Sustainable Development

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  • Bruntland Report (1983) was the first publication and recognition of the term ‘Sustainable Development’
    • “meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generation”
  • Three pillars of sustainable development (Bruntland)
    • Care and respect for People, Planet and Prosperity (Commercial Activities) <hence POVERTY alleviation, conservation and business development>
    • These three pillars are of equal importance
  • SD is about a value system. It is not a scientific formula.
  • Thinking beyond pure self-gratification to awareness that harm to one will eventually be harm to all.
  • Interconnectedness and interdependence of all things
  • All three pillars have equal importance. Focus on only one of them will unbalance the whole
  • SD is a necessity, not a luxury that we can afford to miss.

Questioning Development <too detailed; at times peripheral. Be choosy>

  • Current practices must change
  • Should shatter the ‘development’ myth. Simply economic Growth will not create more jobs and more wealth for all.
  • Steady-state economics. Economic growth is measured in terms of how much we produce and consume, and what we destroy in the process need not be included in the calculations.
  • 20% of the world consumes 80% of its Resources
  • According to UNDP, consumption of goods and Services in 1997 was twice that in 1975 and six times more than in 1950.
  • An estimated 1 billion people still do not have the means to meet their basic needs.
  • Inequalities are increasing. The assets of world’s three richest men are greater than the combined national product of 48 poorest countries.
  • Higher crime rates are associated with wider income gaps
  • Jobless growth.
  • Under-Nutrition is still a huge problem among children

Economic Growth and Sustainability

  • Over-consumption has led to depletion of resources
  • Main environmental threats
    • Depletion of resources
    • Global Warming
    • Expansion of waste arising from production and consumption
    • Population pressure
    • Pollution
    • Loss of Biodiversity-2/”>Biodiversity and extinction of species.
  • Green NATIONAL INCOME Account
    • Conventional National Income Accounting does not capture the Environmental Degradation due to production and consumption
    • This omission leads to misrepresentation of improvements in social welfare
    • Since there is no market for many environmental resources, it is difficult to place monetary values on them
    • Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare: adjusts the national income to make an allowance for defensive spending (i.e. that incurred in cleaning up for pollution and other forms of environmental damage)
  • Economic Sustainability
    • Calls for reforms in the manner that we conduct our economic activity
    • Removing unfair trade barriers and subsidies that harm the Environment
    • Upholding the polluter pays principle
    • Tax not on labour but on consumption <already there in the form of indirect taxes>
    • Pricing products in terms of value they have deducted from the common natural base
    • Increase resource productivity
  • Sustainable agriculture
    • Use of practices and methods to maintain/enhance the economic viability of agricultural production, natural resource base, and other Ecosystems which are influenced by agricultural activities
    • Minimizing the adverse impact on the Natural Resources base
    • Flexible Farming Systems to manage the risks associated with Climate and markets

Ecological Sustainability

  • Sustainable forest management
    • ‘Forest Principle’ adopted at the 1992 Rio Summit
    • In 2007, GA adopted the Non Legally Binding Instrument on All Types of Forests. The instrument is the first of its kind and is committed to promote SFM by bringing all stakeholders together
    • Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forests in Europe defined SFM as the attainment of balance between Society’s increasing demands for forest products and benefits, and the preservation of forest Health and diversity.
    • Forest managers must assess and integrate a wide array of sometimes conflicting factors to produce Sound forest plans
    • Ecosystems approach has been adopted by the CBD. The CBD definition of Ecosystems Approach is known as the Malawi Principles.
    • Ecosystems Approach is a strategy of management of land, water and living resources in a way that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. Focused on use of scientific methodologies for each level of biological organisation and their interaction.
    • SFM was recognised by the parties to CBD in 2004 to be a concrete means of applying the Ecosystems Approach to forest ecosystems
  • Objectives of SFM
    • Maintain environmental stability through preservation of ecological balance that has been adversely affected due to the depletion of forest cover
    • Preserve the natural heritage of the country
    • Improve productivity of forests
    • Protecting through cooperation with local communities on the principle of Joint Forest Management
  • India
    • One of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of the world
    • National Forest Policy 1988 emphasizes environmental stability and maintenance of ecological balance
    • Existing Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE for forest protection is inadequate
    • Surveys not carried out in many areas. Question of tribal rights
    • Protect from forest fires
  • Integrated Forest Protection Scheme
    • 10th FYP. In all States and UTs
    • Formed by merger of two 9th FYP schemes: ‘Forest Fire Control and Management’ and ‘Bridging of Infrastructure Gaps in the Forestry Sector in the North Eastern Region and Sikkim’
    • Components
      • Infrastructure Development: survey and demarcation, strengthening the infrastructure for Forest Protection Division
      • Forest fire control and management
    • Implementing agencies
      • Central Component: Forest Protection Division, MoEF; Forest Survey of India, Dehradun; Central institutions like Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (Dehradun), IIFM (Bhopal) etc shall be involved
      • State Component: Forest dept of the concerned state/UT

