Sustainability

"What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another."

- Mahatma Gandhi

A Message Across Time
A view from Space to the Crew of Spaceship Earth

In early February 1969 Apollo 14 astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell during his return trip from visiting the moon, experienced an epiphany of universal interconnectedness so profound it compelled him to investigate the nature of consciousness and ultimately to create an organization called the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) to study it. IONS was created to be a research organization to study inner space exploration similar to what NASA was to outer space exploration.

Below is a recording made many years ago at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, where Dr. Mitchell reaches us through time with the greeting, "Good evening, fellow Earth people". Addressing us as fellow crew members of Spaceship Earth, he encourages us to take an urgent, new collective perspective on our planet, our Universe and our relationship to them.

Edgar’s vision is still timely and is needed as urgently as ever. Across domains—such as science, medicine, education, and culture—people are seeking a more complete understanding of reality, one that includes consciousness, inner knowing, and our innate interconnectedness to transcend our global challenges. Edgar believed that expanding our understanding of consciousness would help catalyze a “Global Mind Change” a new perspective of how humanity views the earth, our home, and how it can live in harmony with it.

Listen to Mitchell's messsage - click here:

00:00 / 27:31

Sustainability Defined

On a planet like earth with vast but finite non-renewable resources, with economic models that are based on the premise of continual growth and without constraints on consumption of precious resources, indefinite continuous growth is unsustainable. Sooner or later, in any closed system, the switch must occur to a more sustainable approach if future generations are to have any chance at best for a standard of living taken for granted by earlier generations and at worst, for the very survival of life itself.

Sustainability is the concept of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves a balanced integration of three interconnected pillars: environmental health, social equity, and economic vitality. This means using resources wisely and conservatively to support ecological, human, and economic well-being over the long term.

More specifically, sustainability aims to create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support current and future generations. It addresses the finite nature of resources and promotes practices that do not deplete or degrade natural systems, while also ensuring social justice and economic development.

Sustainability is a comprehensive approach that requires a systems perspective, recognizing the complexity and interdependence of environmental, social, and economic factors to create thriving, resilient communities now and in the future.

There are three major areas that are affecting sustainability in the modern era

Earth’s large human population
21st century technologies and vulnerabilities
Archaic beliefs and outdated understandings of political, economic, and/or cultural traditions

Each of these is discussed in more detail in the sections below.

Issues facing Humanity in the 21st Century

1. Earth's Large Human Population

Stewards of the Earth

At the end of World War II (circa 1945), the world population was approximately 2.5 billion people. Today, in the year 2025, that same population is estimated to be around 8.2 billion. In the span one life time (for someone living in a developed country) the population of the world has increased by 5.7 billion people (a factor of 3.3). As the chart shows this growth is exponential. This astounding increase in terms of the actual number of people now on the planet is unprecedented in the entire history of earth and is clearly unsustainable.

Around 44% of today’s world population (3.5 billion people) are considered poor or extremely poor. Most live in third world countries, and they are attempting to survive on less than $6.85 per day; those considered living in extreme poverty (approximately 700 million of the 3.5 billion poor souls) survive on less than $2.15 per day. In contrast, the majority of people living in developed countries around the world have such a high standard of living that it would be considered pure fantasy if the modern lifestyle was described to the royalty and elites of society of just a few hundred years ago.

To improve their living conditions, people in poor countries or impoverished situations have three choices: They can either stay where they are and try to eke out a subsistence living, seek to overthrow the established institutions of power to share or take resources away from the wealthy and privileged few, or, if they can, try to migrate to a more affluent country or geographical area in the hopes of obtaining a piece of the wealth pie and a better life.

Meanwhile in western countries, consumerism and accumulating material possessions are the word of the day. As a side effect of consumerism, waste, pollution, environmental degradation, famine, wars, and pestilence are often the result because of the quest for power and control over the masses. All the while civilization continues to literally burn through its nonrenewable (and even renewable) resources. In addition, because of recent advances in science and technology over the last 150 years, many of the things that have a profound impact on the natural environment are now changing at such a rapid pace that most of the creatures living in the natural world do not have time to adapt.

How much longer can the demands on the world’s nonrenewable resources continue? Already, the world is experiencing shortages and the corresponding price increases that always occur when a precious resource is in short supply. Sand for cement, copper, iron, silver, uranium, fertilizer for agriculture, petroleum, fresh water and several others in many areas are all expected to be depleted or severely reduced some time in this century. Oh, yes, I don’t recall that mother nature has created any new lands suitable for agriculture, or new mineral resources lately, have you? Well, perhaps a small volcanic island somewhere in the remote Pacific ocean.

