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Social Aspects
Environment Aspects
Economic Development
Availability of Resources
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The Scale of Values is about establishing what is very important to ensure a sound future for Earth, what is important, what is not so important, and what should be let go. From this scale, to be agreed upon by all members of The Global Community, the assessment of sustainable development can be conducted. The Benchmark for the 21st Century is the scale we are developing now together. It is also the first measurement of sustainable development ever obtained locally, regionally, nationally and globally. This first evaluation is conducted with respect to the four interacting systems: social, economic, environmental and in the wise husbanding of natural resources.
Every 'individual' is responsible to oneself and others, and takes responsibility for the community by dealing wisely with consumption, work, finances, health, resources, family, wildlife and Earth. An 'individual' here may be a person, a corporation, a NGO, a local community, businesses, a nation, or governments. The key is personal responsibility. We are all responsible to find what is very important to sustain Earth. This Scale of Values is about just that.
The urgency index, U, described in the mathematical model, is one of the four indices of the equation for the evaluation of impacts. It is the index or variable that reflects the level of responsibility we are willing to take to solve the problem, impact or concern. It reflects the importance of the need to find a solution to the stress within a reasonable period of time or else the impact will cause significant damages and will be felt by the next generations to come.
The scale is as follows. The minimum value is 1 and is equivalent to saying that the impact is not important and may be resolved within a century. The maximum value is 10 and is equivalent to saying that the impact is very important, no waiting allowed, so as to ensure a sound future for Earth.
The values between 1 and 10 have been defined in the Mathematical Model.
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This survey was designed for those who understand and are aware of impacts and their cumulative effects over time. People in the community will want to get together, discuss and find the best solution. Every responsible individual has a right to be part of the discussion and the solution.
For instance, the impact of pollutants on a groundwater system. Someone in the community would have enough knowledge and experience to say whether it is equivalent to the minimum value of 1 which in turn is equivalent to saying that the impact is not important, what causes the impact may be let go, or that it may be resolved within a century.
Or the impact is equivalent to the maximum value of 10 which in turn is equivalent to saying that the impact is very important, no waiting allowed, so as to ensure a sound future for Earth. A personal judgement is made as to what the answer may be between 1 and 10. If noone in the community can answer the question than an environmental assessment would be appropriate in this case. Sometimes a rough estimate from someone with experience is all that is needed.
We want to find the impact of people activity on the environment, the availability of resources, economic development and onto themselves.
Results of this survey will help us to evaluate all the impacts, interactions and interrelationships between the components of the four major quality systems. At this point in time there is no need to know about every single impact and its importance in the systems. We want to evaluate the most important or urgent ones for now and be able to extrapolate in between to evaluate all the other impacts and their urgency or importance.
The following table is a guide to follow.
Index value Urgency or importance index, U
The impact, problem or concern may be resolved:
1 (not important, the cause of the impact may be let go)
within a century
2 within five decades
3 within one decade
4 within five years
5 within three years
6 within one year
7 within six months
8 within three months
9 within one month
10 (very important) no waiting allowed
Survey
Please enter an index value between 1 and 10 in the space provided. Use the above table to select your choice of value. If you feel you cannot answer one of the impacts, skip to the next one. Feel free to ask for more explanation. You should also submit your own assessment in your field with this survey. Look at the ways things are done in your field, the products being used and disposed of, and find the impacts from their sources to the stage of consumption or use. Look at all aspects of your field and submit an index value for each impact.
The urgency or importance of resolving the following impact, problem or concern has an index value of:
A._____Wasteful use of oil and gas energy.
B._____Hazardous and unhealthy pollutants in the home.
C._____Very loud noise in the community.
D._____Chemicals that destroy the Ozone layer.
E._____Chemicals that increase Global Warming.
F._____Hazardous wastes from industrial or commercial
sites.
G._____Pollutants from vehicles.
H._____Litter (rubbish).
I._____Pollutants let go in the environment or an ecosystem.
J._____Pollutants let go in a city with minimum clean-up
facilities.
K._____Pollutants let go in the sewage.
L._____Acid rain.
M._____Deforestation.
N._____Spills of oil and other hazardous substances.
O._____Air pollution.
P._____Improper management of toxic substances and wastes.
Q._____Degradation of water resources.
R._____Threats to the tropical rain forest.
S._____Inappropriate agriculture practices.
T._____Soil erosion.
U._____Expanding deserts.
V._____Degradation of our natural environment.
W._____Rising levels of chemically induced cancers.
X._____Overconsumption.
Y._____Too much garbage with no place to go.
Z._____Widespread marine pollution resulting in everything
from plastic to oil lapping up on coastlines around the world.
AA._____Growing scarcity of portable water supplies.
AB._____Shrinking wilderness and wildlife habitat.
