Biopolicy: A Global Vision and
Solution
for Building a Society of Hope
by Dr.
Agni Vlavianos-Arvanitis
President and Founder, Biopolitics
International Organisation
John Pellam John
Pellam John Pellam John Pellam John Pellam John Pellam John Pellam John Pellam
John Pellam John Pellam The BWW Society The Bibliotheque World Wide Society The
Institute for Positive Global Solutions Pellam Journal of Science Journal of
Global Issues and Solutions
Saving the Continuity of Bios – A Long-Term Vision in
Sustainable Development:
Our
world is experiencing a serious crisis in values. Arrogance and lack of vision
in international policy has led to an unprecedented rate of environmental
degradation and abuse. The very continuation of “bios” – life on our planet –
is threatened by global warming, climate change, a declining resource base, the
loss of species and habitats, inadequate water supplies, desertification. All
are global problems, requiring global solutions and a new level of
international cooperation and action.
A
society that values the protection of the environment can find solutions that
benefit and save life. The right mindset, appropriate technology, and, above
all, a bios-enhancing vision in international policy will lead us to new and
better energy resources. Since its inception in 1985, the Biopolitics
International Organisation (B.I.O.) has been working to inspire such a vision,
by promoting “biopolicy” in every human endeavor.
We
do not lack the technology or the know-how necessary to integrate sustainable
development into our economies. What we urgently need is a new approach that
will help us realize the urgent need for action. Curbing environmental
deterioration and securing the continuity of life on our planet is a paramount
challenge; its ethical, political and socio-cultural aspects necessitate an
urgent paradigm shift in society as a whole. Because resources are abundant, we
think we can overconsume. A fraction of the quantity of natural resources used
today could power our economies, if utilized more efficiently and less
wastefully.
Deep
in our hearts we are all aware of what is going on, and in ten-years time we
will all agree there is no other alternative. Our society resembles an inverted
pyramid, where nothing is in balance because we have based the whole structure
on the wrong priorities. In the mid 1980s, who could have predicted that
political regimes, which seemed invincible, were soon to collapse? Time is
running out and, unless we espouse new thinking, the future of humanity and all
life on our planet, will be at stake.
The ‘Bio-Assessment’ of Technology – Environmental
Responsibility:
Technology
expands human potential but can also have disastrous consequences for the state
of the environment and life on our planet. Technological development that
proceeds without concern for its impact on the environment is not viable. Only
new technologies that prevent pollution, rely on clean energy sources and
encourage resource conservation should be further researched and pursued.
Moreover, progress in every field of human endeavor should be evaluated in
terms of its contribution to environmental appreciation and protection. Policy
on industry-related risks, scientific research in and development of clean
technologies and nuclear safety and radiation protection, must be implemented
globally.
Solutions
to environmental problems and the development and implementation of
environmentally sound technologies require a range of different disciplines and
skills, and, in particular, imagination and innovation. The “bio-assessment of
technology,” as promoted by B.I.O., involves a thorough re-evaluation of
priorities in technology and the development of initiatives that respect and
help the environment. These initiatives include environmentally friendly
technology, which should always be carried out with the aim of protecting every
form of life on our planet. A deeper ethical commitment is needed towards the
environment and all forms of life.
Environmental
pollution and degradation do not respect international treaties and state
boundaries. Informing the public and soliciting their active participation in
the debate about ethics concerning the environment is a crucial and urgent task
if destructive trends are to be curbed. Establishing codes of environmental
ethics for all professions and assessing technological developments on the
basis of environmental criteria would contribute to the elevation of our
ethical responsibilities towards the environment into everyday decision-making
and lead to greater respect for the gift of life, the most precious possession
on our planet. The bio-assessment of
technology can inspire new bioethical values in society thus placing respect
for the environment at the core of every academic and professional initiative.
We are interdependent with the whole natural environment, with all
forms of bios. If bios is systematically destroyed in the name of progress,
there can be no gain. It is our unquestionable ethical responsibility to assess
human progress in the context of partnership, equity, and balance among all
forms of life on our planet. The ethical foundation found in medicine, stemming
from the oath of Hippocrates, needs to be expanded into other fields. The
anthropocentric view of the world, in which the environment was seen as
existing for the benefit of humans, needs to be supplanted by a biocentric
view, which promotes respect for all forms of life. Codes of ethics which
incorporate these values should be developed and broadly adopted in the
scientific and engineering fields, as well as in business. A universal
understanding of environmental ethics must be developed for the chain of life
to survive.
