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The nature of sustainable development
The nature of sustainable development
The nature of sustainable development
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The Brundtland Commission's report defined sustainable development as "development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Yet, some journals proclaim the relationships between science, society and policy can advance consumer understanding of the definition and practice of sustainable development. Ironically, the essence of sustainable development is to deal with two concerns. One is the concern for maintaining, if not enhancing, the conditions for living. This includes meeting needs and aspirations, protecting the planet, providing a better quality of life and the list goes on. Another concern is for handing on an acceptable inheritance to future generations. This is expressed in terms as not compromising the future, bequeathing in good order, abstaining from burdening future generations.
In fact, we can further understand the concept of sustainable development by looking at three dimensions which are environmental, social and economy. Nowadays, environmental protection is one of the core values in sustainable development. Environmental degradation occurs when there is deterioration of the natural environment including the atmosphere, water, soil and forests. Shortage of food, clean water, materials for shelter and other essential resources are caused by these environmental problems. People, especially the poor who depend on natural resources that are gradually degrading like forests, land, air, and water will be affected the most as their supplies of food and other resources are damaged. Eradicating poverty by achieving an equitable and sustainable development without environment detriment becomes consumer issues in development.
Moreover, w...
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...pressure on natural resources by making more efficient use of them.
Economics of sustainability is mainly concerned with the quality of growth, rather than the quantity of growth. Analysts have made two important observations regarding the current growth models. The first is that as emerging economies continue to grow, most of the wealth is accumulated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals, leading to large inequality in society. The second is that economic growth increases well-being in society, but only to the extent to which it provides for the basic needs of people. Beyond that, growth makes hardly any marginal contribution to well-being, while having damaging impacts on the environment. Therefore, sustainable development definitely has to take into account economic dimensions that supporting ways for people to create wealth without harming the ecosystems.
are any better off if they are born than if they are not (quoted in Pojman
One pivotal point regarding the debate on environmental ethics and the course humans should take is regarding future generations. How do the actions we take today impact those who inherit this planet after us? Some people argue that we do not inherit this world from our parents, but rather borrow it from our future children. Regarding the text Sustainability and Responsibility to the Future, several different viewpoints are offered regarding both sides of the ethics of environmentalism.
Now known as 'the Brundtland definition' of sustainable development , the Brundtland Report was driven by
Sustainable prosperity is a very controversial topic. There are a lot of differing opinions about what it is or how it affects us. What is sustainable prosperity? Let’s break it down. Prosperity, it is the idea that all humans needs are met, and they are able to follow a life of happiness. Sustainability, means being able to continue something over generation after generation. We live in a globalizing world today, but to what extent does globalization contribute to sustainable prosperity? Globalization promotes sustainable prosperity, but at the same time it is holding it back. But over all it limits the prosperity of all people in many ways. Globalization affects the way we live, and it has negative affects that cause people to live miserable lives.
The aim of economic growth is to deliver prosperities. However, in Sustainable Development Commission Report, Professor Tim Jackson argues that, continuous and infinite growth in a physically finite word is impossible and the pursuit of it comes with great environmental and social costs. He then proposed redefining prosperity and alternative routs to achieve prosperity for all without the conventional rout of continuous economic growth.
In 2008 according to United Nations “majority of the world population lives in the urban” ("LINKING POPULATION, POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT"). That does not hide the fact that people are still suffering from poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The issue of poverty is rapidly increasing, and it is because of the economic instability cause by overexploitation. That is why many poor children have nothing to feed their growling stomachs and nourish their dry bones. In order for us to put a stop to poverty and fix the economy, we need to start taking good care of the environment by practicing environmental sustainability.
Redclift, M. (2005). Sustainable Development (1987-2005): An Oxymoron Comes of Age. Sustainable Development, 13(4), 212-227.
This illustrates that the inherent interdependence between the long-term stability of the environment and the economic sector is the basis for the study and practice of sustainable development. Factor that the leaders of all the spheres must have clear for the exercise of its functions having as focus the
In traditional opinions, environmental protection and economic growth are mutually contradictory. Economic growth is a high environmental cost, and protecting the environment will limit the economic growth. The reason of contradiction stems from the inappropriate understandings among development, economic growth and environmental protection. In fact, economic growth could have a harmonious relationship with environmental protection.
Quite often, these two sides appear to face each other with opposing prescriptions for future world development. The former argues for environmental protection and creation of a stable ecosystem; the latter supports jobs and increased development of Third World countries. Yet this false dichotomy between jobs and the environment need not exist. The key is promotion of worldwide sustainable development, or development that “meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations,” as defined by the Worl...
According to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. If we follow this definition, it becomes easy to see that the vast majority of the “developed” world has not, and is not developing sustainably. The idea of sustainable development requires us to consider how our action of developing will affect other countries, and future generations. Many people believe in “the butterfly effect”, where the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in one part of t...
Sustainable development refers to not only meet the needs of contemporary people, but also not compromising the ability of future generations to meet development needs.Sustainable development and environmental protection have established contact, not the same. Environmental protection is an important aspect of sustainable development. The core of sustainable development is development, but requires strict control of the population, improve population quality and protect the environment for the conduct of economic and social development under the premise of sustainable use of resources.
Humans have become a threat to our own way of life by consuming more resources than needed, blind to the consequences that we may face in the future. As of 2016 the world population is at 7.4 billion and it is estimated to be at 11.2 billion by the year 2100. However 10 billion is the maximum population that can be sustained in terms of food security, only one of the many factors to global sustainability. Due to the fact that human consumption exceeds the amount of resources available, the United Nations “recognizes that eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge” in A/RES/70/1. Sustainable development is not only required to fulfill the necessities of the present but to guarantee the capability for future generations to satisfy theirs.
In class we discussed what sustainable development meant to us; each group had its own definition. Our group’s definition was that sustainable development is for the long term for future generations, for the basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and job. The basic will increase over time and our resources will diminish, which why sustainable development is important. Sustainable development is important for future generations so that they end up with a world better than ours. Sustainable development is achievable if society works together to meet everyone’s basic needs and create a better world.
Sustainability simply defined to me as balancing act between the development of sustainability is necessary for both planet Earth and humans to survive. This is reinforced in the World Commission on Environment and Development report (1987) that sustainable development must meet the needs of the present without compromising the well-being of future generations”. The Earth Charter Organization widened the idea of sustainability to respect for a culture of peace, universal human rights, nature, and economic justice (What is sustainability?, n.d.).