"Intergenerational equity is a fundamental principle of sustainability. It is assumed that by taking a long term view of environmental planning we can provide the same environmental opportunities for our children and succeeding generations," Professor Dr. Geoffrey Syme (Joondalup/Australia) comments (in the scientific journal "Umweltpsychologie").
"This concept is widely supported by the public in very general terms but often there is resistance to specific policies that reallocate resources away from current users for future generations..."
The psychologist emphasizes: "To this point the discussion has focused on the present and the future but we have had many past generations. Have they provided current generations with intergenerational equity?
Therefore past time orientation can also be of significance to this discussion. It is clear in retrospect that the priorities for justice outcomes have changed over time. Social and economic needs have been the focus of earlier distribution of water. In recent years the environment has become recognised as a legitimate stakeholder and deserving of moral inclusion.
In evaluating the past it is often assumed that the recent past generations were mistaken and that we need to revert to an environment before injustices towards it were perpetrated. ´Nostalgic appeals to what we have lost can be one of the most potent rhetoric tools for green politics.´ Intergenerational justice for these people in ´psychology of loss´ terms presents a reverse intergenerational problem of returning to the condition of previous generations. Quality of community life and environmental condition are seen to be high then..."
Such an "moral nostalgia" is inappropriate, Syme states.
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