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