Several Issues About Promoting Ecological Civilization …
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and plan on global environmental governance for the majority of developing countries, UN bodies and important think tanks. Therefore, we must conduct in-depth
study of the sustainable development strategy that’s advocated by the mainstream
of international community when handling the relation between environment and
development. How it relates with the China-initiated ecological civilization? How
do we coordinate them? These questions are the common concerns of people around
the world engaged in environmental protection and related sectors, and they are worth
close attention from our research institutes and publicity departments.
Following the understanding of ecological civilization mentioned earlier, I would
like to offer several points about the connotations for reference.
(1) Ecological civilization is a form of civilization featuring comprehensive and
sound development. It doesn’t reject economic development, nor does it pursue
development at the expense of environment. Rather, it aims to improve man’s
ability of adapting to, utilizing, protecting and restoring nature through new
ideas, technological progress, improvement of productive force, and fundamental changes in the way of life and production, so as to promote healthy
economic and social development on the basis of harmony between man and
nature.
(2) Ecological civilization is a sustainable form of civilization that encompasses
human sustainability and natural sustainability, the two of which are different
but inseparable with mutual effects on each other. Human sustainability is in
itself a massive undertaking that, if not handled properly, would undermine
natural sustainability. Natural sustainability, on the other hand, requires that
all human activities to utilize the environment and exploit resources must be
carried out on the premise that the environment can bear the impacts and is
recoverable, resources are renewable, and the development opportunities of
later generations are not compromised. It is a sustainable exploitation and
utilization of resources that keeps the ecosystems functioning well.
(3) Ecological civilization is a form of civilization where economic development
and human development are in unity. It insists on human-centrism, makes
sustainable human development the fundamental value, and changes people’s
values and concept of life instead of prioritizing ecology over people. “We can
live a happy life even if we don’t have much. It’s sad if we have everything but
no time to enjoy life.” Moderate material consumption, colorful cultural life,
healthy lifestyle and harmonious families and friendly neighbors—this should
be the life that modern people aspire for.
The term ecological civilization consists of two words. Ecology usually refers
to the natural ecology that has nothing to do with man for the most part of earth’s
billions of years of evolution, and it only became related with man in the past millions
of years after mankind came into being. The continuous evolution and progress of
man gave birth to “civilization,” which is a concept of the human society. Civilization
is a state away from ignorance and barbarism; in a way it is also a sign that man
is getting farther away from the natural ecology. That we have put these two words
441
and plan on global environmental governance for the majority of developing countries, UN bodies and important think tanks. Therefore, we must conduct in-depth
study of the sustainable development strategy that’s advocated by the mainstream
of international community when handling the relation between environment and
development. How it relates with the China-initiated ecological civilization? How
do we coordinate them? These questions are the common concerns of people around
the world engaged in environmental protection and related sectors, and they are worth
close attention from our research institutes and publicity departments.
Following the understanding of ecological civilization mentioned earlier, I would
like to offer several points about the connotations for reference.
(1) Ecological civilization is a form of civilization featuring comprehensive and
sound development. It doesn’t reject economic development, nor does it pursue
development at the expense of environment. Rather, it aims to improve man’s
ability of adapting to, utilizing, protecting and restoring nature through new
ideas, technological progress, improvement of productive force, and fundamental changes in the way of life and production, so as to promote healthy
economic and social development on the basis of harmony between man and
nature.
(2) Ecological civilization is a sustainable form of civilization that encompasses
human sustainability and natural sustainability, the two of which are different
but inseparable with mutual effects on each other. Human sustainability is in
itself a massive undertaking that, if not handled properly, would undermine
natural sustainability. Natural sustainability, on the other hand, requires that
all human activities to utilize the environment and exploit resources must be
carried out on the premise that the environment can bear the impacts and is
recoverable, resources are renewable, and the development opportunities of
later generations are not compromised. It is a sustainable exploitation and
utilization of resources that keeps the ecosystems functioning well.
(3) Ecological civilization is a form of civilization where economic development
and human development are in unity. It insists on human-centrism, makes
sustainable human development the fundamental value, and changes people’s
values and concept of life instead of prioritizing ecology over people. “We can
live a happy life even if we don’t have much. It’s sad if we have everything but
no time to enjoy life.” Moderate material consumption, colorful cultural life,
healthy lifestyle and harmonious families and friendly neighbors—this should
be the life that modern people aspire for.
The term ecological civilization consists of two words. Ecology usually refers
to the natural ecology that has nothing to do with man for the most part of earth’s
billions of years of evolution, and it only became related with man in the past millions
of years after mankind came into being. The continuous evolution and progress of
man gave birth to “civilization,” which is a concept of the human society. Civilization
is a state away from ignorance and barbarism; in a way it is also a sign that man
is getting farther away from the natural ecology. That we have put these two words