Interview with M-r Gus Worth regarding “Sustainable Development”

August, 2010

 

M-r Gus Worth is a Vice Chairman of the non-governmental organization “Friends of the Earth”, teaches subjects related to Sustainable Development in the American University in Pravetz, Bulgaria, “City University of Seattle” and is one of the active people in Bulgaria regarding ecology.

 

 

M-r Worth, could tell a little bit more about you for our readers?

 

Of course, I was born in 1958 in Ireland. I have been graduated Master in “National University of Ireland”. At the moment I teach in “City University of Seattle”, Bulgaria, and prepare programs for studying “Sustainable Development” in “City University of Seattle” worldwide. Regarding my green initiatives I grow my own vegetables. Since 2000 I am a member in NGO “Friends of the Earth”, but since 2002 I am part from its Executive Committee as Vice Chairman. Besides I was part from a lot of sustainable development campaigns.

 

What is your attitude toward “Sustainable Development”?

 

This term is very difficult to be defined. On one side this means not to harm the humanity but from the other this means to preserve the whole nature.

 

How could we relate “Sustainable Development” to the business and could it be a competitive advantage?

 

This is very interesting subject which will become more popular. As we all know the business itself is for profit. I personally don’t have problems if the business stands up for initiatives related to “Sustainable Development” but only if there is no abuse. Unfortunately century after century our nature becomes from bad to worst but the big corporations, which pollute, do nothing. Regarding the competitive advantage my answer is – YES. The business could use the “Sustainable Development” as an advantage and it does but it should be very cautious. If we pay attention to the web - sites of some of the oil companies as “Schell” and “BP” we could notice that one of the things on which they emphasize is their “Environmental & Society” policy. These policies could be a strong marketing weapon if you know how to use it.

 

You mention BP. What is your point of view concerning the flood of oil in the Mexican Gulf?

 

Look, this was one very bad accident but unfortunately nobody is insured against such things. The most important for these corporations is to learn how to prevent such disasters before the accidents but not after them. I could assure you that the days of these companies are counted because we are going to invent and use renewable sources of energy in the future. As a resident of Republic Bulgaria I am very concerned for the new Nuclear Policy of the country. As we know there is a lot of work for the eradication of the corruption here and this could reflect on the safety standards which could be overestimated.

 

What initiatives do you know worldwide regarding sustainable policy?

 

Here we could mention NGOs such as “Greenpeace”, “WWF”, “Friends of the Earth” and many others. These organizations draw people on their side in case to learn the rest of the world how the preserve the humanity and the nature as a whole.

 

Could we, Bulgarians, accept this green policy?

 

Such initiatives could come only from the Government of the country. It should co - operate more actively with NGOs and stimulates recycling, set clear standards and monitor for their correct execution. For instance, in New York there are collectors which gather rain water. The past three months were very torrential for Sofia. This water could be collected and used for washing and improving the quality of live.

 

What are you doing to preserve the water?

 

I have big containers in my garden in which I gather rain water. Besides I have a good drainage and water supply system in my house. When I wash my teeth or shave I don’t leave the water to run. I just don’t waste water.

 

 

For end, how do you see our Planet after 10 years? After 100 years?

 

(Smiling) There is no man who could answer to this question. The problem is there that we don’t know what are going to happen. There is no prediction for the natural disasters. I can only say that we are going to change our way of life as the technologies change. We will live for a while and we are going to see what will happen.