Social Sustainability

  • Fairness in the access to and benefits from the Earth’s resources
  • Impact of Poverty on environment/Environment and poverty are related issues
  • Diverting resources to non-productive areas
  • Health and SD
    • Environment and public health are inter-related
  • Agenda 21 was adopted at the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) [Earth Summit] in 1992
    • It also places particular emphasis on the need to take health considerations into account in planning for SD
  • Urbanisation
  • Need for holistic approach

Water and SD

  • Agriculture consumes nearly 70 pc of water consumption worldwide, Industry -22 pc and household activities – 8 pc [WDR, 2010]
  • Geographical distribution of water: just nine countries account for 60 pc of all available freshwater supplies
  • Industrial use takes about 60 pc of water in rich countries and 10 pc in the rest.
  • Suggestions
    • Use of sea water
    • Judicial use of freshwater
    • Development of salt-resistant crops

SD in a globalising world

  • Globalisation is increasing the gap between the rich and the poor
  • It has to be steered so that it serves not only the commercial interests but social needs of development
  • Mechanisms to safeguard trade and livelihoods, especially in developing countries, must be evolved and negotiated to make globalisation an effective vehicle of SD
  • Industrialised countries must continue to assist the developing countries as well as promote trade
  • Environment and social causes must not be used selectively to erect trade barriers against developing countries

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Sustainable development is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of issues, from Climate Change to poverty reduction. It is the idea that we can meet our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. These goals are designed to guide the world towards a more sustainable future. The SDGs are:

  1. No poverty
  2. Zero hunger
  3. Good health and well-being
  4. Quality education
  5. Equality/”>Gender Equality
  6. Clean water and sanitation
  7. Affordable and clean energy
  8. Decent work and economic growth
  9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  10. Reduced inequalities
  11. Sustainable cities and communities
  12. Responsible consumption and production
  13. Climate action
  14. Life below water
  15. Life on land
  16. Peace, Justice and strong institutions
  17. Partnerships for the goals

Sustainable development is important because it is essential for the future of our planet. If we do not take steps to live more sustainably, we will face serious problems such as climate change, poverty, and inequality.

There are many things that we can do to live more sustainably. We can reduce our consumption of resources, such as energy and water. We can also recycle and compost to reduce waste. We can support businesses that are committed to sustainability. And we can get involved in our communities to promote sustainable development.

Sustainable development is a complex issue, but it is one that we must address if we want to create a better future for ourselves and for future generations.

Here are some specific examples of how we can live more sustainably:

  • We can reduce our energy consumption by turning off lights when we leave a room, unplugging appliances when we’re not using them, and using energy-efficient appliances.
  • We can reduce our water consumption by taking shorter showers, fixing any leaks in our homes, and watering our lawns less often.
  • We can recycle and compost to reduce waste.
  • We can support businesses that are committed to sustainability by buying their products and services.
  • We can get involved in our communities to promote sustainable development by volunteering for environmental organizations, attending city council meetings, and writing to our elected officials.