Biopolicy for Alternative Energy – Meeting the Global Energy
Challenge:
Every
scope of human activity would benefit from advancements in alternative and renewable energy, which is cheap, abundant, and
sustainable. B.I.O. promotes a search for new solutions, the implementation of
relevant policies, and socially conscious decision-making by governments,
business sectors and individuals. Through our many educational programs we are
also hoping to inform all members of society on the various possibilities and
concerns in this field so that they may make sound and educated decisions.
The
environment has always provided a variety of options for alternative and
renewable energy sources. Some alternatives have been used for years and others
are still being developed. For example, biomass energy that has been used in
developing countries is becoming increasingly common in industrialized
countries as well. Biomass can be used to produce electricity, transportation
fuels, or chemicals, which can replace petroleum and other non-renewable
materials in wood adhesives, molded plastic, and foam insulation. Moreover, the
use of biofuels, such as ethanol, which can be mixed with gasoline, results in
less carbon monoxide emissions from vehicles and has resulted in the design of
advanced vehicles.
Considerable
importance has also been placed on the research and development of clean energy
sources, such as solar power and photovoltaics, wind, waves, geothermal energy,
hydrogen and fuel cells. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used directly for
heating and lighting homes and other buildings, heating water, generating
electricity, and for a variety of commercial and industrial uses. Wind, driven
by the sun’s heat, produces energy that can be captured with turbines and
converted into electricity. Wind turbines function alone or can be connected to
a utility power grid or combined with a photovoltaic system. Stand-alone wind
turbines are used for pumping water and for communications. Some estimates have
shown that wind can potentially provide around one tenth of the world’s power.
That would cut down dioxide emissions by a billion tons a year. Geothermal
energy taps the Earth’s internal heat to produce electricity and to heat and
cool buildings. The ocean’s tidal energy and wave energy, as well as the
temperature difference between surface and ocean depths, can be used to produce
electricity.
In the
realm of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, advancements have opened the door
to the development of a quiet, clean source of energy. Fuel cells utilize the
chemical energy of hydrogen to produce electricity and thermal energy. Water is
the only by-product emitted if fuel cells use hydrogen directly, and they can
achieve higher efficiencies than the internal combustion engine. Current fuel
cell efficiencies are in the 40% to 50% range, with up to 80% efficiency
reported when used in combined heat and power applications. We should celebrate
these achievements and find inspiration in them in order to persevere in our
efforts.
Many
of the obstacles faced in the implementation of alternative energy policies by
the global community are attributed to the absence of compliance with
international agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol is a
step in the right direction by assigning mandatory targets for combating
climate change, but it is not the answer. Its shortcomings are clear in that greenhouse
gas emissions are translated into a financial market lacking long-term value.
The success of the Kyoto Protocol is not a question of which nations have
endorsed it. Emissions trading and carbon credits just postpone the problem for
the future. More in-depth research and planning is necessary in order to
overcome the hurdles that exist and to accelerate the development and
availability of alternative energy in every corner of the world, through
forward-looking initiatives for the promotion and protection of bios. This is
the goal and vision of biopolicy.
Inspiration through Progress – Redefining the Concept of Profit:
Governments
and international institutions are encouraging sustainable development through
both the financing of projects and the implementation of various policies. As a
result, corporate environments are changing. Businesses are realizing that it
is essential to achieve a developmental framework that places people and the
planet before profits. Managing the environmental program in an industrial or
commercial facility has become an increasingly complex and challenging
assignment owing to the expanding maze of environmental laws and regulations
and the growing public expectations regarding environmental protection. To be
effective, program and policies promoting greener products, the use of fewer
natural resources, and lower impacts and risks to the environment, must be
based on an overall framework of biopolicy, which will help to focus every
activity on the consequential task of saving the environment and life on our
planet.
