@EOTOWorl

what is
sustainable
development?
UNCSD Major Group of Children and Youth
In collaboration with Earth Charter International and EOTO World
This lesson will cover the following materials:
• What is sustainable development
• Why does it matter for young people?
• What is my role in it?
• How to create your own message and talk about
sustainable development.

After :
• You will be equipped with knowledge of what
sustainable development is
• Be confident enough about the topic to do your own
research
• Be able to talk about it with other people and spread
the message!
 Before we
start…

One person can make a difference…

…and everyone should

try
Will
you?
 Youth are the most important actors in
sustainable development.
 It’s about our future.
What is sustainable
development?
The term “sustainable development” has
become commonplace in mainstream politics.
However, not everyone is aware what
sustainable development truly means
because there is no fixed definition and
politicians have used the term in various
ways.

What do YOU think sustainable

development is?
The Brundtland Definition
(1987)
“Sustainable development is
development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.”
 A brief history of sustainable
development Conference
1972: Stockholm
UN on Human 1987: Brundtland
1962: Rachel Carson’s Development, first bringing Commission:
book “Silent Spring” together heads of state on “Our Common
becomes the catalyst for a massive scale to address Future”
modern the question of environment
environmentalism and development

1992: Earth
Summit
2000: Millennium 1997: Kyoto • Rio Declaration
Development Protocol • Agenda 21
Goals • CSD
• CBD
• UNFCCC

2002: Johannesburg
Conference on 2009: COP15 Copenhagen
Sustainable 2010: COP16 Cancun And now…
Development 2011: COP17 Durban
• Johannesburg Plan of
Implementation Rio+20…
 Sustainable development is more
Societ than just caring about the
y
environment, or generating
money through economic growth.

Sustainabl
Econom e
y develop-
ment

It is the intersection of three pillars:

Environm
e Environment, Economy, and
nt Society.
 Systems
approach
When we think of sustainable
development we must think of
a system where the
decisions taken ensure that
every component of the
system – man, trees,
environment, society, wealth,
is capable of flourishing
without hindering the
capacity of the other
component to do so, whether
in the present or in the future
THE PRINCIPLE IS TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS PART OF
A WHOLE: THE ISSUES WHICH WE FACE ARE MULTIPLE,
AND COMPLEX. WE NEED A HOLISTIC VISION, WHICH
LOOKS AT THE WELLBEING OF MAN AND THE PLANET
TOGETHER.

The approach towards sustainable development should

encompass all aspects and take into consideration the
fact that everything is connected: across generations
and across countries (and communities etc)
How do we keep track of
everything?
This may seem daunting – how do we keep track of
everything?

But if we all understand the principles behind sustainable

development: principles such as equality, green living,
social progress, responsible consumption and so on, it is
easy to reach agreement about what sustainable
development truly is, and what conditions are necessary
to achieve it.

Can you list some principles for sustainable

development?
To put it in
context…
 Imagine what would happen if, for example, all the forests
were to be destroyed for the sake of building an industry.
Imagine if there were no trees at all on earth: would life be
possible? …
 Imagine, on the other hand, if we based an economy
which tried to protect those forests, make good use of them
but keep them in good condition for the next generations, as
well as dividing the profits equally among everyone involved.
Thus, the wealth would grow, the people would have a fair
share not only of the wealth, but also the access to those
resources.
That’s sustainable development.
 Check out this video called “Tragedy of the Commons,”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFkUeleHPY
 A look at the three pillars of
SD:

economic social environmental

• opportunities for growth
• increased GDP and benefits
• system stability and security
• Green jobs and eradication of
unemployment
• Prevention of practices which misuse
resources
• Regulation of over-exploitation and
harmful externalities
• Participation and inclusion of • Protection of ecosystems and
biosphere
everyone • increased quality of air, land,
• eradication of poverty and water
exclusion • better management of waste
• food security and
• equitable distribution of pollution
resources • respect and protection for all
species - flora, fauna, marine
• better life chances and species
opportunities • measures to ensure resource
• protection from exploitative sustainability and harmony
practices • Protection of marine
resources
 Sustainable development – the economic
dimension

The economic pillar is often made to be the strongest or even the

only pillar in “development”. To ensure economic
development and sustainability at the same time, we need to
look at issues such as:
• Fair trade
• Debt eradication
• Putting in place mechanisms which ensure that everyone gets
their due reward
• That corporations, industries and governments or Industries
do
not use up resources and put a strain on the environment

We need mechanisms to “measure” sustainable development. This is why indicators are used. One
of the current issues is that the indicator used, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is not appropriate
for measuring sustainable development. Firstly, it is based on money. Secondly, using GDP as
measure does not reflect social inequality or resource overexploitation.

