Convocation Common Reading Blog

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

 

In 1987 the Brundtland Commission developed that definition for the term 'sustainable development' in reference to a report it had released named "Our Common Future". This definition has become commonplace in the twenty two years since the release of this report. In these twenty two years the world has taken tremendous strides in the right direction to mitigate climate change, address the idea of sustainable development and improve the livelihood of those living across the globe.

 

But what is sustainability and how does it impact you? That's certainly a reasonable question, and one that is asked far too often. Walking down the street you'll be hard pressed to find someone who knows what sustainability is, nonetheless what the Brundtland Commission was. That is one of the greatest problems we run into in the world of sustainable development; very few people understand it. This is why Pace University has decided to dedicate this year's convocation to understanding the sustainability movement and is why you are reading about one it's most influential voices; Wangari Maathai.

 

Sustainable development can be broken down into three main principles; Social justice, fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship. This triad is also known as the triple bottom line. The triple bottom line, as it's name implies, is applicable to decision making by government official and business leaders all the way down the line to you and me. Everyone has an impact, and it's our job to take the residual effects of our choices into account. If you're a business man that is a penny pincher though you pay your workers fair wages, but you're disposing of your wastes into the local watershed you're not sustainable. If you're carbon neutral and your staff is comprised of the disabled, but you're consistently in the red as far as income is concerned, you're not sustainable. It's about marrying these three principles into the best practices.

 

You are all fortunate to be reading Unbowed, by Wangari Maathai, as your summer reading book. Wangari Maathai is one of the greatest proponents of a better, brighter future that are alive today. Reading this book isn't about the possibility of a test in your English class when you come back, or because the school said you have to. Trust me, I've been there and done that already. When I learned I was reading a book during my summer I moaned and groaned incessantly. You may moan and groan too, but know that this book is a testament to a life spent fighting for what is right. Try and learn something that you can apply to your life from what she is saying.

 

Along the way I will be updating this blog, every week or two, about different aspects of sustainability and the environmental world that are being touched on in the various chapters of the book. I may even throw something out there that is completely unrelated but interesting. I want to help you make sense of what is being taught in this book, putting it into perspective with a little background information and some personal insight. Please, feel free to ask me any questions along the way and I'll do my best to answer them or point you in the right direction.