An intriguing new area of intellectual exploration is opening up at the intersection of Sustainable Development and Time. This August, for example, an eminent group of thinkers will gather to discuss the 'temporal dynamics of unsustainability' at their annual meeting. But the situation is complicated by the fact that life times or cycles vary enormously depending on whether you are looking at animals, plants, products, human beings, ecosystems, soils or minerals. As a busy individual, you may choose to 'slow down' your lifestyle for purely personal or health reasons like stress reduction or improved family time. A recent report called Sustainable Germany advocates shorter work weeks and reduced resource consumption as a central strategy for a more secure social, ecological and economic future.
Cultural traditions can help weave more sustainable lifestyles into the fabric of civilizations.
The traditional Native American decision-making time horizon of 'seven generations' or about 250 years, for example, establishes a strong link between decisions made today and their impacts on future generations. Slow Food was launched in Italy when McDonald's brought fast food to Rome. Alfred A. Knopf, 1996. 346p.