Breaking it down

By Janelle Christian
Like pop culture, there have been a number of buzzwords and catch phrases used over the years in discussions concerning our environment, which became popular to the extent that they were not only used by technocrats and politicians, but also the man in the street. Some of these include: ecotourism, carbon footprints, ecosystem services, biodiversity, global warming, climate change, sustainable development, to name a few.
But do we really know what they mean? Here in Guyana over the last seven years, the buzzwords have been the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and climate change. While many are still trying to grasp an understanding of the LCDS and climate change, newer concepts of a Green Economy and the promise of a Good Life have been introduced to the Guyanese public. These new terms also require some definition or explanation.
In an attempt to answer the question of “What is a Good Life”, and contribute to the discussion over time, on how we get there, in my opinion it is necessary to first offer an explanation of the following key terms: Sustainable Development; Green Growth; Green Economy; Climate Change; LCDS and Quality of Life. According to the 1987 Brundtland Report, (i) Sustainable Development means development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, (ii) Green Growth means fostering economic growth and development, while ensuring that natural assets continue to provide the resources and environmental services on which our well-being relies (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), (iii) Green Economy according the United Nations Environment Programme a Green Economy is one that contributes to ´´improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities´´. Further, it states that economic development should be achieved through public and private sector investments along a low carbon pathway. Such development should also promote the efficient use of our natural resources, while protecting and preserving our biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Climate Change simply means, the long-term change of the earth´s climate including changes in temperature, precipitation and wind patterns over a period of several decades or longer, while the LCDS is a framework to guide Guyana´s development plans along a low-carbon path, reducing our vulnerability to climate change impacts. Finally, Quality of Life is the product of the interplay among social, health, economic and environmental conditions that affect the human and social development of the Guyanese people.
The Government of Guyana has advanced/advocated a Green Economy Pathway as the vehicle for economic growth and development for the nation, which by definition has identified improved human development and social inclusion as one of its main pillars. No doubt the road to the “good life” is achievable along the green economy pathway. In this respect, the good life means that the policies, plans, programmes and projects of the government must seek to empower the poor and marginalized to take advantage of growing opportunities for wealth creation. Further, government should also create and promote the institutional framework and mechanisms for consultation and participation of the citizens in making decisions which affect their lives.
Economic growth and development achieved through the Green Economy Pathway will facilitate equal access by all citizens to basic services including health, education, water, sanitation, electricity, telecommunication and affordable housing. The Green Economy Pathway will also pave the way for improved living conditions through rehabilitation, upgrade and installation of public infrastructure, along with protection of the vulnerable, disadvantaged and excluded sections of society.
Further, for the achievement of a “good life”, government should ensure that the base – our natural capital- on which our livelihoods, nutrition, health, employment, income and wealth creation opportunities are dependent, is protected through policy reforms and sustainable investments that will reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities. When basic services are within the reach of the average Guyanese, whether one lives in a rural or urban area or whether you one is rich or poor, one can safely say that one is on the road to a ¨Good Life¨. Like the concept of ¨quality of life¨, a good life is multidimensional and subjective and does not necessarily mean an improvement only in an individual´s economic position, but rather their general well-being.
The ´´good life´´ therefore is not as elusive as some may have us think or that it is only achievable through major infrastructural development projects and investments, but rather it is subject to the interpretation of the individual, who from his or her frame of reference, considers himself or herself to be in a better position than previously, whether through socio-economic improvements, access to services and opportunities, safety and security or personal fulfilment.

The next article will deal with Democratic Governance and the pursuit of a Good Life. Ms. Janelle Christian is a young professional with over five (5) years project management experience and an advocate for youth and community development. Ms. Christian is qualified in the field of environment and natural resources management with a BSc in Environmental Studies and MSc in Natural Resources Management. She is currently the Head of the Office of Climate Change. (Comments can be sent email address: towardsagoodlife@gmail.com)