Contextual Sustainability : Global problems, Local Standards

Sustainability is a global concern. But the standards and mitigation practices need to be very local.
It just hit my mind when I saw some of the postures on sustainability in some of the Indian offices. For example: Recycle paper, a ton of paper recycled will save some whatever trees

For God's sake, this poster is just not for India. Every Indian sells his old newspapers, unwanted books, magazines, etc. The wealthy gives it off to their servants, maids so that they can sell in .

Sustainability need to be defined locally, in a context. Based on the problems, each country or region faces. There cannot be a global criteria. LCA analysis and carbon foot print values will vary signifcantly.
India and other emerging countries, will score less on energy efficiency but score high on recycling, while it will be just the  opposite for a product manufactured in the developing world.

Coming to the paper thing, waste is indeed a problem is India, but recycling is not an  issue. Waste is a resource, and it supports a  part of the population. For the good or for the bad, the very poor are the torchbearers of sustainability. Having better sustainable standards here will be to find out ways to improve the lives of waste pickers, employees working in toxic recycling units and how can a system be made so that recycling can be efficient and ethical and will not harm the environment in the process.

Has 2010 taught us enough for 2011

The recurrent major natural calamities make us feel more human than probably what we used to feel 20 years ago. Where everything was at our disposal to be used and destroyed at our own free will. 
As I have posted earlier. It is time we take this seriously and find ways and means and systems, products and processes to deal with it. I am afraid this is looking again the consumerist ways which we have been so used to, but at least here we do not have a choice.
 The time to take positive action has gone years back, but we are still playing the passing game: Copenhagen, Cancun......
At least Jairam Ganesh has taken a positive step by getting India into the negotiation table. The future world leaders will be countries who can lead the sustainable agenda. And who can have the preparedness 
to take care of at least its own countries' people and property from a furious Mother Earth. But bear in mind it is not just one countries struggle.when CO2 goes up it cannot choose....