Our Common Humanity in the Information Age. Principles and Values for Development

RESPECT FOR NATURE AND SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT , DELIBERATIONS OF T HE YOUTH 
THINK TANK ON OUR COMMON HUMANITY
Deepen Shah, Youth Representative, Temple of Understanding
Living in a world bound by instantaneous connection and information, we exist and 
utilize the world’s resources for our own humanity. As the basics of science and nature 
have taught us, nothing lasts forever. With this in mind, we must realize the value and 
importance of natural resources and the availability of such resources with respect to 
environmental and social factors.
We can see trends towards global warming and the devastating effects that are going on 
around our planet. Reports from foremost experts in the fields of environmental science 
have repeatedly mentioned that there are massive detrimental damage being done to the 
planet on an ongoing basis and if we continue at this rate – in the coming years, we may 
be past the point at which we can fully recover. Here are some recommendations as to 
how to prevent this.

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Chapter III – Respect for Nature and Sustainable Development | 65 
Action Steps
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1. Start with friends and family: It is incredibly important to have dialogue. Educating 
those closest to us is one of the most effective strategies to make change. Hosting local 
parties on various topics of importance can instigate change on a personal level, which, in 
turn, can have tremendous effects on society at large. Oftentimes, people only need to be 
made aware of the issues the world faces. Sometimes, just a spark is all that is needed. 
2. Think globally. Act locally: Sometimes the most amazing accomplishments, with the 
most far-reaching consequences, can start with what may otherwise be considered as a 
simple concept. One of the best examples of this is the Green Belt Movement led by 
Nobel Laureate, Wangari Maathai. Dr. Maathai started with a basic concept - planting 
trees - which led to a reforestation effort that ultimately helped a country. Similarly, the 
incredible affects of micro-loans initiated by Dr. Muhammad Yunus have changed the 
dynamics of the world’s most vulnerable in ways previously unfathomed. What each of 
these individuals have in common is that they each took an otherwise minimal idea and 
turned it into something beneficent, something remarkable. For example, we can not only 
drive energy efficient cars with new and exciting technologies (such as hydroelectric 
engines and the like) but we can install water conserving toilets. We can recycle. We can 
harness the power of the sun. Even something as simple as using fluorescent lighting can 
help save valuable resources and, in turn, create a more sustainable environment.
3. Plan Smartly: Development in both urban and rural areas needs to be less about the 
developer’s profits and more about the environmental concerns. It is possible to marry 
utility with both environmental and health consciousness through good urban planning 
retaining green-spaces and promoting walk-ability, using mixed-use practices, and 
providing efficient public transportation to reduce congestion and atmospheric pollution. 
Many of these basic ideas are not observed.
4. Remain conscious of the power of our pocketbooks: the option not to buy can be 
persuasive. Individuals can make a significant impact by holding companies accountable 
through not purchasing their products unless they adopt more environmentally/health-
conscious practices.
5. Get involved: Join or s tart a movement. Go to town-hall meetings. Call or write to your 
local representative. Be relentless. It’s the only way to make change.
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Written by Ryan Nevel – a youth participant of the Common Humanity in the Information Age 
think-tank on November 28
th 
2006, as recommendations of the Youth Forum.

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66 | Our Common Humanity in the Information Age 
Today’s youth may face environmental issues at an enormous scale in the coming years. 
We may have the bear the burden of major climate shifts and come up with solutions that 
address these issues, and on the other front. As a youth think-tank, we are prepared to 
have more responsibility and engage other youth to do the same.
Within the last 25 years, the trend of being socially responsible and socially conscious 
has entered everything from mainstream fashion design to architecture, from consumer-
end products to internet architecture. Now businesses are starting to take a major look at 
how sustainable responsible products can have an impact with cost savings and 
environmental benefits. Consumers are realizing the impact on how clothing, home 
lighting, automobiles, and other products may cost the same as traditional products, yet 
emit less environmental waste. With the recent trend of sustainable thinking, we are 
certainly headed on the right path of environmental sustainability. Some websites such as 
5limes.com and ireuse.com make it extremely easy for consumers to see what products 
are eco friendly, and to recycle products they do not currently use. With information such 
as this at our fingertips, there is no reason not to move in this direction.

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