Those with the wealth (or power) to afford it have begun to hoard these precious resources. Billionaires and foreign investors are now buying up farmland, mineral and water rights in several areas of the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. In addition, it is estimated that the richest 1% of the global population owns nearly half of the world’s wealth and that disparity is only increasing. What will be left for future generations? Do we have any moral obligation to save anything for them?

Continuing growth and accelerated demand for resources to support earth’s ever increasing population will only continue unless massive change occurs. Our current economic systems depend on growth as businesses and their competition must continually expand to stay competitive and maintain market share. Continuous growth in a closed system is unsustainable. Sooner or later all the easily obtainable resources will be depleted and those remaining will be much more difficult (and expensive) to recover, process and use. And that is expected to happen within a few decades or even within a few years in some instances.

And, yes, the earth is a closed system. No material, nothing, gets into or out of the planet except for the occasional meteor or asteroid (which don’t even begin to make a dent in the earth’s total stores of such materials). Only the sun’s energy can enter earth’s closed system and that too will end in the distant future when the sun has burned through its fuel supply.

Population Conundrum

The big question: Will this coming population decline be a “too little to late” scenario regarding overall growth and the impact on the earth’s resources and the continued degradation of its environment.

Although the overall human population of the planet will continue to increase throughout most of the rest of this century, there is a counter trend emerging that is also threatening the sustainability of our civilization. It is known as the “demographic time-bomb”. This counter trend is already occurring in many developed countries around the globe. In these countries, there has already been a significant drop in population.

The causes for the population decline for these countries are many and varied. They include declining fertility rates, increased access for women to higher education and training, new skilled job opportunities and economic pressures because of the high costs of raising children. As the developing world raises their standards of living, it is likely that a similar fate of population decline will occur in those countries as well. (Refer to the chart showing the various estimates as to when this is likely to occur.)

The countries that are currently already experiencing population declines include Japan, Germany, Italy, Spain, China, Russia and South Korea. Fertility rates are very low and these populations are aging rapidly. Fortunately, countries like the United Statas, Canada and Australia are experiencing less demographic pressure due to relatively higher fertility rates and immigration but face a similar fate for the longer term, probably by the end of this century.

As a country’s population ages out, there will be demands to increase the pool of workers to sustain its aging population and to keep the country’s economy viable. If this is not addressed in a meaningful way, the potential for societal collapse is a real possibility. If this is managed by reducing the barriers for immigration of migrants from poorer countries, will they have the skills and the education to fill in for the slacking labor pool?

With enough migration and declining native populations, there is also the potential for pushback as any large influx of population will bring with them their own cultures and, perhaps, even the values and languages of their home countries. Cultural clashes and civil unrest are already being played out in some of the developed countries that have already experienced a large influx of migrants.

Increasing fertility may be an option in some cultures but, for others, increasing access to education, skilled job opportunities and economic pressures associated with the high cost of living in raising children will present tough challenges to overcome even with government incentives to increase those fertility rates.

The Population Solution

Given the two counter trends outlined above, what are the appropriate population limits to a sustainable human civilization for the planet for the long term? Whatever it is, our economic systems and our institutions will have to change from being growth oriented to one that focuses on long term sustainability instead. A population that is either too high or too low will not lead to a sustainable civilization for our planet. We are facing the Goldilocks conundrum: What is the population for the planet that is just right – not too small and not to large?

The only solution is for humanity to mimic what nature does. We must balance the population to the appropriate sustainable levels while also reducing consumption, and shifting to a "reuse and recycle everything" mentality, and by letting nothing go to waste. Continually increasing population and planned obsolescence to sustain growth is no longer a viable option for the long term. We must do all this and more to keep our voracious demand for resources (and population) in check. It seems like a very tall order and very challenging in the world's current political environment, but one that we must find a way to achieve if humanity is to continue to survive let alone thrive on planet earth.

To check out the other pages in this section, refer to the other submenu items under "Ecosystems" at the top of the page.

2. 21st Century Technologies and Vulnerabilities

The use of technology has always been a double-edged sword in the history of mankind. It can be used for the benefit of humanity or to its detriment. With the advent of extremely powerful modern technologies like bio-engineering, artificial intelligence or nuclear energy, they each offer enormous benefits to humanity. An unfortunate side effect of these technologies is that their development and/or use can be a significant source of pollution, environmental degredation or resource depletion. Many technologies have become so powerful that they also can destroy all of civilization almost over night if they are used for nefarious purposes or fall into the wrong hands as weapons of mass destruction. Finally, critical infrastructure like agriculture, transportation, energy, water, or sanitation are all subject to cybersecurity threats that can send civilization back to living in the preindustrial era if carried out by rogue individuals or nation-states.

Other vulnerabilities and risks of the use of modern technologies within society include:

Privacy and Surveillance Risks

Advanced surveillance technologies, including facial recognition and data collection and ubiquitous instantaneous data access , threaten privacy and human rights by enabling control and manipulation rather than empowerment. This raises concerns about authoritarian misuse and erosion of democratic freedoms.

