"One fateful night, King Dawala jolted awake from his beautiful sleep, his ‘knightly’ instincts tingling with the sense of impending doom. And lo and behold, the colonial troops had the palace surrounded. Cue the epic showdown: King Dawala, armed with nothing but his royal pyjamas, single-handedly takes on the entire colonial army.This is a sneak peek from the trailer of the blockbuster hit ‘Colonial Ghosts in the Palace’, brought to you by the illustrious Dawalapura Royal Film Company. The film’s premiere has hit the screens and is basking in rave reviews with a stellar rating of 8.2 from the kingdom’s ever-supportive media, rivalling the likes of Marvel blockbusters. The royal PR team has firmly dismissed any claims that the film is a rip-off of Ben Stiller’s ‘Night at the Museum’, though they do admit it borrows a bit of flair from the Shinchan comic."[Disclaimer: This story is a work of satire. Any resemblance to actual events is purely coincidental]"Environmental sustainability plays a crucial role in shaping the strength of a nation. By prioritizing environmental sustainability, nations not only protect their natural resources but also build economic resilience, social stability, and global influence, ultimately shaping their overall strength and future prosperity," Seruni went on."To avoid any misunderstanding, what I mean by Sustainable Practices refers to the commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development. Sustainable development is an approach to growth and human development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It seeks to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being. The concept was popularized by the 1987 Brundtland Report, which defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"1. This approach emphasizes the importance of preserving natural resources and biodiversity, promoting social equity, and ensuring economic stabilityNations that prioritize environmental sustainability tend to manage their natural resources more effectively. This ensures a steady supply of essential resources like clean water, fertile soil, and energy, which are vital for long-term economic growth and stability. A focus on environmental sustainability can lead to the development of green industries and technologies, fostering innovation and creating jobs. Countries that invest in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and eco-friendly infrastructure are better positioned to adapt to global economic shifts and reduce their reliance on finite resources. Environmental degradation often leads to social unrest, particularly in regions where resources are scarce or polluted. By promoting sustainability, nations can prevent conflicts over resources, improve public health, and enhance the quality of life for their citizens, leading to greater social cohesion.Nations that lead in sustainability efforts gain influence on the global stage. They can set international standards, drive global environmental policies, and form alliances with other countries that share similar values. This enhances their diplomatic power and global standing. Environmental sustainability is closely linked to national security. Climate change, for example, poses risks such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and food shortages, which can destabilize regions and trigger migration crises. By addressing environmental challenges, nations can protect their borders, infrastructure, and populations from these threats. A commitment to sustainability reflects a nation's values and ethical considerations. It can foster a sense of national pride and responsibility, encouraging citizens to work together toward a common goal. This collective effort can strengthen national identity and unity.Daniel Christian Wahl emphasizes the need for a shift from sustainability, which often focuses on maintaining the status quo, to regeneration, which aims to restore and enhance the health of ecosystems and communities. Wahl advocates for a systems-thinking approach that considers the interconnections between ecological, social, economic, and cultural aspects of life. Communities and organizations should move beyond linear, reductionist thinking and instead recognize the complex, dynamic interactions within ecosystems. Rather than simply maintaining the status quo or minimizing harm, Wahl mentions regenerative cultures to enhance the health, resilience, and vitality of both people and the planet. Regenerative cultures are communities or societies that actively restore, renew and revitalize their social and ecological systems. Regenerative cultures view the world as an interconnected system where social, economic, ecological, and cultural dimensions are deeply intertwined. They emphasize understanding and acting within this complexity, recognizing that all parts of the system influence each other. These cultures are characterized by their ability to adapt to changing conditions and challenges. They build resilience by fostering diversity, flexibility, and the capacity to learn and evolve over time.Regenerative cultures go beyond sustainability by focusing on practices that restore and regenerate natural ecosystems, communities, and economies. This includes activities like rewilding landscapes, regenerating soil health, and revitalizing local economies. While understanding global interconnectedness, regenerative cultures prioritize local and bioregional scales. They support local economies, cultures, and ecosystems, working within the natural boundaries and capacities of their environments.Regenerative cultures are deeply collaborative, involving diverse stakeholders in decision-making processes. They value participation, inclusivity, and the co-creation of solutions, recognizing that collective intelligence and shared responsibility are key to regeneration. These cultures often draw inspiration from Indigenous knowledge and practices, which are inherently regenerative. They respect and integrate Indigenous ways of