You are on page 1of 11

International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848

p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

Sustainable Development-A perspective


Ummar Ahad1
1
parray.umar@gmail.com
Govt. College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar.

Abstract: Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development
is the economic development of a region which is conducted without diminishing the natural
resources. One reason to do this is so that these natural resources can be preserved, as they are
soon depleting and there can be time when there will be no resources for the future generations.
The other reason could be that these resources affect the environment in one way or the other, by
causing pollution and encourages the global warming effect. This is why the need for sustainable
development has to be realized, where these resources can be replaced by much environment
friendly ones. It is the need to ensure a better quality of life for all, now and into the future, in an
equitable manner, whilst living within the limits of supporting ecosystems. Sustainable development is not
just about the environment although living within our environmental limits is one of the central principles
of sustainable development. The main focus of sustainable development is far broader than just the
environment. It's also about ensuring a strong and healthy society. This means meeting the
diverse needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting social cohesion and
inclusion, and creating equal opportunity.
Key words: Sustainable development, Green energy, Resources, Pollution, Equity.
INTRODUCTION programs and implementation at the
Sustainable development today is the most international, national or individual levels. It
canvassed slogan of international gained importance in the 1960s when people
developmental conferences and programs. It became aware of the disadvantageous
is a multifaceted concept and its explanation effects of industrialization on the
and understanding is often content and environment. We need to understand the
context specific. It was actually the concern context in which it came about to appreciate
about depleting natural resources and a why it has become so important to all of us.
subsequent slowing or even closing down of we must also recognize that sustainability
much of the economic activities and offers long term planning for productive
production systems which gave birth to the techniques, industrial processes and
concept of sustainable development. It is the equitable distribution policies for the
result of ravenous misuse and overuse of judicious exploitation of resources, such as,
earth‟s precious and limited resource base to name a few, coal, oil, soil, forests and
by those few who had a control over water. This paradigm shift ensures their
production systems. This concept has longer life span and an extensive user base
emerged as an extensive agenda to debate so that the maximum number of people may
and decide on desirable course of action in benefit out of it for the longest possible time
social and economic systems, policies, frame. The idea of sustainability also makes

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3174


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

pathway for the indispensability of emerged for the grassroots governance


technological revolution towards energy which fuels growth by providing land, water
saving devices, alternate and non- and forests that constitute the three basic
conventional methods for providing comfort inputs to any form of progress. Thus,
to citizens without bringing down their sustainable development is also indicative of
quality of life. This has revolutionized the „planning stepwise‟ in contrast to the
way people and governments have started concept of „planning whole‟ in which basic
thinking and designing their developmental ecosystems were driven by technological
programs and projects. A new aspect has transformed systems.

ORIGINS OF SUSTAINABLE between human population, resource


DEVELOPMENT exploitation, and the environment. In 1969,
The origins of the concept of sustainable a non-profit organization Friends of the
development dates back to the 1960s when, Earth was formed which was dedicated to
the American marine biologist Rachel protecting the environment from degradation
Carson published her book “The Silent and empowering citizens to have a voice in
Spring” (1962). This book drew public decision-making. The governments of the
attention to the destruction of environment Northern countries began to recognize that
by the use of synthetic pesticides. This work the process of unchecked industrial
was a turning point in the understanding of development was damaging the environment
the interlinkages among the environment, to the extent out of the human reach. For
the economy and social well-being. example, the Swedish government had been
Gradually, during this period, the fear of concerned about the damage caused to their
global environmental breakdown began to lakes by acid rain. This rain was a result of
emerge. Soon after, the animal population excessive pollution caused by the
biologist Paul Ehrlich published the book neighboring industrialized states. In 1971,
Population Bomb (1968) on the connection the OECD council enacted a Polluter Pays