AC._____Growing rate of extinction of plants and animals.
AD._____Over-fisheries.
AE._____Depletion and degradation of natural resources.
AF._____Stagnant economic growth.
AG._____Unmitigated environmental damages.
AH._____Forest fire.
AI._____Noise pollution.
AJ._____Emission of air pollutants from industry.
AK._____Water pollution.
AL._____National debt.
AM._____Gambling.
AN._____Radioactive wastes.
AO._____Ignoring loss of productive assets in GDP or
GNP.
AOA._____Excluding natural resources values from the
measurement of national income and welfare.
AP._____Ignoring expenditures such as pollution, clean-up,
abatement, vehicle accidents, and floods as components of the GDP or GNP.
AQ._____Ignoring the degradation of natural resources,
the environment, health, social structure, and the quality of life in the
evaluation of the GDP or GNP. AR._____Ignoring
changes in the natural resource assets in the evaluation of the GDP or
GNP.
AS._____Ignoring the interactions and interrelationships
between the components of the four major quality systems (see GESDI) in
the evaluation of the GDP or GNP.
AT._____Ignoring global concerns and their impacts on
the economy in the evaluation of the GDP or GNP.
AU._____In the evaluation of the GDP or GNP, ignoring
the use and depreciation of the natural and people-made stocks or assets,
that is, the stocks that yield the end-use and consumption of resources
(for example, the stock of forest yields the end-use and consumption of
timber and wood products). The natural stocks include forests, minerals,
soils, fishery, water, wildlife, and air.The use of productive stocks give
rise to income, and, therefore, both people-made and natural stocks must
be considered in a similar manner. The evaluation of sustainable development
must include both types of stocks available for use as income or benefits,
and of all investments and returns as well. Consumption levels of both
types of stocks must be maintained without depleting and depreciating the
quality and quantity of services the stocks bring in creating wealth.
AV._____In the evaluation of the GDP or GNP, ignoring
the status of ecological processes and biological diversity of each natural
resource.
AX._____In the evaluation of the GDP or GNP, ignoring
the impacts of consuming a resource on other renewable resources, biological
diversity, people health, and life support systems.
AY._____In the evaluation of the GDP or GNP, ignoring
the annual change in the stocks of natural resources, and the services
they provide to the economy. AY._____We are
polluting the Earth at a rate that threatens to alter dramatically the
world.
AZ._____Our way of life on Earth has changed dramatically
and greatly diminished our planet's ability to assure the continuation
of life.
BA._____The degradation of the basic resources of water,
soils, forests, fisheries, flora and fona, tends to be incremental and
cumulative.
BB._____In the evaluation of the GDP or GNP, the total
price tag of our lifestyle is not just what we pay at the cash register
but also there are two more costs that must be added: the cost of maintaining
and using what we got, and the associated environmental and health impacts
which can be given dollar values. BC._____Dramatical
increase of per capita consumption of energy and resources.
BD._____Dramatical increase of energy and resources content
per unit of output.
BE._____Dramatical increase of waste discharges per unit
of output and in total. BF._____Dramatical
increase of wastage of natural resources.
BG._____Lack of comprehensive data about the status and
changes in the air, water, and land.
BH._____Lack of an adequate urban environment that constitutes
the level of well-being of a nation: suitable community facilities and
services, decent housing and health care, family stability, personal security
from crime, adequate educational and cultural opportunities, efficient
and safe transportation, an atmosphere of social justice, land planning,
aesthetic satisfaction, and responsive government subject to community
participation in decision-making.
BI._____Violation of Human Rights.
BJ._____Prejudices toward other people.
BK._____Building materials that are the cause of pollution
and health problems. BL._____Building materials
with potentially hazardous contaminants.
BM._____Building materials linked with serious contaminations
and health problems.
BN._____Increase of packaging wastes.
BO._____In the Polluter-pays Principle, ignoring the
true cost of packaging which includes the environmental ones: 1) the resources
and energy used during manufacturing, transportation, and disposal; 2)
the pollution created during the manufacturing process; 3) the litter and
waste created and the associated problems in landfill sites.
BP._____Not practicing the 4 Rs to lessen the amount
of garbage as part of our way of life: reduce, re-use, recycle, and repair.
BQ._____Individuals in a community are unable to dispose
safely of hazardous wastes because the community does not have proper disposal
facilities.
BR._____There are hazardous wastes and products in the
community, and they are a potential hazard to life, health and the environment.
BS._____Hazardous wastes in the community are not disposed
of properly and they end up in the regular garbage, poured down the drain
or buried, which cause environmental damage and are potential health hazards
to everyone. BT._____Chemicals in tanks used
in refrigeration are being recycled instead of being disposed of properly.
When these chemicals are recycle they end up destroying the Ozone layer
after a long period of time.
