Chapter 4. Getting to One-Planet Living.

[Ted]

Discussion of "Getting to One-Planet Living"

[Ted]

This chapter I think makes it obvious how far we in the developed world are from sustainable living.

Assuming we admit that those in "underdeveloped" countries have a right to their fair share of the earth, how are we to reduce our "ecological footprint" by 2/3 or more?

The authors suggest that it could be done if the people demanded it of their leaders, thereby bringing into effect national priorities and international agreements - but even then they reference timelines on the order of decades in the most optimistic cases.

Well, at the least it is interesting to find your own "footprint" on one of the many sites that have calculators, and then try to figure out what you personally would do to try to fit yourself into a one-earth footprint.

It isn't easy, and would require major changes in lifestyle.

One thing I'm a little confused about is how (or if indeed whether) the "ecological footprint" is different from the "carbon footprint" that has been more frequently talked about in recent years?

Anyone have ideas about this?

[Erica]

This chapter was quite depressing and discouraging. It is amazing to see how far Vancouver would still be from sustainability, given all they are trying to do. Hopefully the next few weeks of readings are a bit more encouraging!

[Ted]

Erica wrote: "This chapter was quite depressing and discouraging. It is amazing to see how far Vancouver would still be from sustainability, given all they are trying to do. Hopefully the next few weeks of rea..."

You are right about Vancouver.

I will certainly be interested to aee what is said in coming chapters that might be encouraging. But as you commented earlier, the third section of the book might turn out to be the most relevant,