Shared Socioeconomic Pathways: Are We on The Path to the Furture We Want

Abstract

For SSP1 (Sustainability), the remarks from the participants were generally positive, with many commenting that it was a very ideal future. There were, however, a few persons who were not sold on the idea of SSP1. Chiefly, they were sceptical about how realistic it is, given the normal human tendencies. Stakeholders were unanimous in stating it would take a lot of effort to reach such a state. On disapproval, the few opposed to the SSP stated that it would take too much input to maintain such a future, rendering it unsustainable in the long term. SSSP3 (Regional Rivalry) had generally mixed responses. Some liked the idea of promotion of the local production while the others were not particularly impressed by the chaotic nature of a future under such an SSP. The consensus, however, was uniform on the fact that this SSP does not take care of the environment and so would eventually collapse. The stakeholders present admitted that there are elements of the SSP3 that can be seen in present-day life, like many mining sites around the country and the general lack of enforcement of laws and policies. There also was a unanimous agreement that elements of this SSP are already present in many cases.