263
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Kerényi, R. W. McIntosh, Sustainable Development in Changing Complex Earth Systems,
Sustainable Development Goals Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21645-0_7
Conclusions: Towards
an Environmental Friendly
Humane Society
The future changes and alterations of the global
society system as a complex chaotic system cannot be predicted accurately at the current level of
science.
This is, however, the only system on Earth, the
major elements of which (people and groups of
people) are capable of deliberate action controlling in this way the operation of the whole system. Practically, however, these elements aim to
purposeful control of subsystems (e.g. nationstates) or only certain processes (e.g. global trade)
therefore the operation of the system as a whole
cannot be determined. In order to make society
develop sustainably interactions with natural systems and their consequences have to be known.
The current situation can be characterised as
much important knowledge has been exposed by
scientists studying environmental issues and
social processes required for the implementation
of sustainable development but national, religious and tribal communities of the mosaic
divided society have not recognised their common interests so far or if they have they are
unable to act together (in one direction).
Apparently strengthening negative (stabilising)
feedbacks would be necessary in the operation of
the global society system and also for creating
missing feedbacks, i.e. an institution system that
helps for common human interests to succeed.
Fairer distribution of material goods should be
emphasised (proportional to real performance)
together with environmentally sound utilisation of
natural resources in a way not to exceed the tolerance of ecological systems. Formation of an
incentive system to bring about liveable and
healthy urban environment all over the world
would be necessary. Reducing inequalities both
within countries (among people) and among countries would also be necessary. These fundamental
goals are also included in the document entitled
“Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for
sustainable development” ratified by UN member
states in 2015. This document includes the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
SDGs are scientifically founded in general and
point towards implementing the sustainable development of the society. The implementation of several goals, however, is difficult by the set deadline
(e.g. job for all, free primary and secondary education for all, gender equality in all countries, affordable and sustainable energy supply for all). This
alone is not a major problem as small steps towards
the right direction bring us closer to the implementation of the goals.
There are processes in the global society that
seem to be successful but their long-term effects
raise questions. The increase of global connectivity is a process like that. As we have seen certain
scientists see this as a guarantee for progress in
social partnerships and peaceful global society
forming along common interests. They ignore the
problems caused by expanding supply chains,
transport and extreme intensification of human
mobility in the natural environment. Or they deal
7
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
A. Kerényi, R. W. McIntosh, Sustainable Development in Changing Complex Earth Systems,
Sustainable Development Goals Series, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21645-0_7
Conclusions: Towards
an Environmental Friendly
Humane Society
The future changes and alterations of the global
society system as a complex chaotic system cannot be predicted accurately at the current level of
science.
This is, however, the only system on Earth, the
major elements of which (people and groups of
people) are capable of deliberate action controlling in this way the operation of the whole system. Practically, however, these elements aim to
purposeful control of subsystems (e.g. nationstates) or only certain processes (e.g. global trade)
therefore the operation of the system as a whole
cannot be determined. In order to make society
develop sustainably interactions with natural systems and their consequences have to be known.
The current situation can be characterised as
much important knowledge has been exposed by
scientists studying environmental issues and
social processes required for the implementation
of sustainable development but national, religious and tribal communities of the mosaic
divided society have not recognised their common interests so far or if they have they are
unable to act together (in one direction).
Apparently strengthening negative (stabilising)
feedbacks would be necessary in the operation of
the global society system and also for creating
missing feedbacks, i.e. an institution system that
helps for common human interests to succeed.
Fairer distribution of material goods should be
emphasised (proportional to real performance)
together with environmentally sound utilisation of
natural resources in a way not to exceed the tolerance of ecological systems. Formation of an
incentive system to bring about liveable and
healthy urban environment all over the world
would be necessary. Reducing inequalities both
within countries (among people) and among countries would also be necessary. These fundamental
goals are also included in the document entitled
“Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for
sustainable development” ratified by UN member
states in 2015. This document includes the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.
SDGs are scientifically founded in general and
point towards implementing the sustainable development of the society. The implementation of several goals, however, is difficult by the set deadline
(e.g. job for all, free primary and secondary education for all, gender equality in all countries, affordable and sustainable energy supply for all). This
alone is not a major problem as small steps towards
the right direction bring us closer to the implementation of the goals.
There are processes in the global society that
seem to be successful but their long-term effects
raise questions. The increase of global connectivity is a process like that. As we have seen certain
scientists see this as a guarantee for progress in
social partnerships and peaceful global society
forming along common interests. They ignore the
problems caused by expanding supply chains,
transport and extreme intensification of human
mobility in the natural environment. Or they deal
7