Opinion

Sustainable action

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-13 15:09

This year's theme at the Summer Davos Forum to be held in Tianjin from Monday is "sustainable growth" - it was "reviving growth" last year.

The shift in focus highlights the challenges the world is facing today, which may not be any less daunting than those faced during the devastating financial crisis years.

The world has stepped out of the downturn, as reflected in the improving indicators of major economies. Yet, in the post-crisis era, we still face growth uncertainties, especially in the wake of the European debt crisis earlier this year. In a broader sense, however, what we seek should not only be stable economic expansion, but a balanced and sustainable growth that entails protection of environment and rational use of resources.

Summer Davos 2010 in Tianjin Related readings:  Summer Davos 2010 in Tianjin  Sustainability makes business sense

During the forum, or the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2010, more than 500 global leaders are expected to participate in discussions centered on solutions to growth-related problems.

Even as they deliberate on how to improve the well being of the world's nearly 7-billion people, the leaders at the meeting, and those elsewhere, must reflect on the real meaning of growth.

Growth can help pull the masses out of grinding poverty and create new business opportunities, but it could be a double-edge sword. If poorly managed, it could lead to environmental disasters and resource abuse, as well as poverty as a result of unbalanced distribution, even though growth is actually supposed to eliminate poverty.

Across the world, the number of rivers contaminated is on the rise; the acreage under desert is increasing; resources are fast getting depleted; and many of the world's poor see little hope of getting out of poverty.

Unfortunately, there is little sign that these problems are being solved expeditiously. The world has been trapped in endless debate and bitter bickering over issues ranging from global financial regulation to climate change. What is lacking is concerted action.

The Summer Davos must become a forum to iron out differences and facilitate real action.