Businesses recognize that a good profile within the
community can be strengthened by displaying a strong environmental ethic. With
pro-environmental shareholders entering into dialogue with decision makers,
corporate behavior on the environment can be steered towards a direction that
can meet the needs and demands of the global public and civil society. To
succeed in capturing new markets, the enterprises of the future will have to
align their growth strategies with providing solutions to the world’s most
pressing challenges: clean energy, the protection of natural resources, safe water
and food. Corporate social and environmental responsibility have entered the
mainstream, as companies are facing growing pressure to be responsible
citizens. When
companies minimize their environmental risks and foster ethical policies, they
may also gain a competitive advantage by reducing costs, improving the quality
of their products and services, and gaining access to new markets. As many
public and private investors refuse to endow companies that pollute the planet
and place the health of the world’s population at risk, investments are
increasingly directed towards businesses that meet the basic standards of
environmental responsibility.
Corporations and entrepreneurs can work together to tackle
the challenge of sustainable development. A grassroots mobilization and public
participation, on both the local and international levels, can enhance the
establishment of bios-supporting economic strategies worldwide. Preserving the
wealth and beauty of our natural resources, removing sources of pollution, securing
the health of the Earth’s population, providing fair rules of trade, and
guaranteeing equal educational opportunities for every citizen in the world is
of genuine value to society. The concept of “profit” has to be redefined and
encompass elements which constitute a true gain for humanity: health, quality
of life, culture, biodiversity, clean energy, secure and safe resources. A
three-dimensional approach to economics, with the environment at the core of
all structural and fundamental policies, would help to replace current
fragmented approaches and focus every activity on a developmental framework
with long-term value.
Green Salary – biopolicy in business
The
urgency of addressing the global problems of unemployment and environmental
degradation suggest that a mutual solution may be available. Many young people
are entering the labor market with few skills and even fewer opportunities for
productive work. At the same time, the global environment continues to be
degraded. Sustainable employment in the environmental field opens the
possibilities for disadvantaged groups and youth to develop their employment
potential and also creates new work opportunities. Rather than providing
conventional benefit payments to the unemployed, they could be offered the
opportunity to work in some area related to the protection or restoration of
the environment and earn a “green salary” for their contribution. The
opportunities abound, as many environmental problems exist today that can be
ameliorated by human intervention. Reforestation and efforts to contain
desertification and soil erosion are examples. Moreover, the growing embrace of
alternative energy is rapidly creating new jobs in the design, manufacturing,
installation, servicing, and marketing of new technologies and products. Jobs
also arise indirectly from the supply of raw materials, transportation,
equipment, and professional services. In the transportation sector, the use of
hydrogen and fuel cells are creating a new concept of car technology and resulting
new areas of research and development. Advancements in solar energy and the use
of environmentally friendly construction materials have led to the creation of
green buildings. Some green buildings are now completely and solely powered by
solar thermal and electric energy that operates all systems, including heating,
cooling, lighting, computers, water pumps, and office equipment.
If we are
to succeed in reversing global environmental degradation and limiting poverty,
young people everywhere must be imbued with a love and respect for the
environment. What can be better than a “hands-on” approach to protecting the
environment?
World Referendum and a Bank of Ideas:
Access to knowledge
with modern communication technology enables global participation in the race
to save the environment, empowers sustainable development, and increases
awareness of our bioethical responsibilities. As first proposed by B.I.O. in
1992, communication technology can help humanity to dynamically voice its
concern over environmental deterioration and all its bioethical considerations.
A “World Referendum” for every citizen to simultaneously cast a vote for the
environment, would result in a global mobilization for the reversal of
destructive trends and would guarantee a brighter future.
A world
vote on the environment cannot be successful without the contribution of the
media. The media coordinate and correlate information, thus shaping and
inspiring social and cultural attitudes. The power of the media in influencing
public opinion as well as the infrastructure available can make the
implementation of a simultaneous vote on bios a reality in every corner of the
world.
To be effective in responding to environmental and
bioethical challenges, it is essential to stop reinventing the wheel. Owing to
poorly coordinated efforts, valuable time and resources are wasted while damage
to bios persists. The knowledge and technology to prevent further destruction
are available, but they have to be disseminated more efficiently. An electronic
“Bank of Ideas,” where any interested party may contribute information or
thoughts concerning the protection of the environment and bios, can promote an
expedient transfer of know-how that will help to harness pollution and
environmental deterioration and put an end to wasteful and unethical practices.
