Eco or enviro, that is the question

Sustainability has many faces, many definitions we all know
But can one rank higher; above or below?
Our desire for economic sustainability has become a complication
It now outweighs the environment and our attempts at conservation.

To grow and to nurture we are taught from knee-high
Just as we learn good from bad and who not to defy.
We grow our industry and nurture our business
Being taught that hard work will one day turn into richness.

Lots of buildings and lots of money is the name of success
How many cars do you own? And who designed that dress?
This object of our affections is dangerous and sly
It hides and it lurks in wait of that guy.

That guy who loves meetings and expanded production lines
That guy who loves exchange rates and his fancy office chair that reclines.
His aim is to be king of all the business-lands
He'll open-cast mine, then wash clean his hands.

Our business and our industry; this commerce world grows
High rises and skyscrapers and cities overflow.
This aspiration for success harbours desired fortune and fame
Meanwhile environmental sustainability is played like some sort of game.

Trees eat carbon, the environmental blockade, so surely Amazonian deforestation should be delayed?
There's no more land for their cattle farming, their main means of income
How do we expect them to stop tree-cutting when in doing so they fall victim?

Before we lay blame, at the circumstances we must look
Who are we to pass judgment on these environmental crooks?
This crossroads of a problem is broader than just our shores
But in looking closer to home, we too are part of the cause.

New Zealand may be clean and green, but only to an extent
Mainly to keep our reputation and maximise tourist dollars spent.
Little old New Zealand, have we really come to this?
Only saving the environment for economic bliss?

Business is important; it helps the world go round
But the world won't be round-going if climate change solutions are not found.
Between a rock and a hard place we've found ourselves caught
Eco or enviro? A no-brainer you would have thought.

Sustainability has many faces, many definitions we all know
But in today's society, does one rank higher; above or below?
Our desire for economic sustainability has put us in quite a fix
Does it really outweigh the need for environmental sustenance?

Marissa Oien, Year 13, Kaitaia College