4.5: Sustainability and Diversity

Westernization is a process that encourages uniformity rather than respecting and valuing diversity. This thought pattern discourages creativity and devalues any cultures that do not value uniformity. It is apparent, during these times, that individualism and capitalistic attitudes do not foster positive relationships with people and the environment in which they live. It is important for the well being of all living and none living systems that we interact with to become selfless and compassionate towards each other and our environment for our overall survival (Omprakash Foundation).

We are currently involved in a process of transforming our system of consumption to a more sustainable, nonpolluting way of life. Van Jones would refer to this transformation or movement as "the green power shift." He believes that the social and economic crisis we are facing is a result of the system of competition and consumption in our society. We devalue diversity, compete with races, ethnicity's, and try to conform to the "western culture." While doing so, we limit the possibilities of interaction, jobs, and a more sustainable interconnectedness with all people and systems in which we live. There is not going to be just one person involved in making our world a better place to live, the hero/in is going to be us, a collective whole. We have the media technology to reach people all over the world, and we can share our ideas and accomplishments easily, which Jones strongly suggests. We have to use the technologies we have to connect with people, communicate and change our culture of consumption to foster a greener way of life by respecting diversity.

I had no idea that there were so many thousands of variations of plants, and that until now we only use just a handful to market and sell in our stores. The whole idea of "patenting" a living organism and then that organism belonging to a corporation is ludicrous! After learning about how corporations actually influence policies within our own government, it is apparent that these corporations are using life to benefit themselves by making money off of products that should not be strictly owned by a company. Altering or poisoning the food we consume is inhumane and unethical. The diversity of plants and organisms that we eat for our health should not be limited to just a select portion, but most of all they should not be "owned" by companies that would in turn say because we consumed them, that we owe them money for it.