Introduction
CERES is recognized as an international leader in taking initiative to conserve the environment and promoting sustainability. According to the Australian Government Department of the Environment (2014), “CERES is a robust community organization working to change the world for the better by instilling values of economic, social, and environmental sustainability” (2014, p. 1). Environmental sustainability ensures that resources are managed in a manner to ensure there is enough for future generations.
Principles of environmental sustainability
Integration of Environmental and economic decisions
The economic decisions formulated should reflect the likely effects on the environment, social, and human health.
Stewardship
The environment should be managed for the equal benefits of the current and future generations.
Shared responsibility and Understanding
The stakeholders in environmental sustainability should be accountable for their actions.
Prevention
All activities that are likely to have adverse effects on the environment should be avoided.
Conservation and enhancement
Life support systems of the environment should be installed and properly maintained. Renewable and non-renewable resources should be used in a wise and efficient manner.
Rehabilitation and Reclamation
There should be initiatives to rehabilitate the destroyed environment.
Global Responsibility
Environmental sustainability stakeholders should think globally and act locally. They should work together to ensure there is the equitable and responsible use of resources.
Adopting principles of sustainable Development
Engage environment-friendly activities
Local communities should engage in activities that do not harm the environment. The farming methods used should not degrade the environment. The major causes of environmental degradation are irresponsible human activities. The local communities should reduce the irresponsible disposal of wastes. The industries in the local communities should stop releasing wastes to the water bodies. This will reduce the destruction of the ecosystem.
Rehabilitation of destroyed parts of the environment by local communities
The local communities should take the initiative to rehabilitate the environment. The poorly disposed of wastes should be removed and taken to the right places. The local people can also embark on reforestation to rehabilitate destroyed forests. This will attract rains to the land and improve wildlife.
Principles of sustainable living promoted by CERES
CERES has numerous community projects that are meant to promote sustainable living. These include:
- CERES Ecohouse.
- Café for fine organic food and drinks.
- Organic farm and market.
- Festival and education programs.
- Permaculture and native plant varieties.
- Independently managed site groups and volunteers with the responsibility of environmental rehabilitation.
Principles to adopt
Principle of Festivals and education programs
Education is important because it helps people understand the importance of environmental sustainability and the activities that harm the environment. It would help people recognize that the activities they engage in can have adverse effects on the environment and will affect future generations.
Nursery with permaculture and native plant varieties
Permaculture is crucial because it ensures there are sound systems to maintain the environment (Mollison, 1988). Permaculture operates under three major tenets which include care for the earth, care for people, and return of surplus.
Care for the earth: This entails the provision for all life systems to ensure there are continuity and multiplication (Greenblott, and Kristof 2012).
Care for people: This principle ensures that the resources needed for people to survive are affordable and available in sufficient quantities.
Return of surplus: This tenet states that any surplus of resources should be invested back into the system so that more productivity is achieved.
The two principles of sustainable living are sufficient for ensuring that there are suitable systems to support environmental sustainability. Adopting them will ensure that every person acts responsibly in utilizing both renewable and non-renewable resources.
Principles not to adopt
Having a cafe with fine organic food and drinks is a good idea but does not address significant challenges affecting environmental sustainability. Organic food and drinks ensure people eat healthy food and the environment is maintained, but may not necessarily be a solution to environmental challenges. Educating people on organic farming has better results than having cafes with fine organic food and drinks. This principle is already captured under an organic farm and market. What it can achieve is also achievable through organic farms and markets.
The idea of having a range of independently managed site groups and volunteers is a great idea but still can be handled under CERES festivals and education programs. In both principles, the central idea is to teach and inspire people to serve the community in the area of environmental sustainability. It would be a duplication of goals and objectives because the two programs can achieve the same results.
CERES has been on the vanguard to ensure environmental sustainability is achieved in Australia. It has put in place a number of principles to guide communities on sustainability. It also has developed principles of sustainable living that help individuals and communities live in a manner that does not harm the environment. If these principles are fully implemented, the challenge of environmental sustainability will be tackled conclusively. People should only engage in activities that only promote sustainability and shun those that cause degradation.
Reference List
Australian Government Department of the Environment 2014, Ecologically Sustainable Development Steering Committee, Ecologically Sustainable Development Steering Committee, Sydney.
Greenblott, K, & Kristof N 2012, Permaculture Design for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programming: Low-Cost, Sustainable Solutions for Food and Nutrition Insecure Communities, AIDSTAR, Arlington.
Mollison, B 1988, Permaculture: A Designers’ Manual, Tagari Publications, New York.