BU._____Garden pesticides are being poured down the drain
instead of being taken to a proper collection center.
BV._____Pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals are
being used for farming. These chemicals have impacts on the groundwater
system, lake and river water, and the health of people and wildlife who
absorb them.
BX._____Some areas suffer from drought, and some from
flood, due partly to inappropriate land and water use.
BY._____Human activity has made our climate to change
faster than it used to, and this is going to impact on the availability
and distribution of water.
BZ._____The increase in human population requires more
drinking water and drinking water becomes less available and more polluted.
CA._____The increase in human population requires more
water and creates problems with discharging more wastewater.
CB._____Groundwater resources, just as surface water
resources, have been a supply of safe, potable, readily available water
for drinking purposes and for industrial water supplies, and now are taken
for granted, abused, and undervalued. Groundwater may transport contaminants
from a land based facility resulting in impacts upon our drinking water,
fish habitat (and therefore our food chain), wetlands, streams, and lakes.
There is little information about toxicity, persistence, and mobility of
toxic chemicals in a groundwater system. Groundwater can be unfit for human
consumption because of contamination which may be due to leaking from gasoline
storage tanks, pipes, process equipment, tailing ponds, septic tanks or
feedlots, landfills or from accidental spills, pesticides and fertilizers
from farmland, or from contaminants in rain, snow, or atmospheric fallout.
CC._____The average person in North America uses too
much water for routine things, as if there is a never-ending supply of
it. Our lifestyle determines how we use water during the day. Water conservation
is not being practiced as much as it should. Supplies are running out fast.
CD._____Good quality of water supplies to satisfy our
lifestyle carries a price tag defined here: storing + distributing
+ treatment + maintaining & operating + the associated
environmental and health price tags i.e., the impacts on the environment
and our health. The cost of obtaining, storing, heating, distributing water
are steadily increasing, and so are the environmental and health impacts
associated with those costs. The costs for treating wastewater to make
it suitable to return to river systems are equally increasing.
CE._____Overwatering is an important environmental concern
because the water washes fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides off residential
lawns into street drains that lead to rivers and creeks.
CF._____Overusing and wasting water will force a city
to expand its water treatment plants, pump stations, water pipes, and storage
reservoirs, and force us to produce and use more energy which leads to
environmental problems as the pumping, treatment, delivery, and heating
of water use energy.
CG._____Most people take for granted the water we use
to wash the car, to water the lawn, cook and flush our wastes away, to
shower, do half-loads of laundry, run the water while brushing our teeth,
and ignore a dripping tap, and dump down the drain motor oil/solvents/paints/cleaners.
We treat oceans, rivers, lakes, and streams more like parts of our sewer
systems then our life-support system.
CH._____The disavantages and impacts of driving include
accidents, air pollution, congestion, noise, oil pollution, energy consumption
and consumption of land and other natural resources for the production
of vehicles and infrastructures. Vehicles contribute to the emission of
air pollutants which are carried across borders and contribute to global
pollution or health problems.
CI._____Noise disturbance from vehicles is an increasingly
common nuisance, especially in density built-up residential areas.
CJ._____High speed on highways increases the potential
for collisions and increases fuel consumption. Driving habits are causing
serious impacts to the environment and the health system.
CK._____Despite the poisoned air, crowed highways, and
hundreds of acres of over-crowed parking lots which strangle most urban
centers, the number of motor vehicles continue to rise at a staggering
rate.
CL._____Each year motor vehicles emit and dump millions
of kilograms of pollutants into the atmosphere. The dominant pollutants
are carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide,
particulates, and lead. Cars are in fact the main source of materials for
photochemical reactions which cause smog.
CM._____A major problem in controlling vehicles emissions
is that control systems deteriorate with use. Vehicles which meet standard
emission requirements when sold often are no longer able to maintain these
standards after a short period of use. The Polluter-pays Principle should
require owners to be responsible to maintain those control devices so that
they continue to function within the standards set by regulations.
CN._____Many consumer products and building materials
will add harmful substances to our air, water, soil, or our bodies; they
contain hazardous chemicals; they are not recyclable and use heavy packaging;
and they are not bio-degradable after use.
CO._____Consumers while shopping do not choose (as a
habit) items with minimal packaging and do not shop with reusable cotton
or synthetic material bags. CP._____Consumers
while shopping do not look (as a habit) for unpackaged bulk goods where
possible, buy durable multiuse items instead of single use disposable items.
CQ._____One approach in applying a sound behavior towards
energy is to consider the interaction of four elements : people, equipment,
available resources, and the home environment. This means energy efficiency
of a home is dependent and will be limited by the performance of its weakest
element. The excess capacity of any of the elements beyond that of the
weakest element is wasted capacity. The most cost-effective way to improve
performance is to identify and improve the weakest element. Most often
when energy efficiency drops, the weak element is people. Either energy
conservation has not been made a priority or members of the household are
not aware, concerned, and motivated about energy conservation. For energy
efficiency to be successful, there must be support of all household members,
realistic goals, designated responsibility, account of all household meters,
auditing energy use and establishing priorities.
