Cresting Dawn is just the tip of the mountain when you walk quietly to your favorite spot, a perch, where you can see – unseen by other hikers. Here, you position yourself to meditate. The golden rays paint the rocks, trees shine with their own energy. You reach out to embrace the view. Suddenly, she feels as if your spirit leaves your body and becomes part of all around you. Then just as suddenly, you're back in your own skin, wondering what just happened. You had a transcendental experience, leaving the coil "lethal" to join all that is the universe, to become one with creation. Is an awesome experience that may last only for a moment, but leave its impact for life. If you're lucky enough to have had an experience like this, you had a vision of the world as it really is … where everything is connected to everything else. As Martin Luther King said: "We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny …" This is the basic principle of sustainability, understanding that we humans are not the masters of Earth. We are part of and connected to everything that exists. When we understand this concept most fundamental, what we're doing to achieve sustainability becomes almost obvious. The need for reflection SustainablyWhy we do at this moment in history, need to be concerned about sustainability? For many scientists, economists and sociologists, there is accumulating evidence that humans have sown the seeds of their own extinction. Many believe that unless immediate corrective measures are taken, the civilization and humanity itself is destined for global catastrophes. According to the World Resources Institute, at least 3. 5 billion people, more than half the current population of the world should experience water shortages by 2025. As the population continues to increase world fisheries and agricultural productivity is declining. Global warming threatens to raise sea levels and dry up water resources around the world. Meanwhile, the warming of the atmosphere generates changeable weather with devastating storms, snow in the south, heat waves in the North and paradoxical possibility of a new Ice Age. Economic disparity is also growing worldwide. Today, several hundred billionaires control more wealth than anyone in the 45 poorest countries. The political upheaval, religious fanaticism and ongoing conflicts destroy the environment, lives and communities. Although these are not new phenomena, technology has made them global in their impacts. As the Chinese curse, we now live in interesting times. And that is why there is renewed interest in sustainable development throughout the world. To Be or Not To Be … SustainableApparently, there seems to be some controversy and misunderstanding about the term sustainability. It is becoming politicized, particularly by those who do not understand what it is or who feel threatened by its concepts. In other words, sustainability means the ability to endure, to continue to exist in his chosen state. To be sustainable, it must assess the conditions under which you live and limit the demands of your life chosen because of these conditions. To be sustainable, we must take only what we need and preserve the resources and capabilities necessary for future generations to flourish. We must work together to create a strong economy, healthy communities and a natural environment. Are we living in the bearing capacity of the Earth? Are we taking only what the earth can provide the time? Are we contribute positively to our communities and the natural environment? Answering these questions will determine what kind of future we leave to those who follow us. There are lessons in sustainability learning every day … if one pays attention to the natural world around us. NatureAll learn from life as we know it on Earth lives in a "closed system. "Nothing enters the Earth in any measurable quantity, except sunlight. The seeds of all life, new life just existing. All plants, animals, insects and humans obtain their food and water that exists on Earth. At the end of every life, everything must cycle back to Earth to support the future. Is the cycle of life and is bound by physical laws that can not be broken. The life cycle connects all living things together. We depend on each other, all living things for survival. However, knowing that we need a healthy natural environment and a continuous cycle of life, we humans are the only species that actively works to break the cycle of life. To build modern societies, we are taking resources from the wild, use and then dispose of them as waste. During this linear process, we generate all kinds of pollution. The result is that, unlike other species in nature, we are depleting natural resources, destroy natural habitats, and thus threaten our own existence. Finding the balance: economic organizations, community environmentin nature, strive for balance or homeostasis within their ecosystems. Take time to sit and observe a tree, a stream or a natural area low. You'll find it full of life, even in desert areas. Within a small ecosystem, you can see the interdependence of life in action. Plants grow well together helping each water gain and soil minerals. Insects, birds and animals find food and shelter among the plants. You notice there is no waste. Everything serves as food for everything else. Everywhere you look there is a natural balance that continues until external forces to overthrow him. Then, each system, with its living things, works to find that balance. To become sustainable, we must think holistically and work collectively to find balance in ourselves, our families, our economy, our communities and the natural environment. Begin with the economy. Note that it has the same root, ECO, Greek for house or where we live. The economy is synonymous with management where we live. It means the wise use of resources to sustain life. In today's society, we believe that the economy in terms of flow of dollars. It is not our economy. There is only one way to measure our false economy. Genuine Progress Indicators measure how well we do. For more information, visit Redefining Progress at www. rprogress. org. So, to start earning the respect of our economy, we must think differently and measure progress differently. How do we know when our economy is improving? Certainly not by the gross domestic product (GDP) that tracks only the flow of dollars. We know by measurable improvements in our quality of life. Children are healthy and doing well in school? Is that all children have access to good education? Are people who work earn a livable wage? Is good affordable housing for all? It's clean and healthy air to breathe? Are elderly and infirm, and well provided? Water is plentiful and good to drink? Are safe and healthy communities of crime and war? People are more likely to work using less energy and materials to create more value for society? In each of these issues are fabulous opportunities. When the answer to these questions is yes, then we start to produce a healthy economy and balanced. Connect, Engage communities SupportingStrengthening begins with understanding our connections to each other. We are all more alike than we are different. Knowing this allows us to celebrate our differences enrich our lives. Knowing that we all share a garment "single destiny" can lead us to overcome old antagonisms and to work for the common good. Together as good neighbors, we can develop a collective vision and develop the will to achieve it. Create healthy and balanced communities requires commitment. We need to be involved with others at various levels in our society, based on our interests and talents. Some of us may be great at organizing neighborhood meetings. Others may feel the need to volunteer at the local school or with a group of citizens. There are natural politicians among us who can represent us in city hall. Each of us can learn and vote. The restoration and preservation of our natural environment is essential to sustainability. Learning from nature, we can integrate more closely in the life cycle where everything contributes to the whole and nothing is wasted. We can all do simple things. Eat lower on the food chain. Locally produced fruits, vegetables and grains require less land than processed foods. Take shorter showers. Get out of your car and walk or bike. Form carpool and use public transport if you can. Become knowledgeable about ways to conserve and drive more simple, more rewarding life. Stay ContactOur modern life ourselves from our communities and the natural world. We have the opportunity and the need to resume dialogue for our own welfare and that of everyone on the planet. Connected, each of us can do our part, and as we do, the whole becomes stronger and more vibrant. So take the time. Establish a fruitful contact with those around you. Support those in need. Share your feelings on the issues of today and dreams for tomorrow. Write your talents and good works to the real economy that benefits all. Jump to Nature. Learn from her. Find that special place for yourself where you can go to become one with everything around you. There you can awaken in you the power of your Spirit sustainable.
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