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Cultivating Sustainable Lifestyles. 8 th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum Thessaloniki, 15-17 October 2004. Leading the Transition to Sustainability: Global Challenges and Individual Action. Arthur Lyon Dahl International Environment Forum. Sustainability.
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Cultivating Sustainable Lifestyles 8th Annual Conference of the International Environment Forum Thessaloniki, 15-17 October 2004 International Environment Forum
Leading the Transition to Sustainability:Global Challenges and Individual Action Arthur Lyon Dahl International Environment Forum International Environment Forum
Sustainability • Major challenge of the 21st Century • Population growth, ca. 9 billion • Technology impacts • Planetary limits • Extremes of wealth and poverty • Environmental, economic and social vulnerability International Environment Forum
Individual perspective • > 6 billion • Excessive consumption • Increasing wastes • Resource shortages • Rising costs • Insecurity • Health risks • Loss of amenities International Environment Forum
Environmental threats • Climate change • Natural disasters • Ozone depletion • Biodiversity loss • Water shortages • Land degradation • Food insecurity • Health impacts International Environment Forum
Social and economic threats • Terrorism • Fanaticism • Conflict • Isolationism, intolerance • Economic instability • Unbalanced globalization • Poor governance International Environment Forum
We are the cause of the problem • As consumers • As citizens • As parents • As teachers International Environment Forum
We must be part of the solution • Inform ourselves • Take responsibility • Re-examine our lifestyles • Take action • Involve others International Environment Forum
Convergence of lifestyles • Reduce excessive consumption • Increase efficiency • Live within environmental limits • Protect the biosphere, biodiversity • Redistribute resources • Eliminate poverty • Encourage diversity How? International Environment Forum
Sustainable development is an ethical concept • Justice for this generation • And for future generations Aiming at: • Ecological viability • Economic efficiency • Social equity International Environment Forum
Individual action • Material dimension: adopting a sustainable lifestyle • Social dimension: living in a sustainable community • Moral/spiritual dimension: practicing sustainable values International Environment Forum
Values for sustainability • Dignity for all: human rights • Unity in diversity • Balance of material and spiritual • Respect for nature • Economic justice • A culture of peace • Responsibility • Spirit of service • Moderation International Environment Forum
Education for sustainable development • Preparation for action • Scientific knowledge • Ethical perspectives International Environment Forum
Values as the catalyst • Transformed values • Motivation • Individual action • Community solidarity • Transmission of values • Organic change in society International Environment Forum
Leadership in the transition to sustainabilty Must come from the actions of each one of us International Environment Forum