CR._____The production and use of energy affects the
environment. Burning coal, oil and natural gas releases emissions into
the air that are known to be changing the earth's atmosphere. Using energy
efficiently will play an important role on our lives. Energy efficiency
has economic and environmental benefits. Using less energy saves money.
Environmental benefits include a decrease in fossil fuel pollutants. Energy
conservation achieved through efficiencies and demand reduction can cut
emissions significantly. With increased awareness about energy and for
importance of using energy efficiently individuals will be able to make
informed decisions about their own lifestyles.
CS._____The natural stock of forest yields the end-use
or consumption of cut timber. A sustained yield of timber must be reached
to satisfy the principles of sustainable development. To maintain the productive
capacity of the stock and sustain the income or benefits, people are asked
to replenish the stock once used. Consumption levels of the stock must
be maintained without depleting the quality and quantity of services the
stock brings in creating wealth. Sufficient investments must be made to
replenish timber stocks. For instance, an investment in reforestation is
necesary.
CT._____The Global Community Assessment Center
(GCAC) was created as it reflects our belief that global changes
have become challenges for effective policy making. The Center will
help societies prepare to meet these challenges. It will present to The
Global Community an annual assessment of the world changes.
CU._____The assessment and integration of local/global indicators will
be the supporting scientific framework from which new decisions will be
made. This knowledge is relevant to the management of global change and
will be used for future policy making.
CV._____Formal assessments such as those on Climate Change,
Human Development Report, World Development Report, struggle for Human
Rights, life species Conservation, Health, economic analyses, Biodiversity,
Commission on Sustainable Development etc., have bridged the distance between
incomplete science and contentious policy. No one really understand what
assessment processes have been most effective, or why others have failed.
There is a need to train the next generation of scientists, officials from
all levels of government,economists,statisticians,environmentalists,ecologists,
renewable and non-renewable resources specialists, business leaders,non-governmental
organizations, educators, health and social experts, Aboriginals and Natives,
home and community planners, policy analysts, international law specialists,
and the public in the skills of collaborating in the future management
of global changes. CW._____GCAC’s
goal is to explore how assessment of local/global indicators can better
link scientific understanding with the progressive implementation of effective
policy solutions to global changes. Achieving this integration is fundamental.
Societies need this annual assessment to effectively manage global change.
CX._____GCAC is the Centre of assessment of local/global indicators
about the four major quality systems: Environment, People, Economic Development
and the Availability of Resource. The assessment of these indicators will
result in giving The Global Community a sense of direction as to
ensure a sound future for Earth. Results are made available to The Global
Community.
CY._____GCAC is the Center of assessment of local/global
indicators about the four major quality systems: Environment, People, Economic
Development and the Availability of Resource. The assessment of these indicators
will result in giving The Global Community a sense of direction
as to ensure a sound future for Earth. Results are made available to The
Global Community.
CZ._____The technical definition of Sustainable Development
was given as being :
"a sound balance among the interactions of the impacts
(positive and/or negative), or stresses, on the four major quality systems:
People, Economic Development, Environment and Availability of Resources."
The non-technical definition was given as being:
"a sound balance among the interactions designed to create
a healthy economic growth, preserve environmental quality, make wise use
of our resources, and enhance social benefits."
DA._____The measurement of GSDP gives a proper and sound
signal to the public, government and industry about the rate and direction
of economic growth; it identifies environmental, health, and social quality;
it identifies sustainable and unsustainable levels of resource and environmental
uses; it measures the success or failure of sustainable development policies
and practices; and it identifies resource scarcity. Values obtained enable
us to make meaningful comparisons of sustainable development between cities,
provinces, nations over the entire planet.
DB._____The Global Community is defined as being
all that exists or occurs at any location at any time between the Ozone
layer above and the core of the planet below.
DC._____GCAC provides The Global Community
with workable sound solutions related to home and community development.
Present active research projects:1. Transboundary Assessments, 2. Impact
Assessment, 3. Policy Assessments, 4. Assessment of local/global indicators,
5. Integration of local/global indicators, 6. Integration of scientific
understanding to policy, 7. Management of Global Changes.
DD._____GCAC is working in cooperation with individuals,
industry, and government to create a global value shift toward a sustainable
future for Earth. DE._____The Global Community
aims to establish a new, permanent dialogue on measuring and managing sustainable
development. It is a grassroots process. Everyone is involved. We
belong and depend to The Global Community. We are worlds within
worlds orbiting through each other's place. We are all becoming linked
to others in faraway places on a much deeper level. If we work together
to keep our planet healthy, productive and hospitable, it will benefit
all people and living things.
