The ethics of sustainable development
‘nonlinearity…surprise, heterogeneity’ 13 due to the interdependence between the human and environmental factors in the systems. These SES go through phases of ‘growth and exploitation, conservation and reorganization ’ . 14 It is through this growth and reorganization that complex SES can ‘adapt and transform’ . 15 Management of these systems can be incredibly difficult and thus requires adaptive governance with a focus on being ‘flexible and collaborative,’ 16 connecting individuals with relevant organization s across multiple scales to bring greater ‘social and institutional context’ 17 to get a detailed understanding of the different interactions between social and ecological factors across an area. Therefore, models of adaptive governance in smaller SES could be used by governments in developing countries. The collaborative and adaptable nature of these systems can be used by governments to connect their people with local and international organizations using their resources to work closely on specific issues in communities. Poverty and other hardships can be reduced with a smaller impact on the environment by providing more efficient solutions to these problems. Also, governments in underdeveloped co untries can embrace ‘attitudes and worldviews that support the active stewardship of ecosystem processes’ by working with developed nations and using technological advancements and greater resources to advance sustainable development. Finally, developing nations can use the adaptive and resilient processes in smaller SES to reduce vulnerability to the impacts of climate change by exploring different methods and transforming their management of their people to provide targeted solutions to different problems. Therefore, while deep ecology can be seen to be too utopian to provide use to developing nations, by recognizing socio-economic factors and using adaptive governance, sustainable development becomes more practical. To conclude, sustainable development is a complex issue due to the conflict between the desire for economic growth in underdeveloped countries and the need for more environmental consideration in reducing the disastrous effects of climate change. However, if developed countries can effectively collaborate with developing nations to provide resources, technology and advice, short-term losses in growth can be reduced and the effectiveness and ease of implementing sustainable methods of development can be increased. Developed nations could fulfil their moral obligation to make up for their degrading development and global utility would be improved by reducing the effect of climate change that threatens every aspect of human life. If this global collaboration is achieved, it is not unreasonable for developed countries to demand sustainable development at the cost of immediate growth from developing countries.
13 Akamani 2019. 14 Ibid.: 4. 15 Ibid.: 4. 16 Ibid.: 4. 17 Ibid.: 5.
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