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Sustainable Development Series:
Similarities between Canada and US
in Environmentally Sustainable Economic Development
by Waterose
Environmentally sustainable development is defined as "meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations" (Burrows, 1994). Environmentally sustainable development in Canada and the United States (US) are alike because of shared historical, cultural and economic values. Canada and US strive to achieve environmentally sustainable economic development in a similar manner.
The similarity of Canada and the US originates in their historical development. Both countries were built simultaneously on the same values of religion in a pioneer frontier. Their religious values originate in the values held by Christianity. The Christian religion purports that humans are dominant over nature and have the divine right to control nature (White, 1967). This attitude is common to Canada and US during the pioneer period when settlers cleared land for their own needs. Both countries, based on their similar Christian values, exploited the natural resources and achieved parallel economic development.
The cultural development in Canada and US is also similar. Both countries are democratic, multi-cultural, and environmentally damaged. Canada and US are democratic self-governing countries comprised of many different original cultural backgrounds forming a new cultural identity. The primary value of the North American culture is freedom at all levels of social organisation. The North American culture evolved into a highly industrialised and materialistic society primarily engaged in gross materialistic consumerism. The by-products of the industrial processes needed to produce enough goods to satisfy the desires of the North American culture are environmental degradation. A consequence of environmental degradation is that growing public concern created non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) to publicise the hazards of non-environmentally sustainable development. NGO’s bring forward other values including the deep ecological value of nature (Drengson, 1997). The NGO movement is common to both Canada and US and exits to remedy environmental degradation with sustainable development. NGO’s in both countries are based on a common cultural identity founded in democracy, multi-culturalsim and a need for change towards environmentally sustainable practises.
In response to pressure from NGO’s, the trend to move towards sustainable economic development occurred in Canada and US. Both countries value economic growth but they recognise the need for new regulations, global participation, and a shift in social responsibility. During the 1960’s and 70’s both countries developed legislation to minimise environmental degradation (Goldfarb, 1995). In addition, Canada and US participate in global environmental conferences such as the Earth Summit 1992. Consequently, there is a trend to shift the responsibility of environmental degradation from industry to individuals. The economic choices of consumers in Canada and US will change the direction of global commitments and economic growth.
The economic value system in Canada and US are similar in that they both support continued economic growth with the responsibility of sustainable development being shifted to a broader social burden. The shift in social awareness occurred in Canadian and US simultaneously, so alike that this shift can be called the shift in North American awareness. The emergent culture is not surprising because of the similar history of Canada and US. Canada and US are evolving together to find common solutions to achieve environmentally sustainable economic development without compromising the needs of future generations.
References:
Written for Royal Roads University ES301 Sustainability Lecture Series: From Theory to RealityBurrows, Mae. 1994. "Trends in Sustainability Thinking." in Perspectives on the Environment: Creating a Sustainable Society. Compiled by Valentin Schaefer and Douglas College for the Province of B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks with Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour. Vancouver, BC. Pp. 97-122.
Drengson, Alan R. 1997. "An Ecophilosophy Approach, the Deep Ecology Movement and Diverse Ecosophies." Trumpeter 14:3 Pp. 110-111.
Earth Summit Agenda 21: The United Nations Programme of Action from Rio. 1993. United Nations Publication. New York.
Goldfarb, Theodore D. 1995. "Introduction: The Environmental Movement." in Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Environmental Issues. Sixth Edition. Edited by T.G. Goldfarb. Dushkin Publishing Co., Guilford, Cn, Pp. xii-xxi.
Rogers, Adam. 1993. The Earth Summit: A Planetary Reckoning. Global View, LA, California. 351 Pp.
White, Lynn Jr., 1967. "The Historical Roots of our Ecologic Crisis." Science. Vol. 155: No. 3767. Pp. 1203-1207.
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