knowing that emphasize harmony with nature, cyclical processes, and long-term thinking. Regenerative cultures are grounded in ethics and values that prioritize the well-being of all life, future generations, and the Earth as a whole. They challenge the extractive, exploitative mindsets of dominant industrial cultures, promoting a shift towards care, stewardship, and responsibility.Regenerative cultures celebrate the diversity of life and the creative potential of individuals and communities. They cultivate joy, creativity, and a deep connection to the natural world, seeing regeneration as a dynamic, life-affirming process. In regenerative cultures, design and innovation are aligned with natural processes and cycles. This includes approaches like biomimicry, permaculture, and cradle-to-cradle design, which seek to create systems that regenerate themselves and their environments over time. Regenerative cultures think in terms of long-term impacts, considering the consequences of actions on future generations. They embody a sense of responsibility to maintain and enhance the ecological and social foundations that support life.Regenerative cultures prioritize local solutions, enhancing the resilience of communities by encouraging local production, consumption, and decision-making. This can include supporting local agriculture, renewable energy initiatives, and decentralized governance structures.Biodiversity is a cornerstone of regenerative systems. Wahl suggests that communities and organizations should work to protect and enhance biodiversity through practices such as permaculture, agroforestry, and rewilding. These practices not only restore ecological balance but also provide multiple ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration and soil health. Wahl stresses the importance of shifting mindsets from exploitation and control of nature to one of stewardship and partnership. This involves rethinking cultural narratives and values to prioritize the well-being of the planet and future generations.Regenerative design involves creating systems, buildings, and products that not only do less harm but actively contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems. This can include regenerative agriculture, green building practices, and cradle-to-cradle design, where materials are reused in a continuous cycle. Indigenous cultures often embody regenerative principles through their deep connection with nature and understanding of the cyclical processes of life. Wahl encourages learning from and integrating Indigenous knowledge into modern practices to create systems that align with natural cycles.Regeneration requires collective effort. Communities and organizations should engage in collaborative action, bringing together diverse stakeholders to co-create solutions that benefit both people and the planet. This includes participatory design processes, community-led initiatives, and cross-sector partnerships. Regenerative systems are adaptive, capable of responding to changes and challenges over time. Wahl advocates for designing flexible, resilient systems that can evolve and learn, incorporating feedback loops to continuously improve and regenerate. By implementing these principles, communities and organizations can move beyond sustainability and work towards creating regenerative systems that actively restore ecological health and resilience.Craig Calhoun and Benjamin Y. Fong argue that prioritizing sustainability is essential for economic stability, social equity, and long-term national strength in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. Calhoun and Fong argue that unsustainable practices, particularly those that contribute to environmental degradation, pose serious risks to long-term economic stability. Climate change, resource depletion, and environmental crises can lead to severe economic disruptions, affecting industries, employment, and overall economic growth. By prioritizing sustainability, economies can be better insulated from these shocks, ensuring more consistent and reliable economic performance over time. They highlight that sustainability is deeply connected to social equity. Environmental challenges often disproportionately affect marginalized and vulnerable communities. Prioritizing sustainability ensures that the benefits of economic growth are more equitably distributed and that the negative impacts of environmental degradation do not disproportionately burden those who are already disadvantaged. This approach fosters greater social cohesion and fairness.Calhoun and Fong also assert that a nation's long-term strength and resilience are closely tied to its ability to address environmental challenges proactively. Nations that invest in sustainable practices, green technologies, and climate resilience are better positioned to lead in the global economy, maintain social stability, and protect their populations from the adverse effects of climate change. Prioritizing sustainability, therefore, is seen as essential for maintaining national strength and securing a prosperous future. By framing sustainability as integral to economic stability, social equity, and national strength, Calhoun and Fong make the case that it is not just an environmental concern but a fundamental aspect of responsible governance and long-term planning in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges.Thomas Elmqvist and a team of experts, delve into the social-ecological processes of urbanization and emphasize the interconnectedness of cities and nature. Urban expansion often leads to the destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats, which can severely impact local biodiversity. Urban areas contribute to climate change through increased greenhouse gas emissions and the urban heat island effect, which can alter local and regional climates and affect ecosystems. Cities consume vast amounts of natural resources, including water, energy, and land, which can lead to the depletion of these