Thinking globally: the role of social equity in sustainable development

As we approach the 1990s it has become clear that human activity has damaged the natural integrity of major ecosystems on every continent, seriously threatening the security of the societies that depend on these ecosystems. The call for a significant societal response to these threats is both urgent and disconcerting. People are forced to examine the presuppositions upon which they have based both their own lives and the collective activities of society, questioning their deepest values and most habitual responses. In this paper we interpret the sustainable development theme in a way that assures attention is paid to priorities. Begins by exploring the global context of equity concerns and examining the failure of conventional approaches to deal adequately with those concerns. Distills the essential characteristics of equity in sustainable development and points to the neglect of key principles in conventional interpretations of the sustainable development theme. Finally, establishes the implications of equitable sustainable development for social change in the developed nations, particularly Canada. Also focuses on promising North American models for achieving equitable sustainable development. -from Authors