Sustainability in the Developing World Perspective
Sustainability Across
Cultures
How does the rest of
the world practice sustainability? Or do they practice it at all?
We often worry about
the impact that we have on the environment and strategize ways that we can save
the planet, but are we pondering these questions beyond the scope of our
communities? We rarely think of what the rest of the world is doing—beyond the
border of the state or country we live in. In my experience working and living
in different countries in South America, I often come across different cultural
particularities and absorb the richness of it all. Recently, while working in
Lima, Peru for a renewable energy project development company, I started
pondering what the extent of sustainability was beyond the participation of our
clients outside of this industry, throughout the rest of the developing world.
Developing countries such
as Peru for example, is experiencing an economic boom although it is at a stage
where society has yet to adopt environmental consciousness. Being cognitive about our actions is the most
crucial aspect of being green, not only on a personal level but as a society. I
can admit that the topic of sustainability is often a topic that is mainly
discussed in the developed world, whilst in the developing world it goes often
unmentioned. It is perhaps a cultural difference, or a lack of leadership by national
leaders—or maybe a combination of both. There is a lack of initiative by public
figures to proliferate or promote sustainable practices; therefore it is
imperative that environmental awareness start as a grass roots movement—in
one’s own home. Philanthropy work in the developing world is often delegated to
the preservation of wildlife and conservation of protected lands but hardly
found in the development of “green” programs in places that need it most.
In all, I have taken
the initiative to raise awareness in my Peruvian household by putting together
a compost bin in our yard. Perhaps the neighbors will soon too.
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