SEE ALSO Overview The overcrowded ark TALKING POINT Sustainable development - are we doing enough?  WEBLINKS Satish Kumar - Schumacher College The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Biggest environmental vice?
Flying - I like travelling and speaking. I wish there were boats and ships as alternatives.

Most recent major consumer purchase?
None. I haven't bought anything other than food or clothes for a long time.

What is most important about sustainable development?
Spirituality and a holistic world view is the foundation on which sustainable development can be built.

Is there a conflict between reducing poverty and protecting the planet?
No. The real problem is not poverty, it is affluence. This is the cause of unsustainability, environmental pollution and social injustice. We need to reduce affluence so there is enough for everybody’s need, but not for everybody’s greed. I am not saying that everybody should be equal, but the current gap between poor and rich is too big.

Consumption: how much is too much?
Affluence is based on the religion of materialism - the ruling religion of our time. We need to move away from consumerism, consumption and acquisition. The very notions of these reduce human beings to consumers and mean a lowering of the quality of life.

Sustainability has to be based in spirituality, which means using material resources with humility and reverence for life and for nature. There are enough resources for plenty of good food and shelter – and reasonable mobility. We go to far, far places for small needs. I think economies should be much more localised, so that many of our needs are met locally.

Technology: threat or saviour?

AUDIO "At Schumacher college students live like a community"

Human beings have almost become slaves to technology, rather than technology serving human beings. We should use technology in a way appropriate to enhance our relationships and work, rather than thinking that technology will do everything and that humans don’t need to do any work – work is essential for our fulfilment, satisfaction and creativity.

Inequality: an inevitable evil?
Inequality is not inevitable. It is because we have become materialistic and self-centred. We need to think about the interests of others. We depend on the earth and on human community - therefore if there is anybody poor, or starving, it should be a shame on those who are wealthy and powerful.

What should we do?