DF._____The role of businesses, civic organizations,
and environmenmtal agencies in implementing the sustainable use of biodiversity
is important. Global link-ups are already happening at a fast rate. Business
leaders are much more sensitive to the greater, wider needs for their expertise
and are already in the process of creating a new kind of civilization.
DG._____The Earth Charter was adopted by The
Global Community organization. The charter is a declaration by every
human being to the commitment of responsibility to themselves and to one
another, and to sustaining Earth. The human spirit has made the evolutionary
leap. We all have a sense of universal responsibility, the local has linked
with the global, and human compassion and solidarity and kinship with all
life were strengthened. We are humble peoples and we have the greatest
respect of Nature. The Earth Charter is an acceptance and
commitment about peace, freedom, social and economic well-being, and ecological
protection; it also recognizes the interactions between aspects included
in the four major quality systems such as: economic, environmental, social,
availability of resources; and to global ethics and spiritual values.
DH._____One of the most important factors in our lives
is the inter-connection we now have to others, to other countries. Through
these connections we are able to create changes for good on a global scale.
We are all linked to others in faraway places on a much deeper level and
we are working together to keep our planet healthy, productive and hospitable
for all people and living things.
DI._____Education has become a mean to train everyone
of us in sustaining the Earth and in the skills of collaborating in the
management of global change. Children throughout the world are now being
educated in sustaining the Earth. We are all connected by this common
goal. Each one of us is 'a Global Community' from birth. Each
one of us also belongs to The Global Community.
DJ._____Over the past two decades the Earth has experienced
unprecedented growth in population, urban activity, community living, small
businesses and in 'clean' high tech products and technologies used in communications,
transportation, homes, and in the commercial and industrial sectors. New
environmentally conscious technologies and strategies are being developed
to handle waste products. Most waste should be eliminated from production
processes. A mix of economic policy instruments shuld be introduced to
render waste minimisation to an 'acceptable' level.
DK._____There has been a major shift to a sun energy
system.
DL._____Global consumption and the productive capacities
of Earth should be managed from the perspective of the global structure
of production and ecological impacts.
DM._____A City Model based on sustainable development
which integrates Land Use, Transportation, Urban Design,
and all other aspects in our lives and sustainable development should be
the new type of city model to be adopted by new communities. Using this
model, cities will be successful in protecting their unique character and
setting; natural and past heritage setting; wildlife habitats, nature grasslands,
riverine forests, whenever these were found within the city limits; cultural
diversity; natural resources and their availability; quality of life; health
and educational institutions; social equity; and dynamic economic growth.
DN._____Land use should encourage higher residential
densities throughout the urban area and especially in areas closer to transit
services. We would see more mixed uses of property and mixed land uses.
Rigid zoning of land should be abolished. A Sustainable Community Development
Codeshould be developed to keep contractors in line and is a complement
to the Building Code. Sustainable suburbs would render development
along city's edges affordable, environmentally friendly, and would be the
sites of interactive and diverses neighborhoods. Building designs should
make it easier for people to work at home. Community designs should make
it easier for residents to start up a small business, and carry on their
trades. The local community organization itself should find it easy to
start up a small business, and carry on its trade. Communities should become
more stable, self-reliant, and self-sufficient in all areas such as energy,
garbage and sewage disposal, and food. People should take responsibility
of their built environment, and communities should become environmentally,
socially, and economically sustainable.
DO._____Transportation has deeply changed the cultural
melting pot of cities and community living. Transport of passengers and
goods could be made more efficient, safe, and economical through a "use
pay" system to cover costs of the transportation networks and pollution
abatement. Cities should require an environmental impact assessment and
public review to be conducted whenever there is a need for new transportation
links, development or river crossings. Transit is critical in mitigating
environmental degradation so, today, ridership levels are high; services
should be closer to people and their work places; 'clean' technologies
and alternative fuels should be well in use; and policies and strategies
should be in place to discourage the use of the car and need to commute,
and encourage the use of transit, walking and cycling.
DP._____Crop genetic engineering has help farmers to
adapt crops to their own ecological settings, make farming sustainable,
and be more self-reliant. DPA._____Biotechnology should also be used in
other areas. There should also be more actions conducted to genetically
alter our species and help it toward a new evolutionary path to improve
its chances of survival.
DQ._____Global Corporate Ethics should become
the ways to do things when conducting finances, business deals, business
transactions, and dealing with labour, customers, consumers, partners,
shareholders, suppliers, community issues, human rights, ecology, safety
and health issues in the workplace, social justice, and all related women,
children and minorities issues.
