Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Biomimicry

This write up is an attempt to collate information on biodiversity and biotechnology interactions and inter relationships in general and examine the status of benefit sharing mechanisms in place when marine biodiversity is used in development of products and services. Additionally, the less known `biomimicry’ which draws inspiration from nature for development of products and services is also introduced with examples

Cost of Sustainable Development

To be included at a later dat

First Nations Annual Report 2020

The year 2020 is not one that will be forgotten.On the 40th Anniversary year of First NationsDevelopment Institute, the world experienceda deadly pandemic and the aftershocks thatcontinue to plague communities locally andglobally

Honoring Indigenous Knowledge: First Nations Annual Report 2020

First Nations recognizes that accessing healthy food is a challenge for many Native American children and families. Without access to healthy food, a nutritious diet and good health are outof reach. To increase access to healthy food, we support tribes and Native communities as they build sustainable food systems that improve health, strengthen food security and economies, increase control over Native agriculture and food systems, and promote Native food sovereignty

Towards a Green Public Bank in the Public Interest

This paper discusses the rediscovery of public banks and their potential—to finance low-carbon, climate-resilient development, and as a public sector alternative that can overcome the shortcomings of the private sector and market approaches mentioned above. The paper suggests an ideal-type public bank that would be needed for a green transformation that is also in the public interest. The ideal type is crafted around five central features: mandated role; financial sustainability; operational strategy; democratization of governance; and integral integration of workplace and community. The defining characteristics of each feature can be found in existing public banks

The utopianism of human enhancement : impacting our present through images of the future

This paper explores the idea that the desirability of human enhancement stems from the utopianism of human existence and argues that the “human enhancement movement” (HEM) should be understood as a utopian pursuit that impacts both the individual and society in distinct ways. Here, it is argued that the utopian character of HEM is not faithfully realised if it fails to improve life in both the individual and social sense. In particular, it is here highlighted that utopia entails a certain ‘perpetuality’ in both instances, defined as a ‘persistent utopia’ by Miguel Abensour. This illustrates the enduring value of utopian thinking within the discussion on human enhancement. Through this, it is argued, we are able to both appreciate the desirability of HEM and then reconstitute and re-articulate the kind of change sought through HEM as inextricably social and socially-advancing. In so doing, HEM accommodates and supports (or should be understood as doing so) the continuous push for progress, or “betterment”, thereby shedding light on the inadequacies of human society. Moreover, it is postulated that HEM aims to develop both individuals and society writ large through a reciprocal and interminable cycle of influence which should be acknowledged and nurtured. The conclusion is that images of an enhanced human future instilled through HEM—undoubtedly utopian images—can have a direct and positive, policy shaping impact on the progression of human societies and its institutions. This focus should reshape the debate on enhancement.peer-reviewe

Journeys of Sustainability - a Handbook on Sustainable Tourism for Europe-Asia Volunteers

This handbook was designed in order to achieve two main goals: to present a Europe-Asia project on sustainable and responsible tourism and to provide a toolkit for future projects with the same type of cooperation and covering such topics as sustainable development, responsible tourism, community development, environmental awareness, intercultural communication and capacity building among youth

Quakers and Creation Care: Potentials and Pitfalls for an Ecotheology of Friends (Chapter Five in Quakers, Creation Care, and Sustainability)

While Friends have a strong tradition of activism around the social justice issues of each era, we also tend to spiritualize our faith, disconnecting it from the material world. Environmental concerns are arguably one of the most important social justice issues of of our time, and in many ways, activism, advocacy, and lifestyle witness seem like natural ways for Friends to engage in social justice in this time in history. This essay will explore some of the historical and theological strengths Friends can draw from our tradition that can help build a particularly Quaker ecotheology, as well as some of the portions of the Friends tradition that get in the way of practicing our faith in a more sustainable way

Volume 14, Number 1 (Spring/Summer 2018)

Issue Highlights: The four pillars of the Institute of Agriculture Alumna forges partnership amid Waldo Canyon fire Fishery biologists revive a rive