Toward a Sustainable Community

A detailed Summary of Toward a Sustainable Community

Not until the spread of the Industrial Revolution in the late nineteenth century, has man possessed the ability to adversely alter, on a global scale, the geologic and climatic cycles that have existed for millennia. Planet earth, which man calls home, is approximately 5 billion years old. The science of paleontology tells us that man is a relative new comer to the planet. Modern man did not arrive on the scene until approximately 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Developments in hunting, agriculture, literacy, and the sciences, have allowed man to thrive and inhabit nearly every corner of the planet. However, this success has not been good for the earth. The world's population has recently surpassed 6 billion and the developed countries community models and lifestyles are not sustainable.

Due to rapid, unrestrained growth, housing, shopping, and entertainment construction has spread across the surface of the planet like an oil slick. We are depleting resources and altering ecosystems at an alarming rate. Only now are we beginning to comprehend the long-term effects of more than a century of environmental ignorance, neglect, and apathy.

Historically, city and community planners lacked the vision and understanding that would lead to e

It has only been within the last thirty years that we have come to understand just how devastating our actions are to the environment and the delicate fabric of the earth's ecosystems. Through advances in technology, man is able to search the heavens, listening and looking out thousands of light years to investigate the universe and its origins. The knowledge gained has allowed us to understand just how unique and fragile our biosphere is to man's existence. To date, there is no other place in the universe that can support human life, as we know it here on earth. Even if we were able to find a solar system similar to our own, we do not currently possess the technology to travel to such a place. What does this mean for humankind? Earth is our home, everything in, on, and around it is a priceless, finite resource that life depends on and we should treat it as such. It should guide and encompass all aspects of our lives. We need to understand this tenet; our lifestyles and communities should embrace and reflect it.

What is going to be the catalyst for change? Is it the fact that we don't want to leave a legacy of dead ecosystems and unlivable areas due to contamination and pollution for our children and future generations? Arguably, the most important weapon against those that would pollute our air, water, and food sources is an educated citizenry. What if we are the polluters? Again, education and action is the key to resolving the problems associated with unsustainability. Once people understand the negative impact their decisions have on their environment and the importance of changing their lifestyles, their wiliness to change to more eco friendly behavior, allowing sustainable communities and lifestyles will follow.

In the U.S., we enjoy the freedom to vote for like minded officials and leaders. Our constitution gives us the right to speak freely and organize but these freedoms are only half the answer. We must take advantage of and exercise that freedom to make a difference. Individuals can effect change by identifying problems in their own c

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Approximate Word count = 1391
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History