Sustainable Societies
Culture
People often think of culture as the language, folk customs, and arts of a quite defined group. As used here, culture means the totality of transmitted behaviors and beliefs characteristic of social, ethnic, or regional groups.
Thousands of cultural groups exist within and across the borders of the approximately 200 countries of the world. Ethnic or cultural identity often transcends geography and manifests itself in a perspective bias that holds the traits of the home culture to be superior to others. If held in check, this can be a healthy source of cultural identity and pride. If not, it can create dangerous divisions and fuel ethnic violence that can spiral out of control.
The one goal most cultures share is the desire to preserve their separate identities, and to maintain or realize their geographic claims. Disproportionate division of resources, persistent social and economic inequality, and gaps in accountability between developed and developing nations often exacerbate cultural tensions. Meanwhile, population increases are bringing different cultural groups into closer proximity as they compete for diminishing natural resources. This equation of increased identity and decreased resources has resulted in a widening range and scope of potential cultural and ethnic conflicts around the world.
Preventing these conflicts from becoming tragic distractions from more important issues will require the refinement of effective mechanisms of regional engagement and collective decision-making codified by international agreement. In order to slow, stabilize, and reverse the accelerating challenges of population growth, environmental degradation and climate change, substantial philosophical and behavioral changes will be needed from all quarters. These changes will require the broad-based participation of all our national and cultural populations, governments, non-profit institutions, and businesses. A significant operational shift will be required in order to build a worldwide sustainable society that protects natural resources, develops human capital, and helps protect and preserve cultural diversity.
Advanced communications tools that can threaten to homogenize cultures can also be used to protect and promote them. The electronic preservation of languages and traditions can gain cultures important allies by making the world aware of their existence. Using advanced technologies to educate people how to maintain their cultural heritage through the protection of their physical environment, while at the same time promoting sustainable development sensitive to their histories, can help preserve many of these peoples from cultural destruction.