resources and negatively impact ecosystems. Urban areas generate significant pollution, including air, water, and soil pollution, which can harm both human health and biodiversity. Rapid urban growth, especially in areas with limited governance capacity, poses challenges for effective biodiversity protection and ecosystem management.Integrating green spaces, such as parks, green roofs, and urban forests, into city planning can enhance biodiversity and provide ecosystem services like air purification, temperature regulation, and recreational spaces. Adopting sustainable urban planning practices can minimize the negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity and ecosystems. This includes strategies like compact city design, mixed land use, and the preservation of natural areas. Utilizing natural systems to address urban challenges, such as using wetlands for flood control or urban forests for cooling, can provide cost-effective and sustainable solutions.Involving local communities in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management can lead to more effective and inclusive outcomes. Public awareness and education can also foster a sense of stewardship and support for conservation efforts. Strengthening policies and governance frameworks to support biodiversity and ecosystem services can help mitigate the negative impacts of urbanization. This includes creating protected areas, enforcing environmental regulations, and promoting sustainable development practices. These insights underscore the importance of integrating biodiversity and ecosystem considerations into urban planning and development to create more sustainable and resilient cities.David Wallace-Wells provides the potential impacts of climate change on our planet. He emphasizes that the effects of climate change are more severe and immediate than many people realize. Wallace-Wells argues that we are underestimating the speed and scale of the changes. Climate change will affect every aspect of life on Earth, from health and food security to economic stability and geopolitical tensions. Some areas, particularly in the tropics and subtropics, could experience temperatures so high that they become uninhabitable for humans. This includes regions in South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. Coastal cities and low-lying islands could be submerged due to rising sea levels, displacing millions of people.As regions become uninhabitable, large populations may be forced to migrate. This could lead to unprecedented numbers of climate refugees, straining resources and infrastructure in receiving areas. Droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events can lead to food and water shortages, prompting mass migrations in search of more stable living conditions. The impacts of climate change can severely disrupt economies, leading to job losses, increased poverty, and economic instability. Resource scarcity and mass migrations can exacerbate political tensions, potentially leading to conflicts and societal unrest. Increased temperatures and changing ecosystems can lead to the spread of diseases, putting additional strain on healthcare systems. Wallace-Wells emphasizes that these scenarios are not guaranteed but are possible outcomes if significant action is not taken to mitigate climate change.Wallace-Wells acknowledges that while the situation is dire, there is still potential for positive change. Advances in renewable energy, carbon capture, and other green technologies can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Stronger environmental policies and international agreements can drive large-scale changes. Governments have the power to implement regulations that limit emissions and promote sustainable practices.Increased awareness and activism can lead to societal shifts. When people understand the urgency of the climate crisis, they are more likely to support and demand meaningful action. Transitioning to a green economy can create jobs and drive economic growth. Investing in sustainable industries can provide both environmental and economic benefits. Communities can adapt to changing conditions through better planning and infrastructure. Building resilience can help mitigate some of the impacts of climate change.These actions, when combined, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help communities adapt to the inevitable changes brought by climate change. Wallace-Wells emphasizes that while the challenges are immense, human ingenuity and collective action can still make a significant difference. It’s a call to not only recognize the severity of the crisis but also to harness our potential to address it.We’ve explored the essential elements that forge a nation’s strength. A powerful country harmonizes these traits to become stable, prosperous, and influential, meeting its citizens’ needs and playing a significant role on the global stage. And Allah knows best.But now, let’s ponder: what factors can weaken or even destroy a nation? My dear friend Cattleya will join you in this intriguing discussion, Insha Allah."And as it waves its leaves in a gentle goodbye, Seruni hums a soothing melody,Kalau mau jadi aku, kamu tinggal main Tiktok[If you want to be like me, just play on TikTok]Kalau mau tengok aku, kamu tinggal buka Youtube[If you want to see me, just open YouTube]Apakah kamu cinta, apa kamu sayang[Either you love me, or you care]Aku mau bersahabat sama kamu *)[I want to be friends with you]
Citations & References:
- Daniel Christian Wahl, Designing Regenerative Cultures, 2016, Triarchy Press
- Craig Calhoun & Benjamin Y. Fong, The Green New Deal and the Future of Work, 2022, Columbia University Press
- Thomas Elmqvist, Michail Fragkias & Julie Goodness [et. al.] (Eds.), Urbanization, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and Opportunities, 2013, Springer
- David Wallace-Wells, The Uninhabitable Earth: A Story of the Future, 2019, Penguin
*) "Lagu Untuk Kamu" written by Haposan Harianto Tobing
