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08-03-2007, 6:06 PM Dagmar Joined on 06-11-2007 Posts 4 STOCKHOLM FOLLOW-UP: Comments on the CONTEXT PAPER NOTE: To post your comments on the draft paper, please press the *REPLY* button, on the right of this message. This context paper aims to highlight the general values, concepts and principles that many of us NGOs and other stakeholders feel are important for sustainable production and consumption patterns. It is a reminder of some of the previous commitments that have been made under the auspices of the UN, and puts forth some important policies and action points for meaningful change. We are seeking your input to strengthen this paper for the Marrakech Process. This context paper is complementary to the 2-page position paper that was distributed at Stockholm. In order for the Marrakech Process Steering Committee to receive these documents in time to take them into account in the redrafting of Background Paper 1, here is the timeline we would like to follow: - August 15: Deadline for comments and suggested amendments to the three papers; - August 17 or 18: Delivery of the three papers to the Steering Committee. If you are new to this forum, please give a short description of who you are, your organization and what country you are from, and your interest in the Marrakech Process and sustainable production and consumption. You can "introduce yourself" at http://sdissues.net/CS/forums/53/ShowForum.aspx. Thanks!    Report

08-13-2007, 8:39 AM Sylvia Joined on 08-06-2007 Posts 7 Re: STOCKHOLM FOLLOW-UP: Comments on the CONTEXT PAPER Dear Friends, I find this paper very nice and very necessary. Different from the others it is readable not only for Marrakech insiders but also for newcomments, wether in the process or on the whole topic. To have such a paper will be neccessary if we do lobbying for more NGO's to join us. In this sense I recomment some changes. e.g. Let us delete the SCP term at least in the headlines. It is nothing less than sustainable consumption and production we ask for. With making it visible it becomes more difficult to sell a greening of the markets the solution. I suggested some changes in the text, either to sharpen the argument or to improve the flow of reading. Regarding to the latter I also changed the order of the paragraphes a bit. Still this was a first attempt only. It still sounds like similar ideas were brought in by different person so there are overlaps and - I assume - different types of writings. I leave this for one of the native speakers in the editorial board. Maybe the most important aspect I have added is a paragraph on the spiritual dimention; some suggestions how to look beyond the boundries of economics. Reconnection with ethics and transpersonal values We have to ask ourselves whether or not consumption is really capable of delivering improved quality of life in its fullest sense. The quality of life debates are mostly limited by its reference only to economic models, concepts and tools. What we have to integrate is the question how everyone can have a ‘good life’ including e.g. a spiritual dimension, which is different from the constantly search for a “better life” measured in economic terms. Beyond quality of life achieved through consumption the elements of civic, cultural and spiritual quality of life need serious consideration and space to develop. Civic quality of life – family, community and society – may be impaired if social activity are primarily geared around shopping and consumption. Religious and spiritual life is, according to all major traditions, about the transpersonal, altruistic, and self-regulating and thus opposite to the economic assumption of self-serving consumerism. I am looking forward to find out how you deal with this. Please find my detailed comments in the paper attached.    Report

08-13-2007, 8:42 AM Sylvia Joined on 08-06-2007 Posts 7 Re: STOCKHOLM FOLLOW-UP: Comments on the CONTEXT PAPER attatched the plain version of the commented paper    Report

08-14-2007, 2:08 AM Emmanuel_Prinet_OEI Joined on 08-14-2007 Posts 3 Re: STOCKHOLM FOLLOW-UP: Comments on the CONTEXT PAPER Hi Sylvia, Thank you very much for taking the time to read the context paper and making suggestions. The attachment with your corrections has not be uploaded online yet due to continuing technical issues, but they should be resolved fqirly soon. I really appreciate your comments on the need for ethics and adding something about the spiritual dimension. Indeed, quality of life needs needs to be understood in a much broader context than reducing it to an economic dimension (ie. increasing material consumption; GDP growth; etc.). Studies show, in fact, that quality of life increases with income to a certain extent (to about $8 000 international dollars), and then levels off, and in fact may begin to decline as income keeps increasing. As individuals seek meaning to their life, they may discover that consumption, although a necessity, is not the end-all and be-all of their existence, and that putting aside time to enjoy the company of friends and family, pursuing low-consumption activities, giving back to their community, etc., can bring much joy and fulfillment. All the best, Emmanuel Prinet, One Earth Initiative www.OneEarthWeb.org    Report

08-14-2007, 2:23 AM Emmanuel_Prinet_OEI Joined on 08-14-2007 Posts 3 Re: STOCKHOLM FOLLOW-UP: Comments on the CONTEXT PAPER I am posting the following on behalf of Bill Rees, inventor of the Ecological Footprint. He read through the context paper and made a number of small changes to tighten the language, and also suggested a fourth point regarding population growth in the "Summary of key points" section of the context paper (page 1). I have attempted to attach the revisions of the context paper to this message, but because the online forum does not seem to be allowing attachments, I will paste, below, Bill's additional text, for everyone to see. It reads: 4. It will not suffice to be concerned only with the sustainability of production and consumption systems. Human population growth remains the other major driver of global ecological change and is capable of overwhelming gains made toward sustainable production and consumption. Efforts to reduce energy and material consumption must be accompanied by efforts to reduce both population growth and the total human population. [end of quote] Current population growth is indeed a driving factor of unsustainable production and consumption patterns, and needs to be addressed. It is part of the IPAT equation: environmental impact (I) = population (P) x affluence (A) x technology (T) When dealing with SCP, we often hear of technology and of affluence, but not so much of population, so I think it is important to mention it explicitly in the context paper. Any comments? Emmanuel.    Report

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