The Definition Of Sustainable Development

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Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Background

It is well-known facts that people are living longer, this means that the world population is on the increase. It is estimated that that by 2100 the world population could reach 10 Billion people. The explosion in population is the main reason why sustainable development is necessary because as people increase more resources will be needed. In this paper the term sustainability is used interchangeably with sustainable development.
The people coming in the world are coming to a place that is so technologically advanced and the people are so dependent on it (technology). These technologies are built from the earth’s resources which are continuously being depleted every day.
Furthermore, the new population …show more content…

Technological advancements have led to degradation of the planet’s ecosystems. Without the essential services provided by these natural systems it may become impossible for the planet to sustain life.
In 1987 the Brundtland commission was set up with global agenda to champion change. The main purpose of the commission was that of furthering the common understanding and spirit which was very much needed in a divided world. (UNECE 2004 -2005) Following the Brundtland Commission some world economies have embraced the sustainable development and sustainability agenda.
There are a number of definitions of sustainability, however for most of them the underlying theme is that the quality of life must not decline over time. Some are interpreted in terms of availability of resources.
The commission defines sustainable development as “business practices that meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generation to meet its needs”. (WCED 1987:43) Some academicians have further argued that sustainability is not something to be defined but that it must be declared (Viedeman 1993). Others still contend that sustainable development has enabled the concepts to succeed politically where other concepts like that of limits of growth failed (Butte! et al. 1990, Bardwell

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