Although there are many definitions for sustainability, the clearest one for me describes it as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1988)
Threats
Credit crisis – at the moment our country on the whole is in a recession so people are looking for the cheaper options in life. Sustainable purchases are therefore not as common. For example things like bio-fuel or hybrid cars at present are more expensive. This is not just the case for the purchasers, but the producers are struggling to get hold of materials and fuels as well under the current situation.
Agriculture – the increase in agriculture can have a detrimental and unsustainable impact on the natural environment. This is partially due to the increase in pesticides and fertilisers reaching the lakes and rivers leading to eutrophication. However more sustainable methods like organic foods have been introduced these are generally too expensive for most people.
Population increase – This basically refers to the more people the more consumption, resources and energy will be required. If this is not produced in a sustainable manor then it will soon be used up.
Education – Ideas of sustainability are not presently covered in much detail in the national curriculum. If this were addressed then younger generations could be more conscious of how there decisions impact on the environment and act in a more sustainable manor.
Culture – We are regarded as a throw away generation. This is a very unsustainable way to be as the earth gets polluted from our rubbish that could and should be recycled. 6.7 million Tonnes reach landfill per year. Cars are also in high demand and not necessarily essential as many areas have very good bus or train services for example which are more sustainable. However some people are reluctant just to rely on these as they like the convenience of having their own car.
Government lack action - Governments need to stop being totally concerned with loosing voters over unpopular lifestyle changes and promote new sustainable policies. Even though they may be unpopular initially over time there incentives will preserve the earth for future generations. The governments defence tends to be that sustainable development strategies take time to implement and would need to be passed on down many agendas. (pretty poor really)
There are threats to sustainability however there are steps that can be taken to tackle them. These include things like, better education, less ignorance and making better transport decisions. All these need to be addressed for us to live in a sustainable future.
Friday 27 March 2009
Tuesday 3 March 2009
Lewes 003C
My home town is Lewes, East Sussex. The area covered by my post code gives an electoral ward of Lewes Bridge and a Super Output Area is Lewes 003C. the total population in 2006 was recorded at 1,483 with 855 dwellings.
The Sustainable Communities Plan (2003) defines a sustainable community as:
A flourishing local economy; Strong leadership able to respond positively to change; Engagement and participation by local people, groups and businesses; A safe and healthy local environment with well-designed spaces; Sufficient size, scale and density and the right layout for development; Good public transport and other infrastructure; Buildings that can meet different needs over time, minimising the use of resources; Well integrated mix of decent homes of different types and tenures to support a mixed and balanced community; Good quality local public services; A diverse, vibrant and creative local culture; A sense of place; The right links with the wider regional, national and international community.
Lewes on the whole fits with this definition. The extent of this is shown as follows.
Fits definition
The transport system in Lewes is very good with a regular bus and train service. The local economy is thriving. This is encouraged by the recent introduction of our own currency (the Lewes pound) aimed to encourage people to spend in the town. The mayor has frequent discussion meetings of which all residents are able to partake in so as there feelings are heard. The local environment is very pleasant to live and is classified as being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, including the South Downs. There are good quality of local public services, e.g. post offices, 2 supermarkets, many eating establishments and a train and bus station. These transport links also make the town well connected to jobs (easy to even get to London) and education. The town itself has 5 primary schools, a secondary and a college. However Brighton is just 15mins away which has a much wider variety. This availability of education is shown by the high GCSE rates of the town. 56.8% children getting 5+ A*-C grades, the average for England being close to this at 60.4%. The area is environmentally friendly with good recycling facilities and an area called railway land where an ecological team protect and maintain the biodiversity of species. Finally, Lewes has a very creative local culture, this includes the famous November 5th (bonfire night celebrations) which have been happening here since 1605 and draw the whole community in as well as outsiders.