DR._____New business performance indicators should be
developed to assess business conduct. These indicators would be designed
to be integrated within the framework for the measurement of sustainable
development. Each company corporate statements (along with policies and
practices statements) in place would stipulate that the company actions
will be responsible. A 'good corporate individual' would be defined to
include all social and environmental expectations within the framework
of sustainable development. Corporate social and environmental performance
standards must be met. Corporations themselves would take their responsibilities
by becoming involved in designing and implementing social and environmental
responsibility performance. The monitoring of corporate codes of conduct
would also be done by corporations themselves. Measuring corporate responsibility
should have the effect of improving business performance.
DS._____A workable type of tobin tax should be
in place to promote sustainable development. It would minimize the effects
of financial speculation and currency crises would no longer be a fear.
The Global Community organization would be given the tax and be
used entirely to finance a global sustainable development. The Global
Community Assessment Center would be active in findings sound solutions
to sustain Earth and its peoples.
DT._____In passing new laws, legislating new policies,
creating new programs and strategies, a specific goal must be kept in mind:
to increase Earth's ability to assure the continuation of life.
DU._____Economic instruments that reflect environmental
costs should be implemented to encourage decision-makers to take the environmental
consequences of their actions into account. Possible measures include:
effluent taxes, tradeable emission rights, deposit/refund systems and user
charges.
DV._____Sustainable development, with its focus on anticipating
and preventing environmental degradation before it occurs, means increased
emphasis on appropriate resource pricing and economic instruments to achieve
environmental objectives. These can ensure that the environment is more
fully considered in production and consumption decisions made at all levels
of society. DW._____Governments have available
policy instruments: information and consultation, standards and regulations,
permits and licensing. These instruments can be used singly and in combination
with economic instruments such as taxation, charges, pricing schemes and
subsidies to implement a broad range of policies.
DX._____Good science is essential for good environmental policy and sound
regulation. Environmental science encompasses both the social and physical
sciences and includes fundamental research, applied research, monitoring
and development of new technologies. Science helps us measure sustainable
development and identify new problems.More environmental science is needed
within all levels of government to support their legislative responsibilities,
particularly as they relate to such priority issues as environmental health,
toxicology, agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and water and air pollution.
DY._____Quantitative targets and schedules must be set
that will control global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse
gases. The world's forests are an important sink for carbon, thereby helping
to limit the built-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, many
forests are being threatened as land is cleared for agriculture and settlement
in developing countries. In the process, kilograms of carbon dioxide are
released into the atmosphere. It is the duty of every developed country
to increase its cooperation on the environment with developing countries.
These countries are today facing practically all the environmental problems
previously seen as confined to the industrialised countries (air pollution,
water pollution, contamination of the food chain, industrial accidents,
etc.) but they are facing them on a scale which we ourselves have never
known. The future security of the world environment will depend on whether
the developing countries are able to halt pollution, limit excessive urbanisation,
slow down the population explosion, and make themselves less vulnerable
to natural disasters. Cooperation with these countries is important, especially
if we wish to control worldwide hazards associated with pollution of the
atmosphere and the oceans, and with the destruction of the tropical forests.
The major environmental problems of the developing countries are connected
with the economic policies of the developed countries.
DZ._____The ultimate goal of better integration of environmental
and economic policies is the reduction and prevention of social costs.
Everyone, governments, representatives of policy fields, industry, trade-unions,
and NGOs, must agree that environmental aspects should be built into the
center of decision-making at an early stage.
EA._____The increased attention paid to environmental
hazards of energy production over the past decade is due to the growing
realisation that society's energy choices should improve wellbeing.
Since wellbeing is as profoundly influenced by environmental conditions
as by economics, sensible energy choices require systematic attention to
both economic and environment. Comprehensive information and assessment
of the environmental implications of energy strategies and systems are
needed for effective policy making in both the energy and environmental
fields.
EB._____The major environmental challenge which industrialized
countries will face over the next decade is the wise management of natural
resources for sustainable economic growth. The degradation of the basic
resources of water, soils, forests, fisheries, flora and fauna tends to
be incremental and cumulative. Unless we act now the situation will continue
to deteriorate, eventually forcing its way to the forefront of considerations,
nationally and globally, as a response to environmental crises of major
magnitude. Already global concern and the need for heavy food relief and
aid programmes in response to the land degradation and drought problems
provide grim evidence of the problems of inappropriate resource management.It
is the interest of The Global Community that every developed
country manage its "natural capital" as efficiently as possible and with
the same concern as is accorded the efficient use of other physical, financial
and human capital.
