“Our Common Future” – the Masterpiece of Gro Harlem Brundtland, Also Known to Many As the Influential “Brundtland Report”
SustainabilityHQ Highlights (02.18.2016)
“Our Common Future” – the Masterpiece of Gro Harlem Brundtland, Also Known to M…
Former Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland of Norway (and then special envoy for the United Nations) was invited by the UN to create and manage a “World Commission on Environment and Development (“WCED”), which over time became known as the “Brundtland Commission.” The commission gave the world a framework for moving forward on what would become known as “sustainable development.”
The commission report (in 1987) was titled, “Our Common Future,” paved the way for the world leader gathering in 1992 – the “Earth Summit.” Her work continued after the commission work concluded; she led the Norwegian government peace initiative in the Middle East, bringing the PLO’s Yasser Arafat and Israel’s Yitzak Rabin. (This led to the “Oslo Accords.”) Ms. Brundtland moved on to the World Health Organization (WHO) as Director-General.
Then it was on to be one of the UN’s Special Envoys for Climate Change. And to close comradeship with President Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond Tutu and other leaders as “the Elders,” bringing attention to pressing societal issues. She is a fascinating – and inspiring – woman in key global and regional leadership roles.
So what are her thoughts on the current state of sustainability? How has the concept moved forward – and after 28 years, what has the world accepted (of the thoughts of Our Common Future)? (The main message remains: Our generation has a responsibility to address the destiny of the planet.) How does she view the meetings in Paris (COP 21)?
She shares her views on these questions and on electric-powered cars and the beneficial impact on public health. How can countries encourage the adoption of EV’s? (Remember, her home country of Norway is a major oil-producing nation – pumping fossil fuel for powering of internal combustion engines.)
