Defining post-Cold War Era in terms of sustainability
Context:
The end of the Cold War marked the end of a well defined era. There is consensus that the complex and varied events of the past years following the end of the Cold War, have made it difficult to specifically define what the post-Cold War era is and should be about. The clearest patterns to date are this sense of a lack of definition and direction, the occurrence of many small conflicts (nationalism, regionalism, and ethnocentrism), and yet more natural disasters (combination of past, present and accelerating destruction of the biosphere). Yet, there is also (a growing) concensus that these patterns do already indicate what the purpose and direction of the post-Cold War era could and should be about. Namely, that the/one of the central pillar(s) of the post-Cold War era ought to be based on a doctrine of global sustainability.
Claim:
Only global sustainability can ultimately provide global stability and prosperity. The sooner we (all) realize this, the sooner we can get there. The longer we delay, the sooner we can expect to meet our own demise and that of our planet. Baptizing the post-Cold War era "the Sustainable Era" gives meaning and focus to our often confusing times, permitting us to more effectively tackle our planet's ills.