From unsustainable to sustainable development

Development means growth in different sectors. It is a positive change that leads to a better world
and easier life. Development is different for different people. It can happen that a thing which
development for one person might not be the growth for another. It is possible that one’s development can
be another’s regression. Development is not always materialistic in nature. It can be of two types:
Sustainable development and Unsustainable development.
Unsustainable development is one in which we forget our responsibility towards the
environment. In unsustainable development, we degrade the available resources. Not thinking about the
needs of future generations is unsustainable development. Unsystematic planning can lead to damage to
natural as well as human-made resources. It can cause extreme degradation of the environment as well as
the living organism.

Causes of unsustainable development

We as a human society do a lot of things that are unsustainable. Our activities can cause
huge damage to the environment. By our irresponsible activities, we have ruined the natural
balance of the environment. Humans have built so many buildings, roads, and dams for a
luxurious lifestyle and our comfort. While building these apartments we neglected the needs of
animals. We gave our best to destroy their habitats. Not only animals, but we have also done
great harm to the flora of our environment. There are few root causes which has led to
unsustainable development. There is no order of organizing the most harmful one. These all
causes are equally responsible for the degradation of the environment.
 We extract a lot of material from the Lithosphere
The lithosphere is the outermost layer of the earth’s surface. We extract a lot of things from
this such as oil and natural gas. It would be okay if we would have used it for our basic needs.
But we focused more on extracting much more than what we need.  We extract heavy metals,
things that are rare in the biosphere and that we found in less quantity. This over-extraction has
reduced the presence of resources in the environment.
 We create a substance that accumulates in nature
Due to the increase of industrialization, we create a lot of chemical compounds. These take a
lot of years to break down in the environment. But we also create substances that already exist in
nature like, carbon-di-oxide. We create it in such a quantity that it accumulates and becomes
problematic.
 We physically damage nature’s ability to run natural cycle
By chopping trees at a faster rate than they can grow, we are ruining the environment’s
capacity to heal itself. For making houses, buildings, roads, and dams a lot of trees we cut a lot
of trees in a year. This also impacts the natural cycle and leads to global warming. Global
warming means the increase of greenhouse gases in the environment.
 We indirectly become the reason for increased pollution
If we are purchasing polythene bags and using them, we are indirectly contributing to the
growth of pollution. Industries are still producing polythene bags because it is in demand. If we
stop using them companies will no longer produce them.
 Increase in population
With the increase in population demand for people also increases. To meet these demands,
people extract resources from the environment. Thus, the resources decrease.

What is sustainable development?

 Sustainability is just another way of “The Good Life” as a combination of (a) a high level
of human well-being and (b) the high level of ecosystem well-being that supports it”. -
(Allen Presscott)

 “To improve the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of ecosystem”. -
(International Union for Conservation Union-1991)

 “Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” -(Brudtland
Commission-1987)
Living a good life and taking care of future generations is sustainable development. It
requires systematic planning and empathy towards nature. It does not say to live a very basic life
without satisfying your needs. It means to live a quality life within the capacity of the ecosystem.
It is a dynamic process. A responsible citizen always takes care of future generations and their
needs.

 Economic development
Economic development means poverty eradication from society. According to 2015 data, the
proportion of the world’s population with the income is $1/day. Government should provide at
least basic health services to all the people. Health is directly proportional to poverty. With the
increase in health problems poverty increases. Many people don’t get at least two meals a day.
Government should also provide at least basic food availability to the poor people. The problem
of clean drinking water is also rising. Enhancing industrial productivity is also very important for
economic development.
 Social Development
Every person of the nation needs to get an education for the growth of society. Women
should actively take part in social development. Education for all and good governance is equally
important for sustainable growth. 
 Environmental Protection
We should try to prevent environmental degradation at the regional, national and global
levels. We should keep a check on the human activities which are damaging the environment.
We should control deforestation and over-extraction of resources. Only a healthy environment
can be the wealthy ones.
Conclusion
God has given us a place to live, plants for meeting our medication, and food needs.
Animals make our environment beautiful. Minerals and energy resources help us to live a
comfortable life. If we will keep on overusing the resources, we might not enjoy the privilege of
taking birth on earth. Earth might change into a barren moon in the next few decades.

