Self-reliance versus sustainability
Self-reliance
A dictionary definition: Reliance on oneself or one's own powers, resources, etc.Sustainability
'Sustainable' defined -a: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged, e.g. <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture>
b: of, or relating to, a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods, e.g. <sustainable society>
Meeting the needs of today without adversely impacting on the needs of tomorrow.
Native Americans look all the way through to the 7th generation for the effects of any decision they make. This has been true for many indigenous peoples throughout the world - looking to see how what we do today will affect our grandchildren and their children.
Maybe sustainability is simply not using up resources faster than they can be replenished. How long does it take to grow the tree we use for our houses? How long does it take to make the oil we use to create all the products we use?
Self-reliance = Sustainability?
Can we be sustainable without being self reliant? A community such as Golden Bay can be sustainable and still use products from other parts of New Zealand if those products are also sustainably produced. Yet that is not self-reliance.If we are truly self reliant in Golden Bay, then we must be sustainable by being able to provide for our needs today and tomorrow.
Self-reliance = Sustainable.
The Golden Bay Self-Reliance Community Forum has been a kick-off event to bring together the widest cross section of people to address the needs of Golden Bay and find solutions to sustainability issues such as Peak Oil.
Golden Bay has been fortunate to have had many groups to work on these, and similar issues, in the past. Our goal is to unify and bring the entire community together to put solutions into action for self-reliance.
We welcome your participation.
Your comments
Sol Morgan 7 December 2007 9:25 p.m.I think the aim is to be as self reliant as we can be, under the current circumstances. Lots has to change before we even come close to being self reliant, if at all. The biggest challenge is peoples expectations. But we have to start somewhere. Being as self reliant as possible is about living sustainably. The basis of original economics as I understand it is about sorting out our own needs first then those around us, our community and then trading the surplus. Thats a big ask at the moment but we start where we can. We can all have a vegetable and fruit garden. Many people can grow trees, run livestock, make things etc. So thats where we begin. And this project is IT. What a GREAT start. Lets keep up the GREAT work and see Golden Bay become more and more self reliant.
Michael Thomas 11 December 2007 2:08 p.m.
Yes, if we are self reliant, then we will be living sustainably. I agree with starting in our personal lives, then spreading out to our community and hopefully then globally.
Good ideas about what we all can do.