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3175


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

principle where it said that those (countries) Development (UNCED) in 1992 at Rio de
causing pollution should pay the costs. The Janeiro, the term extended into a full
report, Limits to Growth (1972), published concept of development stressing upon the
by a group of young scientists (Club of collaboration of government and non-
Rome) from Massachusetts Institute of governmental organizations (NGOs),
Technology , immediately took the world by industrialists, scientists, community groups
storm gaining massive media coverage. It and regional organizations. It became one of
predicted dire consequences if growth was the most important interdisciplinary
not slowed down. concepts that sneaked through studies on
The United Nations Conference on Human environment, economics, sociology, political
Environment (UNCHE) was organized in science, life sciences and gender. By 2000,
Stockholm (1972). For the first time, the the concept of sustainable development
idea that the environment was a critical became firmly settled as a guiding document
development issue was placed on the in all international organizations. Since then
international agenda. It led to the the UN member states have been publishing
establishment of United Nations reports on the national status of sustainable
Environment Programme (UNEP). The first development programmes and strategies and
director of UNEP, Maurice Strong coined submitting them to the specially created UN
the term „eco development‟ which integrated body called UN Commission for Sustainable
development with environment protection. Development (UNCSD). The term is
Since then, many milestones have marked modified for different user groups as
the journey towards sustainable „sustainable human development‟,
development. The concept of „Sustainable „sustainable economic growth‟, „sustainable
Society‟ emerged at a study conference on socio-economic development‟ and
Science and Technology for Human „sustainable local governance‟ and very
Development, convened by the World recently in 2004 „Information
Council of Churches (1974). Interestingly, Communication Technology‟ (ICT) for
the concept did not deal with environmental sustainable development.
conditions but started with the principle of
equitable distribution, which subsequently DEFINING SUSTAINABLE
became the cornerstone of the Brundtland DEVELOPMENT
Report in 1987. „Sustainable Society‟ also Sustainable development was defined in the
involved the concept of democratic World Conservation Strategy report as „the
participation, which became important integration of conservation and development
nearly twenty years later at the Rio Earth to ensure that modifications to the planet do
Summit (1992). Yet another term, indeed secure the survival and well-being of
“Sustainable Development”, emerged in the all people‟. Development was defined as
World Conservation Strategy (WCS) (1980) „the modification of the biosphere and the
published by the International Union of application of human, financial, living and
Conservation of Nature and Natural non-living resources to satisfy human needs
Resources (IUCN) by two scholars, Eva and improve the quality of human life‟.
Balfour, first president of soil Association Development could prove to be a threat
and Wek. Jackson, a geneticist from the unless resources were conserved and so
International Institute for Environment and conservation of resources was defined in the
Development (IIED). During the UN report as „the management of human use of
Conference on Environment and the biosphere so that it may yield the

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3176


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

greatest sustainable benefit to present support system air, water, food and a
generations while maintaining the potential suitable climate for survival. It has also
to meet the needs and aspirations of future provided the physical resources that are
generation‟. This phrase attracted attention necessary for the sustenance of economies.
in the Brundtland Report. Nature has supported and maintained life on
The Brundtland Report: In 1983, the United earth since times immemorial and should
Nations General Assembly set up the World continue to do so in the future without
Commission on Environment and making any excuses to the generation to
Development (WCED) with the Norwegian come. This is known as the sustainability of
Prime Minister Mrs Gro Harlem Brundtland nature or ecosystems or environment.
as the Chairperson. The Commission‟s However, humans have been meddling with
report was published as Our Common the sustainability of the natural systems
Future (1987). The definition of sustainable through their covetous activities. And it is a
development given in this report contains well-known fact that continued trespassing
within itself two key concepts: on the same pace, not only the other life
1. The concept of „needs‟, in particular, the forms but also the very existence of
essential needs of the world‟s poor, to which mankind will perish of which the trailers
priority should be given. have been experienced already by the
2. The idea of limitations imposed by the different civilizations and societies. There
state of technology and social organizations are limits to everything like that of nature‟s
on the environment‟s ability to meet present capacity to bear the brunt of invasion over it
and future needs. The report emphasized by the humans. Once alteration of nature‟s
that sustainable development is a matter of initial state occurs, it cannot quickly revert
social equity within a generation (intra- back to the original state. Nature has a
generational) and between generations limited capacity to withstand rapid change.
(inter-generational). The Commission Thus, today, the challenge before mankind is
stressed the importance of integration of to determine the state in which we wish to
environmental decisions into central live and to continue living within the limits
economic decision-making. It argued that a inherent in nature‟s processes, within
healthy environment was not possible in a nature‟s carrying capacity. And that is surely
world marked by extreme poverty which for humans themselves.
forced people to practice environmentally
destructive activities for short term survival. Sustainability
Therefore it broadly stressed on economic The term „Sustainability‟ has been defined
growth. The Brundtland Report was widely variedly, such as: (1).Sustainability refers to
accepted as it was released at a time when a a process or state that can be maintained
large ozone hole was discovered over indefinitely, (2). Natural resources must be
Antarctica (1985) and the Chernobyl nuclear used in ways that do not create ecological
accident occurred in 1986 near Pripyat in debts by overexploiting the carrying and
what was then part of USSR, which spread productive capacity of the earth, (3).A
radioactive nuclear fallout across Ukraine. minimum necessary condition for
CONCEPTS OF SUSTAINABILITY, sustainability is the maintenance of the total
DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE natural capital stock at or above the current
DEVELOPMENT level.
Nature has itself pre-facilitated human The term „Sustainability‟ is also used to
societies and civilizations with basic life establish the temporal and the livelihood

