Goals and Values for a Sustainable Future.

In part one of this series - regarding whether or not humans are on a sustainable path - I made the point that our path is NOT predetermined.

Rather than being up to fate, our future will largely depend on our collective goals which will in turn depend on which values we prioritize. Ultimately it is our collective values that will determine what goals we have in place which will determine if we have a sustainable future. This is the greatest task facing each generation. As we become aware of social unrest or the planetary boundaries that we may cross, this task is more in need of concerted action today than ever before.  But first we need to make clear what we mean by a sustainable future.

A sustainable future.

What many people think about when considering the issue of a sustainable future is whether or not our human civilization will continue without a global catastrophic fall. This fall may arise from an inability to provide adequate basic needs for humans as we cross boundaries that lead to tipping points with a resulting sharp fall in population. The boundaries may be those as described by the science of biophysical thresholds that have shown to exist. These thresholds cover interconnected environmental aspects such as biodiversity loss and climate change and are well documented in “Planetary boundaries”. (The link is a 2015 update).  Social and political unrest due to intolerable living conditions may aggravate or hasten the arrival of a potential collapse as we approach or cross some of these boundaries. A catastrophic fall may also occur if our financial systems collapse.

These possibilities all become more likely if we do not have an adequate political framework that looks ahead and makes appropriate plans.

The science behind the environmental boundaries, however, should not be confused with the policies that we must develop as a result of this knowledge about “the safe operating space for humanity”. Any policies we implement will depend on the values that we collectively have and on the politicians we choose to carry these out. This is largely a democratic process.

Sustainable development goals.

Integrating the science of the planetary boundaries with the social science of economics has led the United Nations to set up their sustainable development goals (UNSDGs). The planetary boundaries provided a framework for these sustainable development goals

These goals reflect a definition of sustainable development that includes economic, social and environmental aspects. As an exercise, compare and contrast what your proposed goals and values are and how you would add them up and prioritize them. In any case how would you ensure that none of your prioritized values were forgotten?

A sustainable path.

A sustainable path must ensure a future that meets the needs of society. When choosing qualities and values it can be helpful to think about what kind of world you’d want your children or grandchildren to find themselves in.

Here is my priority list in no particular order; a world or society that indiscriminately provides:

1. Enough clean water, food, warmth and shelter

2. A means whereby everyone can contribute to society

3. An environment that provides clean air, and natural resources including farmland woodlands, forests, clean rivers that run to the sea, coral reefs, wetlands and mangroves etc.

4. Enough time free from labour that allows meaningful education and time to reflect and pursue interests beyond that of merely trying to eke out a living

5. Affordable health care when needed

6. Industry that can provide and replace a responsible quantity of products

7. Governance that promotes the availability of these needs.

Prioritizing.

Are there any of these you would omit; any that you would replace; any others that you would prioritize? With this in mind you can evaluate the UNSDGs. In later sections I will comment on evaluation.

The benefit of having clearly defined goals.

The United Nations goals go into a lot more detail than my goals above that are merely stated in a qualitative way. The UNSDGs are accessible to all with quantitative targets with dates for assessing progress and dates for reviewing. These goals also help mobilize people, organisations and governments in an agreed direction but with room for modifying at regular reviewing dates.

A further note on values.

The seven values I have stated above (or 8 if the indiscriminately provision is included) are values in the sense that these are things that one might value and are measurable. They are based on core values that are essential in determining these and must be encouraged and nurtured. These non measurable core values, however, such as empathy or respect, can be disingenuously presented and on their own difficult to report progress on.

Towards an alternative narrative.

A price or a value on nature?