The main way in which Lewes doesn’t match a sustainable community is with relation to housing supply and affordability. It is very contrasting to urban areas such as the neighbouring Brighton as Lewes is recorded as having only 20-24 houses per hectare. Lewes is one area of East Sussex with the 2nd highest house pricing problem.
In conclusion Lewes area 003C fits the definition in many aspects. It is a nice place to live with total deprivation being considered very low. This can be split down into many sections, these are;
· Education 2/20
· Health – 5/20
· Employment – 7/20
· Income deprivation – 8/20
· Crime 13½/20
With the exception of crime these are all quite low. Health and education are concidered very good indeed.
Sources: Communities and Local Government; Office for National Statistics; Valuation Office Agency
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jessionid=ac1f930c30d7e14947527f424ebc91268339c3727cf0?m=0&s=1235561163626&enc=1&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssvg=false&nswid=1003
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/NeighbourhoodSummary.do?a=3& c=BN7+2BS&g=441845&i=1001x1012& j=305403&m=1&p=1&q=1&r=0& s=1236019475325&enc=1
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/143669.pdf
learning for sustainable development booklet
The Sustainable Communities Plan (2003) defines a sustainable community as:
A flourishing local economy; Strong leadership able to respond positively to change; Engagement and participation by local people, groups and businesses; A safe and healthy local environment with well-designed spaces; Sufficient size, scale and density and the right layout for development; Good public transport and other infrastructure; Buildings that can meet different needs over time, minimising the use of resources; Well integrated mix of decent homes of different types and tenures to support a mixed and balanced community; Good quality local public services; A diverse, vibrant and creative local culture; A sense of place; The right links with the wider regional, national and international community.
Lewes on the whole fits with this definition. The extent of this is shown as follows.
Fits definition
The transport system in Lewes is very good with a regular bus and train service. The local economy is thriving. This is encouraged by the recent introduction of our own currency (the Lewes pound) aimed to encourage people to spend in the town. The mayor has frequent discussion meetings of which all residents are able to partake in so as there feelings are heard. The local environment is very pleasant to live and is classified as being in an area of outstanding natural beauty, including the South Downs. There are good quality of local public services, e.g. post offices, 2 supermarkets, many eating establishments and a train and bus station. These transport links also make the town well connected to jobs (easy to even get to London) and education. The town itself has 5 primary schools, a secondary and a college. However Brighton is just 15mins away which has a much wider variety. This availability of education is shown by the high GCSE rates of the town. 56.8% children getting 5+ A*-C grades, the average for England being close to this at 60.4%. The area is environmentally friendly with good recycling facilities and an area called railway land where an ecological team protect and maintain the biodiversity of species. Finally, Lewes has a very creative local culture, this includes the famous November 5th (bonfire night celebrations) which have been happening here since 1605 and draw the whole community in as well as outsiders.
The main way in which Lewes doesn’t match a sustainable community is with relation to housing supply and affordability. It is very contrasting to urban areas such as the neighbouring Brighton as Lewes is recorded as having only 20-24 houses per hectare. Lewes is one area of East Sussex with the 2nd highest house pricing problem.
In conclusion Lewes area 003C fits the definition in many aspects. It is a nice place to live with total deprivation being considered very low. This can be split down into many sections, these are;
· Education 2/20
· Health – 5/20
· Employment – 7/20
· Income deprivation – 8/20
· Crime 13½/20
With the exception of crime these are all quite low. Health and education are concidered very good indeed.
Sources: Communities and Local Government; Office for National Statistics; Valuation Office Agency
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadHome.do;jessionid=ac1f930c30d7e14947527f424ebc91268339c3727cf0?m=0&s=1235561163626&enc=1&nsjs=true&nsck=true&nssvg=false&nswid=1003
http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/NeighbourhoodSummary.do?a=3& c=BN7+2BS&g=441845&i=1001x1012& j=305403&m=1&p=1&q=1&r=0& s=1236019475325&enc=1
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/143669.pdf
learning for sustainable development booklet
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