The article discusses the intergenerational social contract, emphasizing the moral duty of adults to invest in education, environmental sustainability, and public lands for future generations. It recounts the author's experiences as a school board member, witnessing community concerns about rising taxes while advocating for necessary investments in schools. The concept extends to environmental stewardship, where Indigenous practices inform long-term management of natural resources. U.S. land-management agencies are mandated to consider the benefits to present and future generations, highlighting the importance of fostering a responsible legacy.
As a young mom, I felt compelled to speak on behalf of the intergenerational social contract: the idea that when we were in school, we benefited from the investment of the generations before us.
The intergenerational social contract isn’t about entitlement. It’s about intergenerational caretaking, the obligation to pass on a world of hope to future generations.
Traditional ecological knowledge from Indigenous communities shows how to manage land with a long-term perspective, respecting future inhabitants of Earth.
Land-management agencies in the U.S. have a legal responsibility to manage lands and resources with the future in mind, benefitting present and future generations.
#education #intergenerational-contract #environmental-stewardship #public-policy #community-responsibility
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