Sustainche during the past year carefully followed the developments in neighbouring Greece. When saying ‘developments’, Sustainche in a very neutral manner means ‘creative actions’; these might bring change in general, or – given a certain direction – genesis or decline. Of course, Sustainable Development is far more specific. The Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development (better known as the Brundtland Commission) Our Common Future in 1987 defines Sustainable Development as: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainche clearly understands that such an ethical approach of human mammals towards life implies a new quality of life for societies in large. Naturally parents care for the future possibilities of their own children. Pension systems in Europe basically are founded on what is called ‘generation contract’. However, the idea to address all walks of life which includes economical, environmental and social issues at the same time is something really new in human mammals’ history.
In consequence and for the sake of the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, this can mean that present older and established generations might be asked to reduce their needs. Evidently this is not without dispute. When it comes to pollution and subsequent health problems for citizens caused by an industrial complex there is common sense in Europe that this is not acceptable. However, the perception of the CO2 production foot print and its impact on climatic change is more complicated. “Yes, and why to take care for Polar Bear Sustainche and his friends in far away Polar Regions ?,” Sustainche needs to add.
Interesting enough the ‘Global Financial Crisis’ somehow unified the perception of humans around the world: Primarily hunting for short-term and private profits and leaving behind all well-known ethics of humanity, not caring even for tomorrow morning and yet accepting the collapse of the entire global economy is today understood as to be morally not acceptable at all. The anger on Investment Bankers during 2008 and 2009 became public opinion.
Sustainche is aware that public anger is one thing; creative actions are something different. By following the news Sustainche saw absolutely nothing happening in Germany. Sustainche only heard rumours that Mr. Josef Ackermann, CEO of the famous ‘German Bank’ wants to leave Germany; he feels public resentments against his person. Sustainche doesn’t want to disagree with Mr. Ackermann. Iceland citizens during several weeks peacefully demonstrated against their democratically elected Government which was held responsible for the total collapse of the Icelandic financial system and economy. More spontaneous and revolutionary inspired actions were taken by some French workers who kidnapped their managers. Greek youngsters by far took the most comprehensive actions: During Christmas time 2008 young Greeks not only illuminated the Athens’ Christmas tree, but at the same time and supported by applause of citizens attacked Banks and burned down parts of the town. During these days in December 2008 a 15 year old boy was shot dead by what was called ‘an over motivated policeman’.
Well, Sustain™ Sustainche for sure is among the most peaceful citizens of Planet Earth. However, he can not ignore his sympathy for the young Greeks’ feelings and the European génération précaire in large. What would he feel in such a desperate situation without any hope and future … ? How would Sustainche act in a society that is completely paralysed by a thoroughly corrupt political class and allied criminal financial system … ? Sustainche is deeply impressed by what the Athens youngsters wrote in an open letter, which in essence reads as follows: ‘We are depressed by and complain about a hypocritical society which is only hunting for money. Help us !’
‘Help us !’ used by the Greek youngsters is a phrasing that Sustainche never has read before ! This short sentence touched his big red heart ! However, nobody helped ! When the innocent student Benno Ohnesorg on 2 June 1967 was shot dead by an over motivated Berlin policeman this was the day of birth for an urban guerrilla called ‘Movement of the 2 June’ in Germany. As a consequence of the events of December 2008 in Greece a new urban guerrilla was founded and declared themselves responsible for bomb attacks on Banks, Government institutions and the killing of a policeman. Newspapers and magazines around the world highlighted the latest bomb attacks in Greece as an act of ‘terrorism’ prepared by ‘left-wing anarchists’.
There should be no doubt: Sustainche is against violence ! However, the question MUST be allowed WHO are the most dangerous TERRORISTS in these days: ‘Left-wing anarchists’ who place a bomb in front of a Bank and phone the police to evacuate the place, or Investment Bankers around the globe who without any respect, ethics and honour continue their business as usual and make millions of people unemployed ?
Sustainche has the impression that the ‘wrath account in the public bank’ is still not filled enough and he asks himself what more needs to happen … not only in Greece, but also in Macedonia … and around Europe.
Sustainche wants to finalize his today’s thoughts with the first two lines of Homer’s famous Iliad:
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρί’ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγε’ ἔθηκεν
Sing, goddess, the wrath of Achilles the son of Peleus,
the destructive rage that sent countless pains on the Achaeans.
*The Grapes of Wrath is a novel written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqaTv8cCWeg
Posted in Sustainche™ and the ‘Global Financial Crisis’, Sustainche™ on Sustainable Development
Tags: Achilles, Athens, ‘Golden Macedonia’, Brundtland Report, capitalism, climate for change, CNN, Earth, Etosha Consult International, EU, generation contract, generations, Geography, German Bank, Global Financial Crisis, Greece, heart, Homer, Invest in Macedonia, Investment Banks, John Steinbeck, Josef Ackermann, Macedonia, National Strategy for Sustainable Development in the Republic of Macedonia, new quality of life, Polar Bear, Skopje, surrounding environment, sustainable development, Sustainche, Sustains™, The Grapes of Wrath, The Matrix, the wrath of Achilles, world, youngsters