What are the most dominant characteristics of the world’s
pattern of doing business? I believe it is the continuous
exploitation of natural and human resources without
considering the long-term effects on the whole Earth
community. It’s all about making the best impression and
closing the deal as quickly as possible with only one shot at
it. This behavior encourages short-term investments and does
not contain a long-term vision. What is lacking is an
understanding and commitment to sustainable development. This
concept is crucial when it comes to making choices that have
implications for the future generations to come. Environmental
education is one of the most important assets we have today to
contribute to the creation of a more conscious and just global
society.
Newly Defined Citizenship
The citizens of the 21st century are nurturing the creation of
a new international ethic called “sustainability,” and
established principles are being redefined. The integration of
environmental and social concerns within economic society
deflates the masculine image that many nations carry, and
different definitions of citizenship and leadership are
emerging. A softening of the global patriarchal society
becomes a reality and size becomes less relevant. The voices
that will be heard in the future are those of countries,
companies, and people that show social integrity,
environmental respect, and preservation of these principles in
their words and in their deeds. Our priority should be the
development of a true understanding of planet Earth’s
mechanisms for long-term sustainability and actions that seek
to achieve a balanced integration of economic, environmental,
and social needs. The nations that achieve this balance will
have comparative advantages over other countries and people.
Greening of the World
Philanthropy has never been the driving force for a greening
of world trade. The rise in financial, economic, and
health-related expenses linked to maintaining current
production systems are such that they change the design of
many production patterns and production modes. With the
current state of technological development and a growing
concern for an economic recession, the evolution towards a
“greener” and more sustainable world trade is said to be a
choice between doing business as usual for short-term economic
gains or taking a more balanced approach, which includes
protection of the environment. The prevailing division is
maintaining uncertainty as to how to direct the global
economies towards economical practices that are healthy for
the economy, the environment, and the society as a whole. It
is there that the importance of communication becomes clear
and that distribution of objective messages will be needed to
bridge information gaps.
Redesign of Information
The freedom to address quality issues and to question business
practices has increased thanks to the worldwide implementation
of the Internet, where more and better information is being
shared on a global level and in a timely manner. New trends in
communication will further continue to impact societal
behavior. Sustainable marketing and information campaigns are
more and more often containing messages with an intrinsic
value. Besides the commercial tone there is room for
education, and intelligent entertainment is not far away.
Environmental education has a very bright future with many
challenges since its audience is better informed and requests
increasing levels of quality. The design of a clear map that
shapes our lives towards a more sustainable world is an
essential tool and the educators of today have an important
role to play in guiding our citizens towards the achievement
of a more sustainable tomorrow.
© Pamela Peeters 2003
Pamela Peeters is a former laureate of the Belgian Prize of
the Minister of Foreign Trade, an environmental economist, and
international ECO-Consultant. Peeters blends economic and
ecological know-how with new media applications. She has been
an attached reserve economist to the Belgian Senate and is
administrator for clubs that unite people with an interest in
environment, sustainable development, and international trade.
She has created a Unit for Environmental Education at Columbia
University and develops educational multimedia projects to
promote public initiatives such as the Sustainable Development
policy. She has been made honorary member of BPW International
(Business and Professional Women) and has been classified by
the Belgian Press as “Famous Flemish” in 2002.
Pamela Peeters is the author of several international
publications relating to sustainable development and the role
of technology and education in our society. Her upcoming book,
“New Citizenship,” covers more than eight years of research in
the field of sustainable development and reveals the
viewpoints of a scientist-business woman.
Peeters is also the producer and host to the interactive
television show entitled “Our-Planet,” a show that
focuses on the evolving economical, environmental and social
identity of the 21st century. The bi-monthly television show
“Our-Planet” can be seen on Time Warner Cable (Channel 67)
and RCN (Channel 110) on the first and the third Mondays of
the month at 9.30 pm. For people deprived of Manhattan cable
access there is a web-site “www.pamelapeeters.com” a series of
workshops and a DVD.
Peeters can be contacted at
greenhousefamily@hotmail.com |
