The future we do not want

The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, or Rio+20, came to an end last week. The conference declaration, titled “The Future We Want”, is a weak and meaningless document. It aims at the lowest common denominator consensus to say nothing consequential about how the world will move ahead to deal with the interlinked crises of economy and ecology. The question arises: is this the future we want or the future we dread?

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

A model of Statue of Liberty installed by the protesters   Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

The people's summit took place in marquees, tents and canopies   Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

Demonstrations were held protesting degradation of ecosystems, including that of the Brazilian rainforests, and the growing influence of capitalism   Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio

Glimpses of Peoples' Summit at Rio

The Peoples' Summit at Flamengo Park in Rio was on while the official negotiations between governments were going on at Rio Centro. The peoples' event was organised by civil society groups, environmentalists, indigenous tribes and NGOs to push people's agenda for a sustainable future. The theme of this summit: "Come reinvent the world"   Photograph by: Chandra Bhushan See also: Action at Rio