DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
‘Sustainable Development is the development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations
to meet their own needs’ – Brundtland 1987
NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
With industrialization and development, we end up
exploiting our resources. Thus, there is a need for Sustainable Development.
Environmental issues – Human beings have understood
the various processes and forces operating in the natural environment and use
these resources to benefit and satisfy needs and wants. However, man needs to
understand how this exploitation is affecting the environment.
Human capacity – to use environmental forces and
natural resources depends on scientific and technological development. It is
seen that the rate of exploitation of resources and the pollution created in
the process is higher in industrial economies as compared to underdeveloped
economies.
Cost of development – Although humankind enjoys the
fruit of development, the environment is degraded and polluted on account of
exploitation of resources. But development and human greed leads to an even
more rapid rate of exploitation of resources.
Resource exploitation – The reckless exploitation of
resources has led to wastage, over exploitation, depletion and degradation of
resources. This in turn makes resource exploitation unsustainable.
Resource consumption – Many resources like fossil
fuels and minerals are on or near the verge of exhaustion. Fossil fuels are
responsible for air pollution.
Although resources like forests, water, air are known
to have the capacity to regenerate, the rate at which they are exploited is
tremendous and these resources are also being depleted, for e.g. deforestation.
Future development processes need to be more rational
in their use of natural resources as well as adopting technologies that are
environmentally friendly. It is important to realize that sustainable future
lies in our hand and only if we alter our values, beliefs and behavior, can we
ensure proper sustainable development.
GOALS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The President’s Council for Sustainable Development
(USA) have put forth goals for sustainable development. Some of the goals are
as follows
Ensure every person the benefits of a healthy
environment.
Sustain a healthy economy that affords the opportunity
for a high quality of life
Ensure equity and opportunity for economic, social and
environmental well-being.
Protect and restore natural resources for current and
future generations
Encourage stewardship
Encourage people to work together to create healthy
communities
Create full opportunity for citizens, business, and
communities to participate in and influence the
natural resources,
environmental and economic decisions that affect them.
Move towards stabilization of the World Population.
Take lead in developing and carrying out sustainable
development policies globally.
Ensure access to formal education and lifelong
learning that will prepare citizens for meaningful work and a high quality of
life and give them an understanding of concepts involved in sustainable
development.
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