What does is an example of a government making the environment a priority at the highest levels look like? Let's review some recent constitutional examples to answer this question.
Bhutan's first constitution resulted in two draft documents produced in 2005 and is scheduled to take affect in 2008. The document pronounces that it is every person's responsibility to pay attention to the environment. Article 5.1 states that, "Every Bhutanese is a trustee of the Kingdom's natural resources and environment for the benefit of the present and future generations and it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to contribute to the protection of the natural environment, conservation of the rich biodiversity, and prevention of all forms of ecological degradation including noise, visual and physical pollution through the adoption of environmentalfriendly practices and policies."
In addition, the government also has responsibilities to conserve and protect the environment. Article 5.2 further states that The Royal Government shall,
- Protect, conserve and improve the pristine environment and safeguard biodiversity
- Prevent pollution and ecological degradation
- Secure ecologically balanced sustainable development while promoting justifiable economic and social development
- Ensure a healthy and ecologically safe environment
The public message delivered from Bhutan's governmental officials is consistent with their policies on paper. For example a statement from the Bhutan Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Lyonpo Jigmi Thinley, says that "sustainable development and environmental care is in the interest of every human being every day, not just in the interest of future generations alone."
Article 33 of the new Iraq constitution, is much more limited. It states that, "every individual has a right to live in a correct environmental atmosphere and the state guarantees protection and preservation of the environment and biological diversity." It is a very general statement.
The current wording of the European Union constitution now includes recognition that all animals are sentient beings. Article III-121 states the following: "In formulating and implementing the Union's agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research and technological development and space policies, the Union and the Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the requirements of animal welfare, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of Member States relating in particular to religious rites, cultural traditions and regional heritage."
What is the difference? The Iraq constitution does not state that each and every human is responsible for the protection of the environment. It leaves the responsibility solely in the hands of the government. On the other hand, in Bhutan, care for the environment is a part of the culture and a person's everyday life. It stems from the Buddhist concept of sunyata that holds that no subject or object has a unique existence. The interconnectedness of all dimensions of life is recognized. In contrast, the EU recognizes animal welfare, but it currently lacks jurisdiction, and is only one form of environmental protection.
What is the best way forward, not only for single nation states, but for the benefit of the earth's ecosystem as a whole? How do we develop a global society that has respect for all living systems?
The link between Mind and Social / Environmental-Issues.
The fast-paced, consumerist lifestyle of Industrial Society is causing exponential rise in psychological problems besides destroying the environment. All issues are interlinked. Our Minds cannot be peaceful when attention-spans are down to nanoseconds, microseconds and milliseconds. Our Minds cannot be peaceful if we destroy Nature.
Industrial Society Destroys Mind and Environment.
Subject : In a fast society slow emotions become extinct.
Subject : A thinking mind cannot feel.
Subject : Scientific/ Industrial/ Financial thinking destroys the planet.
Subject : Environment can never be saved as long as cities exist.
Emotion is what we experience during gaps in our thinking.
If there are no gaps there is no emotion.
Today people are thinking all the time and are mistaking thought (words/ language) for emotion.
When society switches-over from physical work (agriculture) to mental work (scientific/ industrial/ financial/ fast visuals/ fast words ) the speed of thinking keeps on accelerating and the gaps between thinking go on decreasing.
There comes a time when there are almost no gaps.
People become incapable of experiencing/ tolerating gaps.
Emotion ends.
Man becomes machine.
A society that speeds up mentally experiences every mental slowing-down as Depression / Anxiety.
A ( travelling )society that speeds up physically experiences every physical slowing-down as Depression / Anxiety.
A society that entertains itself daily experiences every non-entertaining moment as Depression / Anxiety.
FAST VISUALS /WORDS MAKE SLOW EMOTIONS EXTINCT.
SCIENTIFIC /INDUSTRIAL /FINANCIAL THINKING DESTROYS EMOTIONAL CIRCUITS.
A FAST (LARGE) SOCIETY CANNOT FEEL PAIN / REMORSE / EMPATHY.
A FAST (LARGE) SOCIETY WILL ALWAYS BE CRUEL TO ANIMALS/ TREES/ AIR/ WATER/ LAND AND TO ITSELF.
To read the complete article please follow either of these links :
http://www.planetsave.com/ps_mambo/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&Itemid=75&func=view&id=68&catid=6
http://www.earthnewswire.com/index.php?option=com_forum&Itemid=89&page=viewtopic&t=11
sushil_yadav
Posted by: sushil_yadav | November 05, 2006 at 06:19 PM