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3177


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

context of development strategies. The and what is not, it should be a universally


temporal context refers to the chronological acceptable aim of development to make for
standpoint in which communities maintain conditions that lead to a realization of the
their cultural and economic integrity. The potentials of humans.
livelihood context of development strategies
is the preservation of existing values which Sustainable development
are under threat from external economic The concept of Sustainable development
forces leading to the collapse of a delicate was envisaged to bring ideas
natural resource balance. The Strategy for environmentalists into the central theme of
Sustainable Living (1991) by International economic development strategic framework.
Union of Conservation of Nature and Sustainable development combines the two
Natural Resources (IUCN) says that terms of „sustainability‟ and „development‟
„sustainable use means use of an organism, to indicate a pattern of growth, which
ecosystem, or other renewable resource at a strengthens both the national capabilities to
rate within its capacity for renewal‟. The care for their people in relation to their total
economist Herman Daly has offered relationship with the resources of the earth.
specifications for maintaining sustainability. The most widely used definition of
He is of the opinion that: Sustainable Development was given by the
 Rates of use of renewable resources Brundtland Commission in its report Our
should not exceed regeneration rates. Common Future (1987). It defined
 Rates of use of non-renewable Sustainable development as „development,
resources should not exceed rates of which meets the needs of the present
development of renewable without compromising the ability of future
substitutes. generations to meet their own needs‟. Since
 Rates of pollution emission should then, several interpretations of Sustainable
not exceed assimilative capacities of Development have emerged, for instance:
the environment. · Improving the quality of human life while
Development living within the carrying capacity of
The term „Development‟ means the social, supporting ecosystems.
political, cultural and economic · Economic growth that provides equality
improvement in a broad sense. It is intended and opportunity for all the people, not just
to create opportunities, prosperity and the privileged ones, without further
choices for all inhabitants of the world and it destroying the world‟s finite natural
must ensue in a way that guarantees choices resources and carrying capacity.
for future generations too. It refers to a · Sustainable development comprises of
holistic growth of the human and natural economic and social development that
environment towards self-sufficiency and protect and enhance the natural environment
synchronized relation. It indicates a growth and social equity.
pattern, which makes nations more decisive Thus, sustainable development focuses upon
in their internal and external environment. It a interdependence between humans and their
leads the citizens of a region to more environment and indicates a warning that
comforts. Development is actually the better humans cannot push development, which is
of what you had yesterday. Dudley seers against nature as in the end it is always the
while elaborating on the meaning of nature, which is going to win. Sustainable
development suggests that while there can development craves for the goal of
be value judgments on what development is conservation and preservation of natural

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3178


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

resources and of the environment and the transportation.


management of energy, waste and

Sustainable development is development These objectives are a charter for rescuing


