and Asia. Generally characterized by the use of English as
the official language, with the Protestant ethic and Anglo-
triumphalism prevailing. In a grouping: the United States,
Canada, Australia, New Zealand – cited in these pages as
the Anglo settler societies.Southern Nations The poorer ‘Third World’ nations comprising 70 per
cent of the world total population, arising generally
(Australasia excepted) in the ‘southern’ global sector. Also
known as developing nations, and sometimes as under-
developed nations. The per capita average annual
incomes of Southern Nations do not exceed US$1,500 –
but the harsh reality for over half the world population is
that per capita average annual income is less than US$300.subsidiarity The political process whereby decision-taking is devolved
to the lowest workable political level.sustainability A systemic people-controlled process combining conser-
vationwithdevelopment which sets out to meet consumer
needs at socially and environmentally acceptable costs,
and without degrading natural resource flows or de-
pleting resource capital. The central tenet is consensus for
a durable permanence. It is also held to be ‘trans-
generational’ – in short socially responsible, environmentally
harmonious, and economically equitable. Sustainability com-
bines with neomodernism to fashion a future unimpaired
by current practices. Distinction is made sometimes
between ‘weak’ (local) sustainability and ‘strong’ (plane-
tary) sustainability.Terra Psyche Appreciating the ownership and trusteeship of the earth
as an extension from the soul of an individual; the quali-
tative affinity which humanity has with the land. (See box
1.1.)think big projects Macro, politically inspired, well-intentioned but economi-
cally, socially and environmentally discordant projects.transpacific For this text specifically: Canada, the United States,
Australia, New Zealand.xvi Glossary