Future Perfect

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nvironment

legal

and

ethical

issues

ble if humanity does not take to heart, that attaining

and maintaining harmony with nature is the sine quo

non of a sustainable economy and ultimately of the

survival of humanity. “Harmony with nature” is not a

mere catchphrase: it is an imperative goal for society.

To create more amenable conditions for an ecologi-

cally sustainable future demands considerably more

thoughtful reflection, intellectual work and practical

initiatives by governments and civil society.

In determining directions for this requisite and

holistic work, it is important to acknowledge that

the physical and social sciences cannot frame all the

questions and provide all the answers in the quest

for harmony with nature. It must be understood that

Nature has both material and metaphysical dimen-

sions, as well as intrinsic and instrumental value.

Therefore, it is crucial that in both thinking and in

practice a holistic and interdisciplinary approach be

adopted. Protecting nature calls for philosophical

thinking, poetic inspiration and spiritual reflection, in

addition to scientific, economic and social considera-

tions. Deeply disturbed by ongoing destruction of the

environment, former Czech leader and author Václav

Havel wrote:

“The only option is for something to change in the

sphere of the spirit… in the… attitude of man towards

the world and his understanding of… his place in the

overall order of existence… Only a new understanding

Nations on the eve of the twenty-first century, give much attention

to the philosophical and spiritual roots of relations between human-

ity and nature.

In 2005, however, the GA decided that 2008 will be the

International Year of Planet Earth,

and, in 2009, it designated

22 April each year as International Mother Earth Day.

In 2009,

the GA also adopted a resolution on harmony with nature,

which Member States expressed concern over ‘the documented

environmental degradation and the negative impact on nature

resulting from human activity’, recalled the 1982 World Charter

for Nature, and invited all actors ‘to consider, as appropriate, the

issue of promoting life in harmony with nature’.

In preparation for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable

Development (Rio+20), the GA adopted further resolutions on

Harmony with Nature in December 2010 and December 2011.

In response to these resolutions, two extensive, thought-provoking

reports were submitted to the GA by the Secretary General and two

interactive dialogues took place, the first in April 2011, and the

second in April 2012.

The dialogues brought to light issues that have heretofore been

inadequately addressed by the world community. It is sobering to

consider our planet from the standpoint of the universe, to evoke

the billions of years it took nature to evolve, and to realize human-

kind’s present capacity to destroy it. It is critical to understand the

need for ethics in Nano research, and the wisdom of traditional

cultures in addressing today’s ecological concerns.

Clearly, effectively achieving sustainable development, with

advancement of technology and poverty eradication is hardly feasi-

Honeybees are most threatened by loss of biodiversity

Image: Barbara Sundberg Baudot