…)
Master_Dan
Scott
posted 3/08/09 @ 4:14 PM PST
It makes sense to me, perhaps the gentleman above is unaware that this was printed in the forum, that means opinions will vary, I for one know what sustainability is and agree with author of the article and look forward to the next installment of the column. (Continued…)
InLalaland
Natasha Sills
posted 3/08/09 @ 4:25 PM PST
I loved this article! I can't wait for more.. there's finally some intellectual stuff in the paper.
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posted 3/09/09 @ 3:49 AM PST
I don't understand the article, i think Scott is confused and so many ideas are in his mind, before going for an article you must be very clear on what you are going to write. (Continued…)
Aaron
Aaron
posted 3/09/09 @ 9:35 AM PST
The article is definitely looking out into the future, and its correct. Humans consume resources and our population is ever expanding. Resources are finite so no amount of conservation will extend those sources indefinitely. (Continued…)
Stephen
Stephen
posted 3/09/09 @ 12:34 PM PST
First and foremost allow me to say that I've particularly enjoyed this Barometer topic. Many of the articles have been both well-thought-out and possessed of plausible view of the future. (Continued…)
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