B)Intellectual traditions which we draw upon for solutions to problems point in different directions (C)Neither neo-classical nor Marxist economics take sufficient account of the environment, while environmentalists provide the vaguest guidelines in negotiating a more constructive relationship with nature g. Mao Zedong's belief that man can conquer nature; Chinas outmoded state-owned-enterprises (D) Authoritarian measures to contain economic demands for material advance contradict the liberating, humane objectives (E)Some people believe the world should place greater reliance on international agreement planning without which individual, personal or national interests would dictate the course of development process (2) Political struggles over the environment in developed and developing countries protect conserve rural space -recognize aesthetic values in the countryside provide better access to this space ensure the biological survival of threatened species(e.g. Hong Kong's country park system since 1976) Environmental objectives in the South are different -the survival of species is important for economic reasons, the environment is a contested domain(e.g. tropical rainforests) .Unfortunately, the material standards of life in the developed countries(North)are linked with the way resources human labor is exploited in the South It is not left to people in developing countries to decide how to use their resources. a reduction in the amount of work is acceptable to people in developed countries, but is a nightmare to poor people in the South (One exception is Chinas reduced work hours to stimulate internal spending) 3)Paradox of Technology(cause or cure .Technology plays a dual role in mediating our relationship with the environment. It brings benefits as well as creates new problems E.g. fertilizers and pesticides Biotechnology is potentially a powerful tool yet bioethics is a cause of concern Thus technological breakthroughs should not be construed as a way of resolving the contradictions of development for the environment, but a way of distancing ourselves from these contradictions There is also the danger that policy-makers and governments of the North may adopt technological option that they can control. without counting the environmental or social costs (4)Inter-and intra-generational equity .Intergenerational equity, or justice between generations, is the ultimate moral principle behind sustainability .Intragenerational equity, or equalities within the current world population, is also important. These disparities are most obvious between the developed and developing worlds, and within the worlds richest countries If the developing world was brought up to the consumption level of the developed countries, a 5-fold increase in total load(& environmental degradation) of the Earth would result .Political economic cycles(e. g. elections, government budgets) are much shorter than the natural systems(e.g plantation forestry, soil formation climatic change). To enforce intergenerational equity, institutional systems need to think over time scales that are somewhat closer to those of natural systems (5)Economic growth versus ecological limits . Continuous economic growth in size quantity is unsustainable, and is a cause of ecological predicament. Despi this, growth is central to the politics of economic management in the modern era . Recently, economic growth can be achieved in a more environmentally-sound manner(e.g using less input per unit of economic activity productivity)2 (B) Intellectual traditions which we draw upon for solutions to problems point in different directions (C) Neither neo-classical nor Marxist economics take sufficient account of the environment, while environmentalists provide the vaguest guidelines in negotiating a more constructive relationship with nature E.g. Mao Zedong’s belief that man can conquer nature; China’s outmoded state-owned-enterprises. (D) Authoritarian measures to contain economic demands for material advance contradict the liberating, humane objectives (E) Some people believe the world should place greater reliance on international agreement & planning, without which individual, personal or national interests would dictate the course of development process (2) Political struggles over the environment in developed and developing countries •Developed countries (North) seek to –protect & conserve rural space –recognize aesthetic values in the countryside –provide better access to this space –ensure the biological survival of threatened species (e.g. Hong Kong’s country park system since 1976) •Environmental objectives in the South are different: –the survival of species is important for economic reasons, the environment is a contested domain (e.g. tropical rainforests) •Unfortunately, the material standards of life in the developed countries (North) are linked with the way resources & human labor is exploited in the South. •It is not left to people in developing countries to decide how to use their resources. A reduction in the amount of work is acceptable to people in developed countries, but is a nightmare to poor people in the South (One exception is China’s reduced work hours to stimulate internal spending). (3) Paradox of Technology (cause or cure) •Technology plays a dual role in mediating our relationship with the environment. It brings benefits as well as creates new problems –E.g. fertilizers and pesticides • Biotechnology is potentially a powerful tool yet bioethics is a cause of concern Thus technological breakthroughs should not be construed as a way of resolving the contradictions of development for the environment, but a way of distancing ourselves from these contradictions. •There is also the danger that policy-makers and governments of the North may adopt technological option that they can control, without counting the environmental or social costs. (4) Inter- and intra-generational equity •Intergenerational equity, or justice between generations, is the ultimate moral principle behind sustainability •Intragenerational equity, or equalities within the current world population, is also important. These disparities are most obvious between the developed and developing worlds, and within the world’s richest countries. •If the developing world was brought up to the consumption level of the developed countries, a 5-fold increase in total load (& environmental degradation) of the Earth would result. •Political & economic cycles (e.g. elections, government budgets) are much shorter than the natural systems (e.g. plantation forestry, soil formation & climatic change). To enforce intergenerational equity, institutional systems need to think over time scales that are somewhat closer to those of natural systems. (5) Economic growth versus ecological limits •Continuous economic growth in size & quantity is unsustainable, and is a cause of ecological predicament. Despite this, growth is central to the politics of economic management in the modern era •Recently, economic growth can be achieved in a more environmentally-sound manner (e.g. using less input per unit of economic activity & productivity)