The Future of Sustainability: Have Your Say!

Week One - “Global Challenges to Sustainability in the Twenty-First Century”
Comment / Comentario / Commentaire

Rick Murphy, Gorilla Conservation/Education, Congo

Moderating team: Rick Murphy emphasizes more grass roots action for sustainability in Africa, including international pressure on logging, sustainable farming, education, support of democratic movement, more open discussion of population issues.

Rick Murphy enfatiza la necesidad de mayores acciones de base. En Africa, por ejemplo, es necesaria mayor presión internacional en la extracción de madera, agricultura sostenible, educación, soporte del movimiento democrático y una discusión abierta sobre temas de población.

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First, I believe the use of 'negative' words to get the attention of the general public is appropriate though it becomes overwhelming when you have the media exploiting environmental stories on a daily basis. Now, we have a reinvented Al Gore telling us about the catastrophes associated with global warming - a phrase that appears over used. So much disputed information is put forth about global warming that the public is numb to it. Unfortunately, this has become an agenda driven issue. And this is how the public becomes divided.

I'll speak about Africa in saying that we need more grass roots efforts to build programs that start within villages in close proximity to the areas we are trying to preserve. While that is being developed I believe we need more International pressure put on logging concessions as well as support for cargo security/inspection at the ports of African countries to help slow the exportation of bushmeat. On this subject, even small, local level programs give people alternatives to hunting/poaching. Education is vital. And not only basic primary education but secondary as well. Teaching local tribes about the animals and the forests in which they live is half the battle. It's amazing to see a person living in such poor conditions get excited about protecting an animal, all the while they and their families are just trying to survive. We must give them a chance to make a living as well as educating people about sustainable farming techniques.

Yes, it will take a huge continued effort to support a change toward democracy in some African countries as well as rid them of the ongoing corruption that allows exploitation of their natural resources though it is a must. Exploitation often benefits a few of those with power while the people continue to suffer. It is vital to support change if we are to advance the protection of Africa's incredible biodiversity.

Some of these suggestions may sound like old ideas though they are as relevant today as they were years ago.

With the mention of the six billion plus population we have arrived at a time when we must openly discuss the size of families. It is a controversial subject but with the explosion of the worlds population (some countries with a billion people) we need more focus on this subject. In some cultures it is looked upon as a blessing to have many children, the reality is we are not, at this rate, going to be able to sustain this population so we must expand this dialog to penetrate these cultures.