Will we achieve our goals?

HM Government describes Sustainable Development (SD) as:
‘’ 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' ‘’
http://www.defra.gov.uk/sustainable/government/what/index.htm

I like this definition. It is simple and to the point. Anyone can understand it.
I don’t think we will meet our goals for the following reasons:

1) Education - The schools have not had SD in the curriculum long enough to develop the ideas more, and even now are vague. If the idea of SD was introduced at a younger age and throughout education it will be a way of life and as an adult, hopefully won’t be tackling the issue as a ‘new problem’ it will be a continuing problem.

2) Money – It’s not cheap saving the planet and at the current situation of the UK it’s the last thing on people’s minds! (Which is a shame really)

3) Culture – Over the last few decades the UK has become more and more of a ‘throw away nation’ most things are disposable and most packaging is unnecessary.

4) Agriculture – With the increasing amount of pesticides being used that are unsustainable. This can be helped by using organic methods of farming.

These threats can be overcome. They just need a little thought and consideration.

Sustainable communities.

Trying to make a community sustainable isn’t as easy as it sounds. In February 2003, Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, launched the Sustainable Communities Plan.‘’This East Midlands Regional Action Plan provides the tools to build
successful, thriving and inclusive communities – communities in
which people want to live and which:
♦ are economically prosperous;
♦ have decent homes at a price people can afford;
♦ safeguard the countryside;
♦ enjoy a well-designed, accessible and pleasant living and
working environment;
♦ are effectively and fairly governed with a strong sense of community.’’The paper also goes on to say that Northamptonshire is an area for major growth between 2001 and 2031. ‘’The aim is to create liveable communities
based around streets with mixed uses, good public transport, and the use of high quality, and where possible, locally sourced and sustainable materials.’’(http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/143603.pdf)

I live in Little Billing, this is in the Ward of Billing and is just to the east of Northampton town centre. This area has good access to the M1 and other major road links. The area isn’t particularly a deprived area, but a bit of a mixture. My SOA is Northampton 016B. According to the 2001 census, the age structure is mostly people aged 45-59 which is 25.57% of the people living here. The least amount of people, 0.40% are 90 or over. Out of all the people, (16 years to 74 years old), living in my SOA, 557 out of 1,120 (49.73%) people are economically active full –time. I think this is pretty good.

A Decade of Education for Sustainable Development

The Decade 2105-2104 is the 'United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development'. This means that the United Nations has set a goal 'to integrate the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning. This educational effort will encourage changes in behaviour that will create a more sustainable future in terms of environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for present and future generations.' All ages are getting involved. 'The publication argues that as early childhood education is about laying a sound intellectual, psychological, emotional, social and physical foundation, it has an enormous potential in fostering values, attitudes and skills that support sustainable development. The publication argues that as early childhood education is about laying a sound intellectual, psychological, emotional, social and physical foundation, it has an enormous potential in fostering values, attitudes and skills that support sustainable development.'


(The Contribution of Early Childhood Education to a Sustainable Society, 2008) (http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=56601&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)


I belive early years is the best place to start learning for a sustainable development. Teaching an 'old dog new tricks' or an old aged pensioner how to be sustainable is hard for them to get their head around! If they start when they are young it is a way of life for them and they don't know any different.

'Within the next 10 years, the higher education sector in this country will be recognised as a major contributor to society's efforts to achieve sustainability - through the skills and knowledge that its graduates learn and put into practice, and through its own strategies and operations.' (HEFCE strategy for Sustainability, 2005-2008 )

The University of Northampon will 'Ensure students can access skills and knowledge to enable them to make an informed contribution to sustainable development.'

http://www2.northampton.ac.uk/portal/page/portal/learningandteaching/students/sustainability
What is learnt at University will be carried on and taught to families and friends not so familiar with the ideas of sustainability.

Knowledge of sustainable development is essencial in this day and age. With fossil fuels running out and CO2 emissions rising we need to act now. We have been ignorant towards our planet and if we are able to reduce global warming we should, its not hard.

I agree with Haigh (2005) that Geography is best placed to deliver this curriculum. I don't know where else it would fit. It could possibly fit into P.S.E (Physical and Social Education) or something similar? We had this class at Moulton School and it included sex education, drugs and managing money. It could possible be placed in this class.

I am very much enjoying the learning for a sustainable development module, it has tought me more about we can do and why we do it.

The credit crunch

I went to the ATM this morning and it said “insufficient funds”.
I’m wondering is it them or me.

Q: With the current market turmoil, what’s the easiest way to make a small fortune?
A: Start off with a large one.

I like fast cars and bikes as much as the next person, but in this time of economic downfall needs must. I can't think of anything better right now than jetting off to a carribean island, but we'll save that for the wedding next year! With rising petrol, gas and electric prices people are cutting down, borrowing less and houses being reposseed, we really need to cut down. It is not 100% the fault of the borrowers, but the lenders too.
I believe that from a sustainable point of view it is good as people are watching what they are doing and using less raw materials. I have always lived by the rule: if I can't afford it I can't have it. If the money isn't in the bank and 'spare' the item whatever it may be will stay in the shop.

Q: With the current market turmoil, what’s the easiest way to make a small fortune?
A: Start off with a large one.

If people stay in their means and are cutting down I believe that something good will come out of the credit crunch or it might end up like this......

Travel survey

Last week we undertook a travel survey to find out how many people traveled to Park Campus in a car and how many were in each car at a given time throughout the day. Out group had the first slot of the day, 8am-9am. I believe this is the busiest period of the day for traffic to be coming in to the car park. Althought it was a busy time and there were lots of cars going into the car park at one time, it was easy to tally the cars between the two of us as the barriers only let in one car at a time. The amount of cars and the amount of people in each car didn't surprise me either, as a car driver myself traveling into uni it is hard to car share if there is no one living near you or their timetables are very different. This can prove to be difficult to car share.
The way the research was undertaken was the easiest and the best way to collect the data.
I wouldn't change the activity but would carry out the survey through out the week.

One

I don't think just one person can make much difference in sustainability. Infact I don't think just one country can make a difference. I think the whole planet should pull their finger out of their backside and do something. Why should the UK go out of their way to try and make a difference when countries like China and the USA are producing more greenhouse gasses than ever.

UN Debate

My worst nightmere is to stand up infront of a class of people and talk to them (unless their children.) So when I heard about the next assignment I just wanted a big hole to open up and swallow me!
Once paired up with a member of the class, who at the time I had no idea who he was! We were given a totally random country. We got Malawi. Great. Trying to find sustainable stratagies they have was a nightmere! There wasn't much info about. There was a lot of different ways that countries are trying to sustain their development.
From this exercise I learn't that I am definatly not a good public speaker! Our presentation went ok, but could have been a lot better! If I was more confident and we had an eaiser counrty it would have gone better. Our handout was sufficient,but again, could have been better.
If we were to do the exercise again I would be ill that day. I learnt that there is lots of different ways to be sustainable.