EC._____A Sustainable Home and community Development
will include the following parts: * Health care system, * Educational system,
* Seniors'care, * Food chain, nutrition, * Population growth, * Farming
communities, * Parks, * Psychological, biological, genetics and evolution,
* Spiritual pathways, * Entertainment, * Quality of life, customs and beliefs,
information access, communication, aesthetics * Decent housing, suitable
community services, * Pollution, waste, * An atmosphere of social justice,
* Family stability, * Religion, * Infrastructures and facilities, land
planning, * Juvenile crimes, gangs, drugs, illiteracy, * Socio-cultural
and political influences, multi-culturalism, laws, * Anthropological, Aboriginals,
Natives .
ED._____Fulfill the requirements for a sustainable development
by implementing economic activity that can advance sustainability by:
a) reducing per capita consumption of energy and resources;
b) reducing energy and resource content per unit of output;
c) reducing waste discharges per unit of output and in
total;
d) decreasing wastage of natural resources during harvesting
and processing, thus increasing the amount put to productive use.
EE._____Fulfill the requirements for a sustainable development
by implementing various conservation strategies such as:
a) the maintenance of ecological succession, soil regeneration
and protection, the recycling of nutrients and the cleansing of air and
water;
b) the preservation of biological diversity, which forms
the basis of life on Earth and assures our foods, many medicines and industrial
products;
c) the sustainable use of ecosystems and species such
as fish, wildlife, forests, agricultural soils and grazing lands so that
harvests do not exceed rates of regeneration required to meet future needs;
d) the use of non-renewable resources in a manner that
will lead to an economy that is sustainable in the long term. This will
require the development of renewable substitutes;
e) the reduction in soil erosion by changing farming
practices.
EF._____Fulfill the requirements for a sustainable development
by developing a combined social and economic accounting system that covers
not only the conventional economic indicators (GDP, GNP, etc.) but also
such matters as soil depletion, forest degeneration, the costs of restoring
a damaged environment and the effects of economic activity on health.
EG._____Fulfill the requirements for a sustainable development
by creating tests for sustainability:
a) the amount of arable land and forest that is being
lost;
b) the amount of silt in rivers coming from eroded farm
fields;
c) the loss of large numbers and even whole species of
wildlife;
d) the positive and negative impact of process and products
on health;
e) the impact of development on the stock of non-renewable
resources such as oil, gas, metals and minerals;
f) the impact of waste products;
g) the ability of new proposals to implement cleaner
and more resource-efficient techniques and technologies.
EH._____Fulfill the requirements for a sustainable development
by being committed to make forest management to include getting more value
out of the wood. This means wasting less of the trees that are cut and
making better use of what are now considered non-commercial tree speices.
EI._____Fulfill the requirements for a sustainable development
by requiring formal Environmental Impact Assessment for all major projects
so as to predict the sustainability of these developments and determine
whether impacts can be mitigated.
EJ._____Essential elements of an adequate urban and rural
development:
a) suitable community facilities and services;
b) decent housing and health care;
c) personal security from crime;
d) educational and cultural opportunities;
e) family stability;
f) efficient and safe transportation;
g) land planning;
h) an atmosphere of social justice;
i) aesthetic satisfaction;
j) responsive government subject to community participation
in decision-making;
k) energy conservation and energy efficiency are part
of the decision-making process and made part of the community design;
l) the application of the 4 Rs is integrated in the community
design;
m) community businesses, working areas, play areas, social
and cultural areas, education areas, and training areas;
n) the use of renewable energy sources, central heating
where possible, and cogeneration of electricity are made part of the community
design when possible;
o) the form of community development integrates concepts
such as cooperation, trust, interdependence, stewardship, and mutual responsibility;
p) promote self-sufficiency in all areas such as energy,
garbage, food and sewage disposal;
q) rely on locally-produced goods.
EK._____Health is created and lived by people within
a community: where they work, learn, play, and love. Health is a complex
state involving mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and social well-being.
Each community can develop its own ideas of what a healthy community is
by looking at its own situation, and finding its own solutions. Health
promotion generates living and working conditions that are safe, stimulating,
satisfying and enjoyable. To reach a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being, a community must be able to identify and to realize
aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change with the environment. The
overall guiding principle for the community is the need to encourage reciprocal
maintenance, totake of each other and the environment. The important part
of the thinking in both community health and ecological sustainability
is the need to find a sense of community as a crucial aspect of healthy
individual development.