Ethical and Social Inequalities

Algorithmic biases and opaque AI systems often discriminate against minorities and vulnerable groups in critical areas like religious views, healthcare, justice, and social services. This exacerbates social exclusion and inequality, with limited accountability or transparency in these technologies.

Cognitive and Psychological Impacts

Constant digital connectivity and information overload impair cognitive functions such as analytical thinking, memory, and focus. The pervasive use of digital platforms contributes to anxiety, depression, social isolation, and a loss of independent agency due to manipulation and addictive design features.

Misinformation and Loss of Trust

The proliferation of deepfakes, disinformation, artificial intelligence and algorithms that promote biased information undermines public knowledge, fuels polarization, and erodes trust in institutions. This "siege on reality" threatens informed decision-making and democratic discourse.

Economic and Employment Disruptions

Increasing automation, robotics and AI sophistication risk large-scale job displacement, leading to poverty, diminished human dignity, and social strife, particularly if economic and political incentives prioritize profit and control over human well-being.

Security Threats

The rise of cybercrime, cyberwarfare, autonomous weapons, and misuse of emerging technologies like 3D printing for weapons or bioengineering diseases as weapons pose new forms of physical and digital threats to human security.

Digital Divide and Access Issues

Vulnerable populations often face limited internet access and digital literacy, which restricts their ability to benefit from technology and exposes them to discrimination and exclusion in increasingly digitized social and welfare services.

3. Archaic Beliefs or Outdated Understandings in Political, Economic, and/or Cultural Traditions

Archaic beliefs or outdated understandings from political, economic, cultural, and religious traditions are still prevelant throughout society and can both strengthen and weaken it thereby affecting long term sustainability. Their influence depends largely on how they are interpreted, enforced, or reformed. When used to justify exclusion or suppress dissent, they increase societal vulnerability; when adapted to promote inclusion and agency, they can bolster resilience. These archaic beliefs can both shape and challenge modern society’s resilience and vulnerability.

Political and Religious Traditions

Ancient political and religious traditions often fused authority, with rulers claiming divine right or embodying spiritual leadership. This legacy can persist in modern societies where leaders or institutions justify power through tradition or religious doctrine, sometimes reinforcing rigid hierarchies and limiting accountability.
In the ancient world, religion and politics were inseparable, shaping laws and social norms. Modern societies that retain or revive such traditions may struggle to separate religious law from civil law, potentially marginalizing minority groups and increasing social tensions.
Archaic beliefs can act as conservative forces, legitimize the status quo and discourage social reform.

Economic and Cultural Traditions

Societies with high inequality often see a resurgence of religious or traditional beliefs as a coping mechanism for the poor and marginalized. This can lead to cycles where traditional or religious institutions resist progressive economic policies, potentially perpetuating inequality.
Archaic traditions can foster social cohesion and identity, but they can also exclude or oppress those who do not conform. Repression of religious or cultural agency can lead to cycles of persecution and societal instability, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups.
The current global economic model is one which requires continuous growth for innovation and to keep up with the competition. Because of that, it favors planned obsolence as the underlying model fueling this growth. Unfortunately in a closed system like the Earth, this model is unsustainable as the Earth's non-renewable resources are finite and several are even projected to become increasingly scarce or even be exhausted within this century.

Modern Vulnerabilities

When archaic beliefs are enforced or manipulated by authorities, they can suppress dissent, limit freedoms, and increase the risk of conflict. For example, the repression of religious minorities can destabilize societies and undermine integration.
Archaic beliefs may hinder the adoption of new technologies, scientific understanding, or inclusive governance, making societies less adaptable to global challenges.
On the positive side, when religious or cultural agency is protected, it can empower marginalized groups and foster social integration. However, when these traditions are used to justify exclusion or oppression, they become sources of vulnerability.

The Path to Wholeness Goes Through Sustainability

Watch Dr. Edgar Mitchell Apollo 14 astronaut talk about his perceptions and intrepretations of the view of earth from space and his message on sustainability.

"The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." - Chief Seattle

When all the trees have been cut down,
When all the animals have been hunted,
When all the waters are polluted,
When all the air is unsafe to breathe,
Only then will you discover that you cannot eat, drink, or breathe money

Taken from Cree prophecy

Exponential Growth Explained

Unconstrained growth in in finite (closed) system like the Earth is unsustainable. It is also dangerous because of the way it grows exponentially by feeding upon itself. It can sneak up without consciousness awareness may not leave adequate time to react to the changes it creates.

To view a video on the implications of exponential growth and its implications for our planet, please watch the YouTube video below.

A copy of the presentation used in the "Exponential Growth Explained" video can be downloaded by clicking on the "Resources" menu item above, and then selecting "Presentations"