1. Cultivating Sustainable Lifestyles
8th Annual Conference of the
International Environment Forum
Thessaloniki, October 2004
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International Environment Forum

2. International Environment Forum
Leading the Transition to Sustainability: Global Challenges and Individual Action
Arthur Lyon Dahl
International Environment Forum
5/7/2019
International Environment Forum

3. International Environment Forum
Sustainability
Major challenge of the 21st Century
Population growth, ca. 9 billion
Technology impacts
Planetary limits
Extremes of wealth and poverty
Environmental, economic and social vulnerability
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International Environment Forum

4. Individual perspective
> 6 billion
Excessive consumption
Increasing wastes
Resource shortages
Rising costs
Insecurity
Health risks
Loss of amenities
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International Environment Forum

5. Environmental threats
Climate change
Natural disasters
Ozone depletion
Biodiversity loss
Water shortages
Land degradation
Food insecurity
Health impacts
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International Environment Forum

6. Social and economic threats
Terrorism
Fanaticism
Conflict
Isolationism, intolerance
Economic instability
Unbalanced globalization
Poor governance
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7. We are the cause of the problem
As consumers
As citizens
As parents
As teachers
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8. We must be part of the solution
Inform ourselves
Take responsibility
Re-examine our lifestyles
Take action
Involve others
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9. Convergence of lifestyles
Reduce excessive consumption
Increase efficiency
Live within environmental limits
Protect the biosphere, biodiversity
Redistribute resources
Eliminate poverty
Encourage diversity
How?
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International Environment Forum

10. Sustainable development is an ethical concept
Justice for this generation
And for future generations
Aiming at:
Ecological viability
Economic efficiency
Social equity
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11. International Environment Forum
Individual action
Material dimension: adopting a sustainable lifestyle
Social dimension: living in a sustainable community
Moral/spiritual dimension: practicing sustainable values
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12. Values for sustainability
Dignity for all: human rights
Unity in diversity
Balance of material and spiritual
Respect for nature
Economic justice
A culture of peace
Responsibility
Spirit of service
Moderation
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13. Education for sustainable development
Preparation for action
Scientific knowledge
Ethical perspectives
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14. International Environment Forum
Values as the catalyst
Transformed values
Motivation
Individual action
Community solidarity
Transmission of values
Organic change in society
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15. Leadership in the transition to sustainabilty
Must come from the actions of each one of us
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International Environment Forum