LOREN: The challenge in development is undeniably clear

The challenge in development is undeniably clear.
Through the centuries since the industrial revolution, Mother Earth has been at the mercy of human’s insatiable desires for material wealth and economic progress. Yet our ways of thinking and pursuing development have depleted our social, cultural and natural wealth. Sadly, we must admit, our so-called development has made the poor more vulnerable, has placed some cultures at risk of extinction, and has pushed ecosystems services like fisheries beyond repair.
Contemporary development practices have been irresponsible since they have allowed disaster risks to grow, to spread, and to prevail until today. Urban poverty, weak governance, ecosystems decline, vulnerable rural livelihoods, turbo-charged by climate change have altogether created enormous risks in our cities and communities and have put the poor in greater peril.These risks will constantly challenge our human capacity to cope, imperil all development gains, and keep the Millennium Development Goals elusive.
The “slumdog millionaire” reality that has bedeviled many developing countries is a wakeup call for all. We are in a vicious cycle of economic boom and bust, with the peoples and environment at the receiving end of a failing model of economic development. This has entrapped the poor and the vulnerable, and has corrupted societies. We cannot continue using Mother Earth as collateral in our economic games of chance.

LOREN LEGARDA