Bio-Diplomacy – An International
Effort in Defense of the Environment:
Bio-diplomacy – international co-operation in environmental
protection – is a concept pioneered by B.I.O. at a time when civic leaders, international
organizations, and the world community as whole had not fully realized the
urgency of adopting common environmental policy as a priority. It focuses on
the interdependence of all forms of life and calls upon diplomats and people of
influence to engage in a collective endeavor in defense of the environment.
Joint efforts to protect the environment can boost international relations and
act as a bridge between global impetus and decision-making at the national and
local levels.
Bio-diplomacy is an opportunity for the aspirations of
sovereign states and civil society to converge in pursuit of long-term
international environmental policy and action. At the same time, bio-diplomacy
actively supports efforts to maintain biological and cultural diversity and
seeks to improve human relations and to attain the goal of world peace by
replacing current diplomatic attitudes with a complete international and
intercultural perspective. Within this framework, respect for human rights and
the existence of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural societies is an undeniable
principle.
Peace cannot be achieved in a world ravaged by pollution,
hunger and disease. We need to build a sound society, which can lead humanity
to a brighter future. A bios-promoting vision, one that places the ethics of
bios at the heart of societal structure, can provide the necessary framework to
end wars and civil strife and to achieve a world in which the gift of bios is
truly appreciated.
Environmental pollution and degradation do not respect international
treaties and state boundaries. Unless a universal understanding of bioethics
evolves, the very continuation of the chain of life on our planet will be at
stake. Informing the public and soliciting their active participation in the
debate about ethics concerning the environment is a crucial and urgent task if
destructive trends are to be curbed. Assessing technological developments on
the basis of environmental criteria would contribute greatly towards elevating
bioethical considerations into a priority in decision-making at every level.
Bio-Education – The Role of the
To succeed in expanding the vision of sustainable
development, education must be directed at creative and thoughtful action for
the development of the highest potential of each individual for the benefit of
the world and future generations. The purpose and responsibility of
bio-education is to uplift the spirit of humanity and to reverse the crisis in
values that has resulted in serious environmental deterioration. By providing
interdisciplinary models with environmental considerations in every specialty,
bio-education seeks to apply environmental protection to every human endeavor.
To implement the ideals of bio-education, B.I.O. launched
the
A View to the Future:
Can we
hear the ticking clock of destruction? If life is annihilated in the name of
progress there can be no gain. It is our unquestionable ethical responsibility
to assess progress in the context of partnership, equity, and balance among all
forms of life on our planet. We urgently need an environmental vision to help
us make the survival of bios our collective priority. This vision can bring
environmental concerns to the core of society, by setting out the challenges we
face on the reduction of biodiversity, the deterioration of environmental
quality, the decline of natural resources and conventional energy supplies, and
the need to reinforce sustainable development policy with a view to the future.
Our common
enemy is the destruction of bios, and we need to join forces to mount an
adequate response to the environmental crisis. International collaboration is
key in securing the well-being and survival of future generations. Education
through the International University for the Bio-Environment, public participation
in the form of a World Referendum to save bios, awareness-raising and the
involvement and mobilization of individuals from all walks of life, are some of
the initiatives launched over the past twenty years by B.I.O. in the struggle
to protect bios and guarantee a better future for all.
Humanity
has been given a final opportunity to respect the close relationship that
exists between its actions and the environment. In order to promote equity and
improve quality of life, we need a vision that can help us to set an
international agenda for correcting the inequities of the past. Protecting and
managing the global environment rationally will be the most challenging task
for the new millennium. Technology has become infused in every field of human
endeavor. Like a new Prometheus with sensitivity and prophecy, it has provided
light and fire and has made possible the advent of a new era. This ability must
be tempered with a solid base of fundamental values in order to lead to a
better future. The current crisis in values is a great threat, not only to the
environment but also to peace. This is why there is a pressing need for
biopolicy as a global solution to help motivate every citizen to protect the
environment and contribute to the building of a society of hope.
Harmony
With wings of the soul
I touch the golden waves of infinity
around, heavenly beauty like light
sparkles rays with colors of flowers
whispers the soil, awakens the earth
not like a mother, just like a
daughter
of the cycle of wear
and the infinite of the eternal
the melody of the universe
is surrounded by the rhythm of
harmony
A. Vlavianos-Arvanitis
Oscillations, A Collection of Poems,
1983
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Biopolitics International Organisation,
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Author’s
Note: All of the above references are available electronically at
www.biopolitics.gr
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