[www.dailysummit.net]

 Close

add comment

Comments: While we're on polls,

JCSD: Draft Point 27: the word "sustenance" is misused. What's meant is "...sustainability of biological diversity...".
"Sustenance" implies "providing food", but "giving nutrients to biological diversity" is not meant.
Can someone fix this? Please!
Why have I long suspected that the key word of the WSSD was not quite understood? I'm an ecologist!

Posted by Stan Woods on September 4, 2002 01:42 AM

I have these definitions - and think pra 27 probably gets through on 1a.

sus·te·nance n.

1.
a. The act of sustaining.
b. The condition of being sustained.
2. The supporting of life or health; maintenance: “to deliver in every morning six beeves, forty sheep, and other victuals for my sustenance” (Jonathan Swift).

3. Something, especially food, that sustains life or health.

4. Means of livelihood.

http://www.dictionary.com/search?r=67&q=sustenance

Posted by David Steven on September 4, 2002 03:19 AM

Hi David,
In the context of Para 27, you are supporting the 'warm and fuzzy'. People 'in the act of sustaining' does not mesh with the real world where people are always net exploiters - good ones or bad.
For the Johannesburg Commitment to 'reaffirm' that people are 'giving nurture' to biological diversity is a nonsense. The intention was almost certainly to say that people have to be important in turning around the current destruction towards sustainability.
The conspiracy theory is: then somebody twisted the words.
Result: This part of Para 27 is effectively meaningless. Pity to waste even one final word.

You're doing a great job, adding atmosphere to the cut and thrust.
Cheers, Stan

Posted by Stan Woods on September 4, 2002 11:22 PM

 

 Post a comment

 Name:

 Email Address:

 URL:

 Comments:

 Remember info?




All debates will be passively moderated, so postings may be edited. The Daily Summit reserves the right to remove any comments which use defamatory, libellous, racist, sexist or otherwise offensive language. The views expressed in discussion areas do not represent Daily Summit policy and are intended as a means of inviting debate on relevant issues.