based on patterns of production and one‟s economy from the holds of
consumption that can be pursued into the exploitative outlook, which has depraved
future without the lessening the human nations and defied their immense wealth.
needs and degrading natural environment. It These objectives are:
involves the fair distribution of the benefits 1. To maintain the standards of living of the
of economic activity across all sections of largest number of people with equity and
society, to enhance the wellbeing of humans, justice. The consideration of Trans-
protect health and alleviate poverty. If boundary and collective impressions in
sustainable development is to be successful, decision-making has to be realized.
the attitudes of individuals as well as 2. To conserve and protect earth‟s natural
governing agencies with regard to our resources from misuse and inefficient
current lifestyles and the impact they have consumption. This demands respect for the
on the environment will need to be changed. land and its diversity as the foundation for
Sustainable development is not something healthy communities.
where we can achieve prosperity without 3. To embrace, innovate and implement new
engaging all the factors together. None of technology and scientific techniques, which
the factors can be overruled as each has its work in unanimity with laws of nature and
part to play. It is an equity based concept, are not opposed to it. There needs to be a
where deception will lead to disaster. consideration of sharing the risks and
benefits from developmental policies
undertaken by different nations.
Objectives of sustainable development 4. To endorse diversity and involve local
Sustainable development has some clear and and indigenous communities for a more
broad based objectives, which go beyond grassroots oriented and relevant
class, caste, language and regional barriers. developmental policies. This would involve

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3179


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

consideration of economic viability, cultural further gains on an ever widening front. The
and environmental values, as policies and abundance and variety of innovations may
programmes are developed. be included under three principles:
5. To decentralize governance institutions 1. The substitution of machines - rapid,
and make them transparent and accountable regular, precise, tireless- for human skill and
to common people. They should have an effort.
open, inclusive and participative decision- 2. The substitution of inanimate for animate
making. sources of power, in particular, the
6. To plan international institutions, which introduction of engines for converting heat
recognize the requirements of poor nations into work, thereby opening to man a new
and support them to achieve their growth and abundant supply of energy.
targets without destroying their natural 3. The use of new and far more abundant
wealth and environment. raw materials, in particular, the substitution
7. To seek peaceful coexistence of all of mineral for vegetable or animal
nations of the world because only peace can substances.
allow them space to innovate for the larger
interests of humanity. This may demand There were resentments to this worldwide
honoring of treaties and fiduciary phenomenon throughout the globe but other
obligations and international agreements. adjacent nations endorsed the same process
Sustainable development is a value-based soon thereafter, followed by others during
concept, which appeals to the universal the 19th century and others (such as Russia
themes of mutual coexistence and respect and Japan) in the first half of the 20th
for others. Interdependence is the key century. The Industrial Revolution was not
component and one cannot rule out any one merely a sequence of changes in industrial
from the whole process. It is a constantly techniques and production of goods and
progressing phenomenon bringing together commodities, but a social revolution with
cultural, social, economic, environmental social causes as well as profound social
and political concerns. It is a preplanned effects bringing in great social
effort of change and provides a framework transformation. The Industrial Revolution
to decide developmental actions by nations, implied that man now had not only the
communities and individuals. opportunity and the knowledge but also the
Industrialization physical means to completely pacify nature.
The Industrial Revolution began in England Because until 18th century the nature had an
sometime after the middle of the 18th upper hand. The philosophy of determinism
century and transformed Great Britain from was quite prevalent. Human beings hardly
a largely rural population making a living intruded with the natural settings. But, while
almost entirely from agriculture to an urban it brought its blessings, there was also much
society engaged gradually in mechanized misery. If we can thank the Industrial
manufacturing works. A series of inventions Revolution for giving us internal
transformed the manufacture of cotton combustion engines and laser guided radial
goods in England and gave rise to a new arm saws, we can also condemn it for the
mode of production - the factory system. threatening effect it has had on social and
During the period 1750 to 1830, other ecological relationships.
branches of industry affected comparable The Industrial Revolution needed the
advances, and all these together, mutually resources, especially the raw materials,
reinforcing one another, made possible which were concentrated mainly in the

