Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
new media this is becoming increasingly unlikely. A final and interesting thought,
which may be of note to sustainability activists not wishing to seem too shrill, is
that a certain depoliticization, perhaps even a political neutering of debate and
discussion, occurs when the rhetoric of caring, management and personality dominates
a particular discourse. For Schudson (1999), political talk is not like everyday
conversation - one is instrumental with an agreed goal or action in mind and the
other is largely creative and free-flowing - and they require different, but perhaps
complementary, skills and interactive cultures. Political action may mean more than
buying organic chocolate or saying one cares for a plant.
Summary
Human beings are political as well as social animals and sustainable development
is ultimately a political act - or, more precisely, a series of political acts. How this
politics is played out, how we govern ourselves, how we make decisions and act
upon them, is the subject of this chapter. Politics and governance within the context
of sustainable development certainly requires learning from experience, theoretical
understanding, and a continuous looking for the best ways in which progress can
be achieved and maintained. For many, although not all commentators, the most
appropriate direction to follow is one that involves extensive democratization and
participation in decision-making at all levels from the global to the local levels of
the neighbourhood and the workplace. Strong democracy and green reason may
become married to other concepts too, such as ecological citizenship, eco-welfare
and the Right to the City. The idea that sustainable development encompasses all
of humanity can, and perhaps should, be taken further still to embrace a less
anthropocentric and a more ecocentric philosophy and practice. After all, human
beings are not the only creatures who inhabit this planet and in many ways all of
us, human and non-human, need each other in order to thrive and prosper materially,
culturally and spiritually.
Thinking questions
1
In what ways can ecological democratization be achieved?
2
How important is a sense of place and ecological belonging in fashioning a
green, or sustainable, political practice?
3
How important is ecological citizenship, corporate or individual, to fashioning
a more sustainable society?
4
What is the value of organizations such as the World Social Forum?
5
In what ways is the concept 'the Right to the City' important to progressing
sustainable development?
6
In your experience, do people feel able to discuss environmental and broader
sustainability issues?
Companion website
If you would like to learn more about environmental politics and governance and
test your knowledge and understanding of recent campaigns, please visit the
companion website for further information.
