20
FIRST, A BACKGROUNDON THE BIG ISSUE:
The term “sustainability” has become
part of our daily lingo. By using eco
bags instead of plastic, making the
effort to recycle or even upcycle by
repurposing old things, and choosing
public transportation or biking over
driving, we are able to make choices every
day that leave a smaller footprint on the
environment. We all want to make the
world a more sustainable place — who
wouldn’t? — not only for today, but also
for the future.
WHAT
IS
A
SUSTAINABLE
ECONOMY?
As defined by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and
Development in 1987, sustainable economic development meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. That means if we can live without messing up the
environment for our kids, their kids and their kids’ kids, we’re doing fine.
SIGNS YOU LIVE IN A SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY
You have
access to food
and precious
resources like
clean water
You have a
stable roof over
your head and
you don’t fear
being homeless
You have access
to schools and
learn skills that
can lead to jobs
and opportunity
Your racial
and economic
status doesn’t
jeopardize
another’s
Your government
is accountable,
transparent and
not corrupt
Your country has
the resources
to safeguard
against natural
disasters
The clothes you
buy and the
food you eat are
sustainably and
ethically sourced
You earn enough
to meet your
needs without
feeling like it’s all
a big struggle
Your trash doesn’t
contribute to
environmental
waste and
pollution
map to the future
What do this month’s Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation meetings in Manila and Cebu mean for
me and you? Patricia Tumang breaks it down for us
yahoo
happening now
INFOGRAPHIC BY RAXENNE MANIQUIZ AND JO MALINIS/ STUDIOMAMA
APEC converges this year in the
Philippines for a series of critical talks,
including the APEC Finance Ministers’
Meeting in Cebu on September 10 and
11 — where APEC officials will decide on
the Cebu Action Plan, a development
roadmap for the Asia-Pacific region — and
the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting
on November 18 and 19 in Manila. We’ve
put together this primer to illustrate what
APEC is doing for the region, and for us, in
order to build a sustainable future.
