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From Environmental Space to Ecological Debt – a European Perspective
Rocholl, Martin
Rocholl, Martin
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"By now we have understood what sustainable development is – or better, what it should be. We really do not need to go to South Africa to understand what needs to be done. We know which political measures have to be taken, we are aware of what changes in consumption and production patterns are needed, and we have seen the development of alternative technologies over the years. Still, we are not getting there. Sustainable development is little more than a vision. For many people and the environment, the situation is worse today than it was ten years ago. If the politicians coming to South Africa are honest, they will have to admit that economic globalisation has decreased their possibilities to eliminate poverty, to introduce social standards, and to protect the environment. The threat of companies investing elsewhere effectively prevents national governments from introducing social or environmental legislation. A downward-spiralling competition to offer the lowest taxes and best operating conditions for companies has reduced governments’ abilities to finance social and environmental programmes. And while it is becoming more difficult to carry out sustainable policies on the national level, no international structures exist to take up the challenge." (p. 7,8)
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2001
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With permission of the license/copyright holder