Back to Index of Report on GESDI measurement
Back to top of the page
Back to the List of Participants with Research Papers
Back to Final Program
Back to Main Index of The Global Community organization
Survey Results from Participants
Index value Urgency or importance index, U
The impact, problem or concern may be resolved:
1 (not important, the cause of the impact may be let go)
within a century
2 within five decades
3 within one decade
4 within five years
5 within three years
6 within one year
7 within six months
8 within three months
9 within one month
10 (very important) no waiting allowed
The urgency or importance of resolving the following impact, problem or concern has an index value of:
Question |
Answer ( between 1 and 10 ) |
A |
|
B |
|
C |
|
D |
|
E |
|
F |
|
G |
|
H |
|
I |
|
J |
|
K |
|
L |
|
M |
|
N |
|
O |
|
P |
|
Q |
|
R |
|
S |
|
T |
|
U |
|
V |
|
W |
|
X |
|
Y |
|
Z |
|
AA |
|
AB |
|
AC |
|
AD |
|
AE |
|
AF |
|
AG |
|
AH |
|
AI |
|
AJ |
|
AK |
|
AL |
|
AM |
|
AN |
|
AO |
|
AOA |
|
AP |
|
AQ |
|
AR |
|
AS |
|
AT |
|
AU |
|
AV |
|
AW |
|
AX |
|
AY |
|
AZ |
|
BA |
|
BB |
|
BC |
|
BD |
|
BE |
|
BF |
|
BG |
|
BH |
|
BI |
|
BJ |
|
BK |
|
BL |
|
BM |
|
BN |
|
BO |
|
BP |
|
BQ |
|
BR |
|
BS |
|
BT |
|
BU |
|
BV |
|
BW |
|
BX |
|
BY |
|
BZ |
|
CA |
|
CB |
|
CC |
|
CD |
|
CE |
|
CF |
|
CG |
|
CH |
|
CI |
|
CJ |
|
CK |
|
CL |
|
CM |
|
CN |
|
CO |
|
CP |
|
CQ |
|
CR |
|
CS |
|
CT |
|
CW |
|
CX |
|
CY |
|
CZ |
|
DA |
|
DB |
|
DC |
|
DD |
|
DE |
|
DF |
|
DG |
|
DH |
|
DI |
|
DJ |
|
DK |
|
DL |
|
DM |
|
DN |
|
DO |
|
DP |
|
DPA |
|
DQ |
|
DR |
|
DS |
|
DT |
|
DU |
|
DV |
|
DW |
|
DX |
|
DY |
|
DZ |
|
EA |
|
EB |
|
EC |
|
ED |
|
EE |
|
EF |
|
EG |
|
EH |
|
EI |
|
EJ |
|
EK |
|
Survey Results from Participants
|
1
|
2
|
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
A
|
3
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B
|
3
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C
|
6
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D
|
4
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E
|
4
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
J
|
8
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K
|
9
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
L
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N
|
8
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O
|
7
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
P
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q
|
10
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
R
|
8
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S
|
9
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
T
|
8
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U
|
8
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
V
|
7
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y
|
9
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Z
|
10
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AA
|
10
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AB
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AC
|
7
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AD
|
6
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AE
|
6
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AF
|
9
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AG
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AH
|
3
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AI
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AJ
|
8
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AK
|
9
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AL
|
9
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AN
|
5
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AO
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AOA
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AP
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AQ
|
6
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AR
|
6
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AS
|
5
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AT
|
4
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AU
|
6
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AV
|
5
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AX
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AY
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AZ
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BA
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BB
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BC
|
2
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BD
|
3
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BE
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BF
|
7
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BG
|
5
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BH
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BI
|
3
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BJ
|
3
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BK
|
2
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BL
|
4
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BM
|
5
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BN
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BO
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BP
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BQ
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BR
|
10
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BS
|
10
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BT
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BU
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BV
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BW
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BX
|
9
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BY
|
7
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BZ
|
8
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CA
|
10
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CB
|
9
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CC
|
10
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CD
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CE
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CF
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CG
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CH
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CI
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CJ
|
2
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CK
|
7
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CL
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CM
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CN
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CO
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CP
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CQ
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CR
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CS
|
6
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CT
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CU
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CV
|
8
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CW
|
9
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CX
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CY
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CZ
|
9
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DA
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DB
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DC
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DD
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DE
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DF
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DG
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DH
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DI
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DJ
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DK
|
7
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DL
|
7
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DM
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DN
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DO
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DP
|
8
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DPA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DQ
|
9
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DR
|
8
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DS
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DT
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DU
|
9
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DV
|
9
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DW
|
8
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DX
|
10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DY
|
6
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DZ
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EA
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EB
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EC
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ED
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EE
|
8
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EF
|
7
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EG
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EH
|
6
|
5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EI
|
6
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EJ
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EK
|
9
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. Dr. Raghbendra Jha
2. Louise Dunne
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Back to Index of Report on GESDI measurement
Back to top of the page
Back to the List of Participants with Research Papers
Back to Final Program
Back to Main Index of The Global Community organization
Back to top of the page
Back to the List of Participants with Research Papers
Back to Final Program
Back to Main Index of The Global Community organization
Back to Index of Report on GESDI measurement
Back to top of the page
Back to the List of Participants with Research Papers
Back to Final Program
Back to Main Index of The Global Community organization
|