Sustainable development is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play in creating a more sustainable future. By making small changes in our own lives, we can make a big difference.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the topics of climate change, RENEWABLE ENERGY, and Energy Efficiency:

Climate change

  • What is climate change? Climate change is the long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place. Climate change could refer to a particular location or the planet as a whole. Climate change may cause weather patterns to be less predictable. A region might experience lower or higher than Average temperatures. Climate change may cause more frequent and severe weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts.
  • What causes climate change? Human activities are the main cause of climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, releases greenhouse gases into the Atmosphere. Greenhouse gases trap heat, which warms the planet. Other human activities that contribute to climate change include deforestation, agriculture and industrial processes.
  • What are the effects of climate change? Climate change is already having a significant impact on the planet. The average global temperature has increased by about 1 degree Celsius since the late 19th century. This warming is causing sea levels to rise, Glaciers to melt and extreme weather events to become more common. Climate change is also having a negative impact on human health, agriculture and ecosystems.
  • What can we do to prevent climate change? We can prevent climate change by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and switching to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. We can also reduce our energy consumption by making our homes and businesses more energy-efficient. We can also plant trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Renewable energy

  • What is renewable energy? Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. Examples of renewable energy include Solar Energy, Wind Energy, hydropower, Geothermal Energy and Biomass/”>Biomass energy.
  • What are the benefits of renewable energy? Renewable energy has many benefits. It is clean and does not produce greenhouse gases. It is also abundant and can be used to generate electricity, heat and power vehicles. Renewable energy can also help to create jobs and boost the economy.
  • What are the challenges of renewable energy? Renewable energy also has some challenges. It can be intermittent, meaning that it is not always available. It can also be more expensive than fossil fuels. However, the cost of renewable energy is decreasing as technology improves.

Energy efficiency

  • What is energy efficiency? Energy efficiency is the use of less energy to provide the same level of service. Energy efficiency can be achieved through a variety of measures, such as using energy-efficient appliances, improving insulation and using public transportation.
  • What are the benefits of energy efficiency? Energy efficiency has many benefits. It can save Money on energy bills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Energy efficiency can also help to create jobs and boost the economy.
  • What are the challenges of energy efficiency? Energy efficiency also has some challenges. It can be difficult to change people’s habits and behavior. It can also be expensive to make energy-efficient improvements to homes and businesses. However, the cost of energy efficiency is decreasing as technology improves.

  1. Which of the following is not a goal of sustainable development?
    (A) Economic growth
    (B) Social development
    (C) Environmental protection
    (D) Population control

  2. Which of the following is a principle of sustainable development?
    (A) Equity
    (B) Efficiency
    (C) Participation
    (D) All of the above

  3. Which of the following is a challenge to sustainable development?
    (A) Climate change
    (B) Poverty
    (C) Inequality
    (D) All of the above

  4. Which of the following is an example of a sustainable development practice?
    (A) Using renewable energy sources
    (B) Recycling
    (C) Reducing consumption
    (D) All of the above

  5. Which of the following is an example of a non-sustainable development practice?
    (A) Burning fossil fuels
    (B) Deforestation
    (C) Overfishing
    (D) All of the above

  6. Which of the following is the most important thing that individuals can do to promote sustainable development?
    (A) Reduce their consumption
    (B) Recycle
    (C) Use renewable energy sources
    (D) All of the above

  7. Which of the following is the most important thing that governments can do to promote sustainable development?
    (A) Invest in renewable energy sources
    (B) Regulate pollution
    (C) Provide incentives for sustainable practices
    (D) All of the above

  8. Which of the following is the most important thing that businesses can do to promote sustainable development?
    (A) Reduce their environmental impact
    (B) Invest in renewable energy sources
    (C) Ethically source their products
    (D) All of the above

  9. Which of the following is the most important thing that organizations can do to promote sustainable development?
    (A) Reduce their environmental impact
    (B) Invest in renewable energy sources
    (C) Ethically source their products
    (D) All of the above

  10. Which of the following is the most important thing that individuals, governments, businesses, and organizations can do to promote sustainable development?
    (A) Reduce their consumption
    (B) Recycle
    (C) Use renewable energy sources
    (D) All of the above

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