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3180


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

underdeveloped nations. While the resources In 1991 the annual „product‟ of the global
were extracted from the Southern countries economy was valued at $29,000 million,
(presently the developing countries), the which meant it produced, in just 17 days, the
value addition was done mostly in the equivalent of the entire annual global
Northern countries (presently the developed product a hundred years before. This has
countries), thus creating an economic increased all forms of industrial activities
imbalance. The colonization process also such as energy generation, transportation,
was responsible for exploiting natural mechanical equipment‟s and chemicals in
resources of „South‟ for export, and agriculture, waste and effluent discharges
established large monocultures and opened and release of harmful and hazardous gases
up a largely unexploited domain. After in the air. This has led to high pollution
independence, the newly established levels and extinction of several species from
governments frequently paid more attention the earth. The United Nations Environment
to rapid economic development than to fair Program‟s (UNEP) Red Data Book
and equitable access to natural resources. As estimates that 25 percent of species are
these developing nations were caught in a about to face extinction as more than 100
situation where they either had to stepped up species are becoming extinct every day.
their advancement or stay back with what Careless industrialization has also led to
they were going through. Thus, such nations fatal accidents as seen in Bhopal, Chernobyl
tried their level best to compete with those and Exxon Valdez. Sustainable
who had made strides already by in-fact development, therefore, is a reaction to the
using their resources. They over ruined their threatening speed of industrial activity
natural resources. undertaken by states, both rich and poor.
From the 1950s onwards, Northern countries Industrialization on one hand made some
sought fast economic growth through state- economically acceptable advancement but
managed industrialization plans that led to socially it kept man in dilemma.
excessive resource use and waste. The Urbanisation
legacy of these forms of industrial Urbanization refers to the increasing number
production in the former Soviet Union and of people that live in urban areas. It
Eastern Europe has not only seen economic predominantly results in the physical growth
dislocation but also daunting environmental of urban areas, be it horizontal or vertical.
problems such as the death of the Aral Sea, The UN projected that by 2050 almost 64%
nuclear contamination, and high levels of air and 85% populations of the developing and
and water pollution. Since 1989, most such developed world respectively will be
regimes have begun to move towards urbanized. The relation of urbanization with
market-based systems of economic industrialization is very close. The
organization and economic liberalization, expansion of industrialization has resulted in
often accompanied by democratization. the expansion of cities. This has rather
While market systems have been inherently meant expansion into rural lands that grow
efficient at economic organization, food and nurture cattle and village forests
environmental costs have traditionally been and provide several forms of sustainable
excluded from the decision-making process. occupations to the communities in these
This has allowed unsustainable exploitation areas. The spread of cities and industrial
of natural resources as well as unsustainable towns on one hand leads to the loss of
demands on natural pollution sinks, like the agricultural land including forest resources
tropical rain forests. and intense and unmanageable migration

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3181


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

towards the cities on the other. The level of proximity of rural settlements to urban
urbanization in India has increased from centers results in spin-offs for the rural
25.4 % in 1970 to 32.8 % in 2017 and is economy. The migration of labors and
expected to rise to 49% by the year 2050. entrepreneurial skills to the city, and
Uncontrolled and unplanned expansion of industrial towns and commercialization of
towns and cities with large populations has the land in these rural areas may have
overwhelmed transport, communication, positive outcomes in terms of employment,
water supply, sanitation and energy systems but it also results in the change of type of
resulting in a growth of urban poor and productive activities and even expulsion of
unemployed population with precarious farmers from their lands. In other words we
health problems. There are three distinct can say that this whole process imbibes both
types of poor urban dwellers; the homeless, positives as well as negatives also.
those living in slums, and squatters Inequalities
occupying illegal shantytowns. The basic The studies carried out by different agencies
services such as water supply and sanitation have been successful in highlighting the
remain inaccessible to the urban poor. The outcomes of development. The new indices,
lack of these services along with e.g., Human Development Index (HDI)
malnourishment and diseases like diarrhoea, developed by the United Nations
malaria, dengue and tuberculosis etc. make Development Programme (UNDP) to study
them suffer always. Large numbers of cities the standard of life has brought into focus
have become dump yards of garbage and the widening gap between the countries of
industrial waste. This has given rise to the developed and the developing nations.
environmental problems like air and water On one hand, a wealthy minority of the
pollution with fatal consequences. Today, world‟s population is consuming at an
there are serious social, economic and unsustainably high level, causing
environmental problems within these urban disproportionate damage to global
centers. The impact of urbanization is that ecosystems, while protecting only their local
the inhabitants consume raw materials from environment. On the other hand, a poor,
surrounding regions and generate waste and larger and rapidly-growing proportion of the
pollution. For example, fuel wood consumed world‟s population is being forced by
in Delhi comes from the forests of Madhya poverty to degrade the natural resource base
Pradesh. Thus the commercialization and on which it is directly dependent. In
greater demand of fuel wood in a city leads addition, a vast global „middle class‟ is
to deforestation in a far-off area. The emerging by continued economic growth
untreated dumping of the wastes generated and globalization. The developing countries
by the cities into river and other water with 77 percent of world population
sources results in their contamination. And it generate only 15 percent of world income.
silently creates serious repercussions on the The average GNP per capita in the North is
aquatic life as well as downstream human US$ 12510 which is more than 18 times the
settlements. The vegetative cover of the average in the South which is US$710.The
surrounding areas is also affected. For UNDP estimated in the last decade that the
example, the acid rains, which are number of poor is going to increase in the
detrimental to the vegetation and aquatic life coming decades. This increase is largely
in any area, are the result of severe air related to the unfair developmental policies
pollution caused by the industrialization of being pursued by international trading
the neighboring regions. Further, the institutions. The key issues are how to add

