Sustainability is well on its way to become the ‘Most crucial cause on Earth for Earth’ . It has done well by integrating itself with the prominent entities: the businesses, the government and the academia. Amidst the new found attention and stardom, it is important to remain truthful to its essence. The question of development is contentious and necessitates treading a fine path between ‘yes’ and ‘no’. The inconspicuous links in the sustainability chain have been ignored hitherto. A forging of these links will strengthen the cause and allow its diffusion to all walks of life. I present here, my assessment of the links in the sustainability chain. I don’t vouch for the political correctness of the arguments but assure you the ethical straightness.
Nature
In Nikos Kazantzakis’ novel “Zorba the Greek”, the narrator says, “I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm.” Preoccupied by our aspirations, we have failed to converse with nature to understand the functional intricacies. We failed to live in tune with it. At the core of all the laws of nature is the balance and our actions should not belie the prevailing equilibrium.
Equity In Society
We are not chasing the Utopian dream. But, we appreciate if there is an equitable inclusive space risen above parochial considerations where we can coexist in peace. In such a space, people have their rightful share of wealth and live with dignity enjoying free choice and freedom unconditionally. When such quality living conditions are once created, the collective consciousness of the society would preclude its degradation. Thereby the very act of creation makes it a sustainable living space.
Art
MK Gandhi watched the story of King Harishchandra enacted by a drama troupe and stayed committed to the principle of truth for his life. Why, the contemporary cinema, a powerful art by virtue of being an amalgam of other art forms fails to deliver a liberating experience. Dicaprio and Derangement spoke about climate change. Cinema, literature and music should address these issues in their unique way relevant to the present context. Beyond awareness, art can bring about a deep realization for the cause and can effect transformation of minds. Awaiting to see the duets in the alps getting substituted by the melting glaciers.
Synthesis
We are not new here. We have a minimum of two thousand years of documented existence before us. Are we going to abandon all that wisdom? Shouldn’t we synthesize a comprehensive idea of development from the old and new. The old with all its experience and the new with all its exuberance, will form a powerful combination in solving the conundrum of development by traversing the path of sustainability. It is an utter folly to jeopardize the extant sustainable mechanisms that evolved over the years under the pretext of development.
Learning
The annals of history are filled with human errors and it is imperative that we astutely learn from the past. A classic example is European nations coming together to integrate themselves in the aftermath of World War II. Learning is central to ensure that our decisions are sustainable. Imbibing universal humanitarian values in the process of learning and infusing the ability to understand and appreciate the immensity of this existence should be the essence of our education
William Thomson Kelvin said, ” Within a finite period of time past, the earth must have been, and within a finite period of time to come the earth must again be, unfit for the habitation of man.” Kelvin’s words cannot be dismissed as a sweeping statement devoid of logic. It comes as a relief that the finite period is not specified. Our decisions and actions are the deciders. Nature whispers secrets to the one who listens. Let us listen and then act. If we do so, the possibilities of perpetual sustenance of life on Earth are not remote