Sustainable development and San Miguel
By Ben-Zion Ptashnik November 7, 2008 San Miguel de Allende
Conference
San Miguel Sustentable
Sun–Sat, Nov 9–15
Instituto Allende, Hotel Real de Minas,
Bellas Artes, Jardín esplanade
The World Commission on Environment and Development popularized the term sustainable development in 1987. It refers to a systematic approach to achieving human development in a way that sustains planetary resources, based on the recognition that human consumption is occurring at a rate that is beyond Earth’s capacity to support it.
Population growth, pressures spawned by overdevelopment and an unequal distribution of wealth are major driving forces that are altering the planet in ways that threaten the long-term health of humans and other species. Global climate change and declining water and energy resources have recently heightened the need to find methods of sustaining healthy economies while preserving natural resources and reducing carbon emissions. These formulas must be developed and encouraged at the international, national and local levels.
Sustainable development also requires lifestyle changes if we are to live within the environment’s carrying capacity. Achieving sustainability requires holistic responses to global issues such as urbanization and energy overconsumption, and better measures of ecological and social sustainability. Sustainability can be achieved by rethinking the way we build our houses and how we manage our water and energy. We also must examine how we grow food, buy and consume products, and dispose of garbage.
We do not have to reinvent the wheel; formulas for such retooling have been around for decades. We need to duplicate or modify systems and models that are working elsewhere and apply technologies that are appropriate to the local culture and relevant to the economic level of the local population. We need only gather the information and begin the process of education in the social and political realms.
For example, we are keenly aware that our local aquifer is being depleted rapidly. We must start recycling grey water, employing efficient drip irrigation and reducing the amount of water used in flushing and showering through technologically advanced toilets and shower heads. All these measures, and others, can be part of mandates and regulatory regimens for new home construction or renovations.
Rising fuel prices, global warming and diminishing oil reserves require us to look at our energy consumption. We must use energy-efficient lighting and appliances and find cleaner methods to produce electricity such as wind, sunlight and water. At the national level this could mean promoting wind farms instead of coal plants. At the local level, because we live in a sun-drenched climate, it makes sense to use solar energy to produce electricity, heat water and warm our houses.
Sustainable economic development also means we can focus on creating opportunities for entrepreneurship in the production and marketing of ecological products and technologies. For example, a local artisan who previously manufactured lanterns has developed a design for a copper radiator that circulates solar-heated water. These solar radiators have a cleverly designed cover that replicates the punched-tin lantern designs popular in San Miguel. Look for displays of the radiators along with a range of other eco-friendly devices and systems in the esplanade in front of the Parroquia during the San Miguel Sustentable expo, November 9–15.
The solar radiator and other solar systems that produce electricity prevent tons of carbon emissions and also are safer than conventional gas heaters. The energy-cost reduction is an economic incentive for retired citizens with fixed incomes who can view a solar system as a hedge against escalating electric rates and gas prices.
Meanwhile, jobs are being created in the manufacturing and installation of green technologies. The essence of sustainable economic development is promoting systems and products that have a net benefit to society, the environment and the local economy.
San Miguel Sustentable conferences, workshops, expo and eco-fair start November 9, the beginning of a process of educating ourselves and the folks who hold the keys to the future development of our town. Water conservation, renewable energy, recycling, organic agriculture and sustainable economic development are the main topics.
Look for the locations, schedules and descriptions of conferences, speakers and workshops in Atención or on the web at
www.sanmiguelsustentable.com.
Ben-Zion Ptashnik is a lifelong environmentalist and former state senator from Vermont.
Conference Schedule/Programa de la Conferencía
Monday/Lunes, Nov 10
Environmental Education/Educación Ambiental
Hotel Real de Minas
Bio-Architecture. Adobe y Construcción en Tierra. Brasil, Instituto Taiba
Tuesday/Martes, Nov 11
Environmental Education/Educación Ambiental
Hotel Real de Minas
Jsun Mills Workshop: Design of Photovoltaic Systems
Renewable Energy and Social Technologies
Bio-Architecture. Pasto, Basòn y Cascaje. Brasil, Instituto Taiba
Wednesday/Miércoles, Nov 12
Environmental Education/Educación Ambiental
Hotel Real de Minas
Applications of Photovoltaic Systems
Bio-Architecture. Bambú. Brasil, Instituto Taiba
Thursday/Jueves, Nov 13
Workshops for Children/Talleres para Niños—FAI/PEASMA
Composting and Recycling
Bellas Artes
Hernández Macías 75
Lecture/Platica—Global Warming, Luz Marís Trujillo
Auditorio Miguel Malo
Bellas Artes
Hernández Macías 75
Friday, Nov 14
Trends in Tourism
Teatro Ángela Peralta
Mesones 82, Free
10:30–11am Registration
11am–noon Trends in Tourism in Historical Cities and Sustainability. María Velazco, España, Universidad
Compultense
Noon–1pm Eco-Tourism. Costa Rica, Ana Baez
Environment, Water, Alternative Energy and Economic Development in San Miguel de Allende and the Region
Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20
100 pesos for both days, simultaneous translation to English
10:30–11am Registration
11am–noon Climate Change. Luis Miguel Galindo, México UNAM
Noon–1pm Public Policy, Environment and the Municipio. Francisco Fernández R.