The sustainable development can be broadly classified into three different types:
1. Environmental sustainability (no long term damage to the environment):
It prevents nature from being used as an inexhaustible source of resources and ensures
its protection and rational use. Aspects such as environmental conservation, investment
in renewable energy, saving water, supporting sustainable mobility, and innovation in sustainable
construction and architecture, contribute to achieving environmental sustainability on several
fronts.
2. Economic sustainability (economy remains stable with equitable sharing of resources):
Focuses on equal economic growth that generates wealth for all, without harming the
environment. Investment and equal distribution of economic resources. Eradicating poverty in all
its forms and dimensions.
3. Sociopolitical sustainability (maintaining social harmony and political stability):
It can foster gender equality, development of people, communities and cultures to help
achieve a reasonable and fairly-distributed quality of life, healthcare and education across the
Globe.
 Urban problems related to energy

Urbanization is a process whereby populations move from rural to urban areas, enabling

cities and towns to grow. It can also be termed as a progressive increase in the number of people
living in towns and cities. It is highly influenced by the notion that cities and towns have
achieved better economic, political, and social mileages compared to rural areas.
Various Causes of Urbanization
 Industrialization
Industrialization is a trend representing a shift from the old agricultural economics to a
novel non-agricultural economy, which creates a modernized society. Through the industrial
revolution, more people have been attracted to move from rural to urban areas on account of
improved employment opportunities.
The industrialization has increased employment opportunities by giving people the
chance to work in modern sectors in job categories that aids to stir economic developments.
 Commercialization
Commerce and trade play a major role in urbanization. The distribution of goods and
services and commercial transactions in the modern era has developed modern marketing
institutions and exchange methods that have tremendously given rise to the growth of towns and
cities.
Commercialization and trade come with the general perception that the towns and cities
offer better commercial opportunities and returns compared to the rural areas.
 Social Benefits and Services
There are numerous social benefits attributed to life in cities and towns. Examples
include better educational facilities, better living standards, better sanitation and housing, better
health care, better recreation facilities, and better social life in general.
On this account, more and more people are prompted to migrate into cities and towns to
obtain a wide variety of social benefits and services which are unavailable in rural areas.
 Employment Opportunities
In cities and towns, there are ample job opportunities that continually draw people from
rural areas to seek a better livelihood.
Therefore, the majority of people frequently migrate into urban areas to access well-
paying jobs as urban areas have countless employment opportunities in all developmental sectors
such as public health, education, transport, sports and recreation, industries, and business
enterprises.
 Services and industries generate and increase higher value-added jobs, and this leads to
more employment opportunities.
 Modernization and Changes in the Mode of Living
Modernization plays a very important role in the process of urbanization. As urban areas
become more technology savvy together with highly sophisticated communication,
infrastructure, medical facilities, dressing code, enlightenment, liberalization, and other social
amenities availability, people believe they can lead a happy life in cities.
In urban areas, people also embrace changes in the modes of living namely residential
habits, attitudes, dressing, food, and beliefs. As a result, people migrate to cities and the cities
grow by absorbing the growing number of people day after day.
 Rural-urban Transformation
As localities become more fruitful and prosperous due to the discovery of minerals,
resource exploitation, or agricultural activities, cities start emerging as the rural areas transform
into urbanism. The increase in productivity leads to economic growth and higher value-added
employment opportunities.
This brings about the need to develop better infrastructure, better education institutions,
better health facilities, better transportation networks, the establishment of banking institutions,
better governance, and better housing.
As this takes place, rural communities start to adopt the urban culture and ultimately
become urban centers that continue to grow as more people move to such locations in search of a
better life.
Effects of Urbanization on Our Cities
 Positive Effects of Urbanization
Urbanization yields several positive effects if it happens within the appropriate limits.
Some of the positive implications of urbanization, therefore, include the creation of employment
opportunities, technological and infrastructural advancements, improved transportation and