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3182


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

value to agriculture and cottage industries products. Sustainability is about


produce at the production site itself as also environmental protection, sustained
how to provide welfare funding to economic growth and social equity.
institutions catering to the poor children, Sustainable development focuses on
destitute women and dalits who have improving the quality of life for all. It also
remained marginalized and reduce the gap offers different things to different persons.
between the haves and the have-nots that is From sensitive environmentalists to liberal
increasing in the process of economic marketers the concept has been interpreted
globalization. and used to suit their needs. It is like the
Resource Utilization concept of democracy and justice, which are
The four major resources of this earth, never contested but are interpreted, to suit
which are taken care of by every nation ideologically opposed groups. However, the
individually, as well as through international baseline agreement which is undebated in its
agreements are land, water, air and forests. meaning can be given in a nutshell as
The industrialized countries such as the G8 sustainable activities are those which:
(United States [US], Japan, · Use materials in continuous cycles.
Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, · Use reliable sources of energy
Canada and Russia), Organization for continuously.
Economic Cooperation and Development · Use the positive and just side of human
(OECD) and European Union (EU) which personality.
have less than 23 percent of the world · Want growth to last longer without being
population have been consuming resources slower.
that are several times more than that being Activities are unsustainable when they:
consumed by the whole of Asia, Latin · Overuse natural resources in a wasteful
America and Africa taken together. The manner.
energy consumption of one US citizen is · Consumption is faster than renewal.
equal to more than 160 Tanzanians or 900 · Overkill life forms leading to the
Nepalese. This affluence of the North has extinction of species.
led to an irresponsible release of · Cause cumulative degradation of the
chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas into the environment.
environment to the extent of 28 percent by
US alone. On the contrary the poor countries Conclusion
are so laden with debt that to repay the debt Sustainable development is largely about
are forced to over-extract their resources and
people, their well-being, and equity in their
sell it to the rich nations.
Sustainable and Non-sustainable relationships with each other, in a context
Activities where nature-society imbalances can
The concept of sustainable development is threaten economic and social stability.
not just about the environment, but about the Development is a changing phenomenon
economy and our society as well. with the change of human numbers. There is
Sustainability is a concept, which deals with a sea change in the use of both non-
mankind‟s impact, through development, on
renewable and renewable resources.
the environment. Today‟s environmental
problems are largely the consequence of the Sustainable development depends on the
unsustainable consumption of natural scientific and efficient use of the resources
resources and the mismanagement of waste (natural and manufactured). Future is on the

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3183


International Journal of Research e-ISSN: 2348-6848
p-ISSN: 2348-795X
Available at https://edupediapublications.org/journals
Volume 04 Issue 14
November 2017

hands of people. More researches are needed


for finding policy and tools of sustainable
Development.

REFERENCES
1. Brundtland Commission Report (1987)
World Commission on Environment and
Development, Our Common Future, Oxford
University Press, Oxford.
2. Dresner, S. (2002) The Principles of
Sustainability, Earthscan, London.
3. Hirsch, F. (1976) The Social Limits to
Grow, Routledge, London.
4. Redclift, M. (1996) Wasted: Counting the
Global Consumption, Earthscan, London.
5. Sustainable Development, Exploring the
Contradictions, Methuen, London, 1987.
6. Reid, David (1995) Sustainable
Development: An Introductory Guide.
EarthScan, London.
7.
http://www.grida.no/geo2000/english/0027
.htm

Available online: https://edupediapublications.org/journals/index.php/IJR/ P a g e | 3184

You might also like