1:30–2:30pm Alternative Technology and Energy Conservation. Jorge M. Huacuz, Jaime Agredano
Inspirational Encounter for the Design and Development of Products
Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20
200 pesos (lunch included), simultaneous translation to Spanish
8:30–9am Registration
9–9:45am Opening Ceremony
10–11am Three Generations of Design in Mexico. Carmen Cordero Lascuraín
11am–noon Transforming Economic Activity. Ciudad del Diseño
12:30–2pm Anthropology and Sustainable Design in the Export
Market. Italy, Gabrielle Coen.
2–3:30pm Lunch
3:30–4:30pm Workshop on Packing and Shipping–FEDEX
8:00 pm Green Fashion
Workshops for Children/Talleres para Niños—FAI/PEASMA
Composting and Recycling
Bellas Artes
Hernández Macías 75
Lecture/Platica—Global Warming, Luz María Trujillo
Bellas Artes
Hernández Macías 75
Saturday/Sábado, Nov 15
Trends in Tourism
Teatro Ángela Peralta
Mesones 82, Free
10:30–11am Registration
11am–noon Trends. Alejandro Watson
Noon–1pm Trends, Realities and Strategies of Quality and Competitiveness in the Hotel and Restaurant Industries. Antonio Montesinos.
Environment, Water, Alternative Energy and Economic Development in San Miguel de Allende and the Region
Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20
100 pesos for both days, simultaneous translation to English
10:30–11am Water Resource in San Miguel de Allende. Raúl Pineda
11am–noon Water and Economic Development in San Miguel de Allende. Marcos Adriana Ortega
12:30–1:30pm Bio-architecture. Brasil, Grupo Taibá.
Inspirational Encounters for the Design and Development of Products
Instituto Allende, Ancha de San Antonio 20
100 pesos, simultaneous translation to Spanish
10–11am Sustainable Design in Developing Countries. USA, Stephen Burks
11:30am–12:30pm The Case of Mata Ortiz: Regional Identity in Ceramic Products for Export. César Dominguez
12:30–2pm Panel: Methodology for the Development of New Products. Italy, Grabrielle Coen
8:00 pm Green Fashion
Workshops for Children/Talleres para Niños—FAI/PEASMA
Composting and Recycling
Bellas Artes
Hernández Macías 75
HUMAN 2015 works to meet UN goals
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Inspired by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set forth by the United Nations, with the goal of halving extreme poverty in the world by 2015, an initiative called HUMAN 2015 was established in Oslo, Norway, in 2007. |
The eight MDGs form a blueprint agreement by the world’s countries and leading development institutions.
HUMAN 2015 represents a worldwide network of engaged people who are willing to work creatively and patiently to help others out of poverty and prevent ecocide. It is a nonprofit, apolitical organization.
A pilot project, “BOBO,” has been launched by HUMAN 2015 to work toward developing the world’s first completely self-contained and environmentally friendly city using renewable and sustainable energy technologies. In addition, the city will have well-developed education and health systems and vaccination programs.
Following a meeting on September 18, with the government of Norway, HUMAN 2015 has contracted with the government of the Republic of Sudan, Africa, to construct such a city with oversight and support from the Norwegian government.
To fund the construction of this and future eco-cities, HUMAN 2015 will organize a series of world humanitarian concerts, called the End Poverty World Tour campaign. All proceeds from the concerts will go toward funding BOBO projects worldwide. The first concert was held in Kongsvinger, Norway in March 2008, and the second concert might be held in Mexico, in Lagos de Moreno, where HUMAN 2015 has an office. The concert series is planned to wrap up in New York City in 2015.
With the goal of disseminating information and gaining support for the BOBO project, HUMAN 2015 has begun approaching national and local governments in countries that would most benefit from the construction of eco-friendly cities, including Mexico. HUMAN 2015 believes that aside from the work that a major construction project would create, BOBO settlements also would draw world attention, increase tourism and provide additional employment in the long term.
For more information about HUMAN 2015 and the BOBO project, see www.human2015.com.
The Eight Millenium Development Goals
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a Global Partnership for Development
The MDGs:
synthesize, in a single package, many of the most important commitments made separately at the international conferences and summits of the nineties;
recognize explicitly the interdependence between growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development;
acknowledge that development rests on the foundations of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and peace and security;
are based on time-bound and measurable targets accompanied by indicators for monitoring progress; and
bring together, in the eighth goal, the responsibilities of developing countries with those of developed countries, founded on a global partnership endorsed at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002, and again at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in August 2002.
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