communication, quality educational and medical facilities, and improved standards of living.
However, extensive urbanization mostly results in adverse effects. Below listed points are a few
of them.
 Housing Problems
Urbanization attracts people to cities and towns which leads to a high population
increase. With the increase in the number of people living in urban centers, there is a continued
scarcity of houses.
This is due to insufficient expansion space for housing and public utilities, poverty,
unemployment, and costly building materials which can only be afforded by a few individuals.
  Overcrowding
Overcrowding is a situation whereby a huge number of people live in a small space. This
form of congestion in urban areas is consistent because of overpopulation and it is an aspect that
increases day by day as more people and immigrants move into cities and towns in search of a
better life.
Most people from rural or undeveloped areas always have the urge of migrating into the
city that normally leads to congestion of people within a small area.
 Unemployment
The problem of joblessness is highest in urban areas and it is even higher among
educated people. It is estimated that more than half of unemployed youths around the globe live
in metropolitan cities.
And, as much as income in urban areas is high, the costs of living make the incomes
seem horribly low. The increasing relocation of people from rural or developing areas to urban
areas is the leading cause of urban unemployment.
 Water and Sanitation Problems
Because of overpopulation and rapid population increase in most urban centers, it is
common to find there are inadequate sewage facilities.
Municipalities and local governments are faced with serious resource crisis in the
management of sewage facilities. As a result, sanitation becomes poor and sewages flow
chaotically, and they are drained into neighboring streams, rivers, lakes, or seas.
Eventually, communicable diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, plague, and diarrhea
spread very fast leading to suffering and even deaths. Overcrowding also highly contributes
to water scarcity as supply falls short of demand.
 Traffic Congestion
When more people move to towns and cities, one of the major challenges posed is in the
transport system. More people mean an increased number of vehicles which leads to traffic
congestion and vehicular pollution.
Many people in urban areas drive to work and this creates a severe traffic problem,
especially during rush hours. Also, as the cities grow in dimension, people will move to shop and
access other social needs/wants which often cause traffic congestion and blockage.
Solutions to Urbanization
 Building Sustainable and Environmentally-friendly Cities
Governments should pass laws that plan and provide environmentally sound cities and smart
growth techniques, considering that people should not reside in unsafe and polluted areas.
The objective here is to build sustainable cities that embrace improved
environmental conditions and safe habitats for all urban populations.
Governments should also encourage sustainable use of urban resources and support an
economy based on the sustainable environments such as investment in green infrastructure,
sustainable industries, recycling and environmental campaigns, pollution
management, renewable energy, green public transportation, and water recycling and
reclamation.
 Provision of Essential Services
Urban stakeholders must ensure all populations within the urban areas have access to
adequate essential social services namely education, health, sanitation and clean water,
technology, electricity, and food.
The objective here is to provide and implement employment opportunities and wealth
creation activities so that people can earn a living to pay for the maintenance of the services.
Subsidies can also be availed by the government to lower the costs of basic healthcare, basic
education, energy, education, public transportation, communication systems and technology.
 Creation of More Jobs
To lessen the negative effects of rapid urbanization while at the same time conserving natural
ecosystems, private investments should be encouraged so as to utilize natural resources and
create more job opportunities.
Tourism promotion and the sustainable exploitation of natural resources can create more jobs
for urban populations. Subsidies and grants may as well be provided to foreign and private
investment in environmentally friendly development projects that encourage job creation.
 Population Control
Key stakeholders in urban areas must provide campaigns and counseling for effective
medical health clinics and family planning to help reduce the high rates of population growth.
Medical health clinics oriented towards family planning options must be made accessible
across the entire urban area with the objective of controlling diseases and population growth.
References
 https://greenstories.co.in/development/
 https://legalraj.com/articles-details/unsustainable-to-sustainable-development#:~:text=It
%20means%20living%20in%20harmony,to%20meet%20their%20own%20needs.
 https://snscourseware.org/snscenew/files/1584884101.pdf
 https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-effects-solutions-urbanization.php