Ecological Sustainability

Preamble

There is a view that the planet is a reservoir of inexhaustible resources in which the nonhuman world has value only so far as it is useful to human beings. The legacy of this philosophy is degraded and unstable ecosystems which are increasingly diminished through loss of biodiversity, land degradation, resource depletion, increasing pollution and climatic change.  Fossil fuel use has greatly intensified these trends, making possible a ten fold human population increase and increased individual consumption with corresponding impact on the world's living fabric. 
 
Management of the earth's resources based on exploitation and mastery, is unsustainable because it undermines the ecological systems essential for life to continue and flourish. It denies future generations a world as rich and complex as the world we currently enjoy. Human activity is generating a major extinction of species in the world and is steadily destroying the earth’s biosphere.  Our consumption has now exceeded the carrying capacity of the earth.
 
The Greens (WA) are committed to creating an ecologically sustainable future.  This approach integrates social, economic and ecological issues into public policy. We can no longer quarantine these spheres from each other. In the real world, they are interconnected in dynamic and complex ways and have profound impacts on each other.
 
An integrated approach means harmonising human work and enterprise with natural systems and social justice. It means understanding the constraints of natural systems and developing ways of enriching human existence within these constraints, while recognising the impossibility of humans successfully dominating and controlling the natural world. It requires a commitment to open, participatory action at local and global levels.
 
This change ultimately affirms the intrinsic value of the nonhuman world and acknowledges interdependence and interconnectedness between people and their communities,  between people and their natural and human-made environments, and between our beliefs, values and actions.

Principles

• Our society must change from its present direction of using resources as if they were limitless, to one where we live within the capacity of the earth to support us, and one that sustains the diversity of living organisms including the importance of invertebrates.
• During times of economic, environmental and social upheaval and change we recognise that disadvantaged groups in our society are extra vulnerable.  Any remedial action towards more sustainable ways of life should always consciously consider their needs as well as the possibility of any further unintended negative impacts.
• Australia must establish strategic long-term commitment and action to address its severe land degradation, declining water quality and supply, loss of biological diversity, resource depletion, population and waste issues.
• Net greenhouse gas emissions must be dramatically reduced and new economic opportunities based on clean, green technology developed.
• Economic activity must be planned to become more energy efficient and a transition strategy must be planned for the depletion of hydrocarbon fuels.
• Closer liaisons must be developed between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians in respect to sustainable land management and ecological practices.
• Australia must develop a population policy that recognises ecological sustainability, intergenerational equity and social justice at local and international levels. The development of such a policy needs broad national debate.
• Global environmental protection and social justice must be included as part of the national interest in treaty-making processes, the allocation of foreign aid, in bilateral relations and Australian behaviour in economic conferences and trade agreements.
• Australian businesses should be required to operate their overseas operations according to Australian environmental law except where the local law provides stronger environmental protection.
• Governments must commit themselves to identify and reform local, State and Federal legislation and policy to be consistent with pursuing sustainability goals.
• All governments should transform their operations into an ecological economics framework. This would include environmental accounting systems and a Genuine Progress Indicator to supplant the Gross National Product. 
• The price of consumer goods and services should take into account the cost of maintaining ecological support systems
• Company annual reports must become audited statements describing their environmental and social impacts and benefits, as well as their financial performance, in an integrated way.
• Australia must reform government expenditure, programs, tax breaks and subsidies that contribute to environmentally damaging practices and excessive resource use and provide significant tax and other financial incentives for investments which protect the natural environment and reduces resource use, waste and pollution.
• Participatory processes promoting stewardship of the land must be the focus of strategies for environmental sustainability with significant penalties imposed on  businesses, including primary producers, that cause environmental damage or excessive risk. 
• Penalties for environmental damage must be commensurate with the potential cost of the damage and sufficient to ensure appropriate corporate and individual behaviour.
• A well-resourced, comprehensive public participation process should be established to ensure public participation in environmental decision-making. This requires access to information and education.
• A philosophy of sustainability must become the foundation of education.
• The government must initiate procurement policies for "environmentally best practice" technologies, for example, renewable energy.
• Financial assistance and advice should be provided for the research, development and uptake of environmentally friendly technologies.
• Governments should endeavour to build a society which aims for minimal net waste. Waste management policy must be integrated with consumption reduction policy. This should include legislation to make the producer responsible for the product's ultimate disposal.
• An eco-labelling scheme on the environmental aspects of consumer goods must be established.
• Genetic engineering poses significant risks to human health and the environment.  The Greens (WA) oppose patenting of life forms.   Food labels must specify if the product contains substances derived from genetically altered organisms or from animals fed genetically altered feed..
• The farming and marketing of animals should be sustainable and free from cruelty.