Your definition of ecologically sustainable development? And how do we achieve this?

Question

Your definition of ecologically sustainable development? And how do we achieve this?

Answer 1

I think that the media puts to much emphasis on going green now, and making it seem as if we do it will solve all our problems in the next decade, I'm not saying we shouldn't, because we defiantly need to protect the environment, but I don't believe its a fragile to be shattered by a hundred or so years of extreme carbon emissions, so, yeah, protect the environment, drive a hybrid, don't pollute, but don't get worked into a frenzy by the media over there theory of were all gonna die, because if the ecosystem collapses, it wont be in our life time.  

Answer 2

Good question.  And lots of mushy feel-good answers to choose from.

To cut to the chase.  Our standard of living in America is totally dependent on the amount of energy we use.  The only economical, reliable renewable source is hydroelectric.  Other renewables (wind, solar, ethanol) are unreliable and/or not economic.

All the other energy we use is non-renewable, including nuclear.

So my definition of ecologically sustainable development is simply "maintaining the overall standard of living, and making it better for future generations."

Going back to living in huts, on the edge of starvation, watching children die before age five is not my "sustainable development" ideal, even if some folks seem to think so.