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This video was created as a series of informational and entertainment
animations to introduce the topic of sustainability to academic, professional
and socially conscious audiences
this is a four part series covering the topics of meeting human needs
businesses role
globilization
and how sustainability can be a developmental step for humanity
Sustainability basics
meeting human needs
sustainability is about meeting present needs without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their needs
note that needs are the defining element of sustainability
the Earth has been around a lot longer than humans and will be fine with or without
us
humans on the other hand are dependent upon Earth's resources for our most
basic survival needs
air/water, shelter
food
but sustainability is not just about survival
human needs can be grouped into three categories: Self interests, Relationships
and Development
self-interest is a need for a physical survival had a basic level
relationships refers to the need for connection and cooperation
development is a need to grow
improve
and achieve one's potential
is not enough to just understand needs
we must also consider motivation and prioritisation based on satisfying needs
this is Maslow's pyramid depicting layers of human motivation
the lowest need not met is a person's primary focus
once satisfied attention quickly shifts up to the next layer
the orange lower layers are deficiency needs
if societal barriers or limits are erected that prevent individuals from
satisfying deficiency needs suffering conflict or death may result
sustainability implies systemic norms to lift and keep the entire society at the
upper green and black layors of this pyramid
with deficiency needs met, individuals are freed to cooperate
innovate, create, find a purpose in their lives, and achieve great things
within the western society
the adult individual holds responsibility for identifying a meeting
their unique needs
however almost everyone lives within systems where the individual is
increasingly interdependent up on the community government and global systems
to make available the resources required to meet those needs
let me give you an example
a young man wants to move out on his own perhaps get an apartment an
education a jobs and maybe a dog
he must engage with the community to meet his needs
the community has already established system such as public water internet
roads schools you get the point
the community shares these resources and he does not have to build them but
instead will pay a fee or be taxed at a portion of his income
he doesn't grow his own food so must depend upon the grocer to stock foods
that will not harm him and the government and community to monitor and take action
with regard to air and water safety
he is unlikely to know how to run a business and will seek employment and
expect to be paid fair wages
the community is organized in cooperation with state
national and international structures to manage monetary systems environmental
systems
global supply chains
transportation and resource exchange. A breakdown in any critical system caused
by such things as armed conflict financial crisis or natural disaster
could force entire communities into
deficiency motivation
every individual is both responsible to and dependent upon
the community
and every community is interdependent
and potentially impacted by the collective actions of the broader global
community
it is in our combined interests to acknowledge these interdependencies and
behave responsibly to manage resources avoid pollution prevent war
and prepare for any displacement of large populations
to ensure opportunity for everyone
we each have a responsibility to identify our needs, choose our
representatives and contribute to maintenance or improvement of our
society
common rules in sharing of infrastructure provide a foundation for
our communities
and organized systems are a means of exchange and implementation of plans
we rely on our social
economic government and legal systems as tools to efficiently meet our individual
and collective needs
for sustainability
individual actions
government rules an organizational systems must align with the needs of
current and future generations
many sustainability models focus heavily on the environment as a human needs are
dependent upon physical survival
we all share the same planet and its resources are limited
as the world's population grows, demand for food and energy increases as well
so does waste and environmental pollutants
this increasing demand will put further pressure on the Earth's finite resources
in eco-systems
with the forecast of an increased to ten billion people on the world
by two thousand and fifty there is pressure to prioritize sustainability and
work together to manage resources so that we meet human needs today as well
as ensuring the resources for future generations
thank you for watching