“Planetary management”— (a definition by Daniel Raphael).
Although the concept of “planetary management” is new to most people, it is fundamental to the development of peace, social stability and is intrinsic to the stable state of Social Sustainability (SS). This concept helps us broaden our thinking to include all aspects of living on this planet. We as individuals are the most effective planetary managers because the options, choices, decisions and our collective actions directly affect the social and material sustainability that future generations will have to suffer with or live comfortably. Appreciating that the earth, Gaia, is an interconnected system of systems helps us appreciate the awareness that planetary management is a means of understanding our individual and societal interaction in those systems.
Nancy J. Turner in her wonderful book, The Earth’s Blanket,** (p. 128-233), “The Elements of Ecocultural Renewal and Sustainable Living,” cited eight exemplary ways the Haida people of the northwest Indian tribes of British Colombia, Canada are helping to serve Earth and ourselves at the same time. Here are a few:
1. Humans in Nature. Humans must see themselves as participants in natural systems rather than being superior to and controlling Nature.
3. Elder’s Wisdom and Experience. Because wisdom does not come easily or cheaply it is the elders who must gather that wisdom-experience for living co-creatively with nature.
4. Youth and Education. That wisdom must be enculturated in the young so they can live wisely and co-creatively with nature, to preserve it and care for it for future generations.
6. Ceremonial Recognition. This is a means or regularly honoring and celebrating our intimate relationship between the natural environment and ourselves.
7. Patience and Persistence. “As Xaxl’ep elder Maggie Adolph used to advise… ‘Go slow; make no mistakes.’” This means to make the best possible choices and decisions after considering all aspects and potential pitfalls.
** [“Thanks!” to Suzanne Couch for providing this wonderful book to me.]
The “holism of planetary existence” refers to the whole planet as a system of systems that are inter-linked without exclusive existence. Peter Senge in his now famous book, The Firth Discipline, made these systems interconnections well known in 1994.a. The intentional application of management philosophies and techniques -
b. to engage the holism of human planetary existence -
c. that brings about a balanced and sustainable state of material and social existence.
Although the concept of “planetary management” is new to most people, it is fundamental to the development of peace, social stability and is intrinsic to the stable state of Social Sustainability (SS). This concept helps us broaden our thinking to include all aspects of living on this planet. We as individuals are the most effective planetary managers because the options, choices, decisions and our collective actions directly affect the social and material sustainability that future generations will have to suffer with or live comfortably. Appreciating that the earth, Gaia, is an interconnected system of systems helps us appreciate the awareness that planetary management is a means of understanding our individual and societal interaction in those systems.
Nancy J. Turner in her wonderful book, The Earth’s Blanket,** (p. 128-233), “The Elements of Ecocultural Renewal and Sustainable Living,” cited eight exemplary ways the Haida people of the northwest Indian tribes of British Colombia, Canada are helping to serve Earth and ourselves at the same time. Here are a few:
1. Humans in Nature. Humans must see themselves as participants in natural systems rather than being superior to and controlling Nature.
3. Elder’s Wisdom and Experience. Because wisdom does not come easily or cheaply it is the elders who must gather that wisdom-experience for living co-creatively with nature.
4. Youth and Education. That wisdom must be enculturated in the young so they can live wisely and co-creatively with nature, to preserve it and care for it for future generations.
6. Ceremonial Recognition. This is a means or regularly honoring and celebrating our intimate relationship between the natural environment and ourselves.
7. Patience and Persistence. “As Xaxl’ep elder Maggie Adolph used to advise… ‘Go slow; make no mistakes.’” This means to make the best possible choices and decisions after considering all aspects and potential pitfalls.
** [“Thanks!” to Suzanne Couch for providing this wonderful book to me.]