WHAT IF WE USED HAPPINESSAS AN INDICATOR INSTEAD?

 Sustainable development – the social
dimension
• Health: everyone having access to healthcare and leading healthy lifestyles, and
diseases (such as HIV) being eradicated
• Education: everyone, esp. girls and people from poor background having access
to education
• Equality: everyone should be equal, and not be discriminated against because
they do not have the same resources or wealth as others, or because they are a
girl or belong to a specific community etc.
• Peace: many of us may take peace for granted;
however, last year, over 30 conflicts
and wars around the world were
taking place and lack of security
is a very real issue for a lot of
youth.
• Food security,
technology and
communication,
 Sustainable development – the environmental
dimension
The environment pillar of sustainable development is crucial; once we understand that the resources that the planet offers are finite it becomes
clear that current methods of consumption are using up more resources than the planet can afford.
Examples of how human activities have altered the planet are:
• Climate change and global warming
Human activities and choices (esp use of fossil fuels!) have released huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which are
naturally trapped by our ozone layer – thus contributing to the “greenhouse effect” and global warming. This has in turn led to changes
in weather patterns, more dramatic and destructive natural occurrences, drying up of water resources and melting of polar icecaps –
themselves contributing to the rise in sea levels.
• Deforestation
Humans have destroyed huge amounts of trees to make place for agriculture, construction, industry, and to use as resources eg for making
paper or houses. This has had a
huge impact on the planet as trees are not only a huge sink
of the planet’s CO2, but they also provide “ecosystem
services” such as preventing erosion, harbouring countless
species and so on.

• Loss of biodiversity
Human activities have disrupted ecosystems and also led to
the disappearance – extinction – of countless species
of plants and animals.
 Many conflicting views of sustainable development believe that it is actually anti-
growth and anti-wealth. On the contrary, SD is about balance and a holistic approach
to development. This means that some things need to be preserved and sustained while
others should be given the incentive to be developed.

~What more could be added to this list?~

~What can be improved? What things need to be protected?~

What needs to What needs to

be sustained be
developed.
• People and cultures • Quality of life
• Natural Resources
• Justice and social equality
• Equal opportunity
• Biodiversity • Institutions
• Environment and • Culture of sustainability
Ecosystems • Fair income
• Dialogue and Communication
What is my role in sustainable development
(SD)?
 Sustainable development requires the active
involvement of all stakeholders: governments, NGOs,
private sector but also civil society. It is not just
politicians, or policy makers, who decide what SD
should be like. The most important stakeholder in SD
is YOU!
 You have to remind policy-makers to make decisions
which protect your future: you can remind them that you
want better jobs, cleaner cities, more equitable
resource distribution, and above all, a guarantee that
your future is secure, full of opportunities, a
pleasant world to live in and a healthy planet.
 And for young
people?

Sustainable development is
especially important for young
people! The implementation of
sustainable development policies
going into effect now will determine
the future which we will inherit
tomorrow!

Because it is youth who will inherit
this planet, by advocating for
sustainable development, and
adopting sustainable practices, you
are actively participating in shaping
your own future.
Making those
decisions…
 The challenge is to devise policies which balance
economic growth, environmental protection, and social
equality and which look at the long term, but as long as
you stick to the core principles, this is possible!

 Established Indicators must be used to measure progress

of sustainable development policies, so you can evaluate
if more needs to be done! Thus, you need to think outside
the box, and think about others, and view your
contribution as part of a system, where you are helping
SD policies achieve goals that are beneficial to everyone
including the planet.
And now, the practical part of this
webinar!

How to talk
about
sustainable
development and
Rio+20 –
Talking about sustainability can feel intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it, it
becomes easier. Perhaps the best part about talking about sustainability is that you do not
have to be an expert to spread the word. After all, sustainability affects all of us, so
relating your cause to that of others is already easier than you think!

First, know some quick facts about sustainable

development and Rio+20!
1. People participate in Rio+20 through the 9 Major
Groups. Our group, the UNCSD Major Group of
Children and Youth (MGCY) focuses on engaging youth
in the Rio process.
2. Sustainability is not just about climate change, it
includes how to conserve and replenish in ways that are
helpful for future generations, in all that we do!
3. You can count on the MGCY as the official voice for
youth at the Rio+20 conference, so keep in touch so we
can work together!
4. There are seven critical issues that
are going to center discussions at the
conference. These are: Jobs, Oceans,
Energy, Water, Food,
Cities and Disasters.
(Note: we have a 7 issues explanation graphic which
explains the importance of each issue. You can even use it as
a
handout! If you’re interested in receiving this graphic along
with other materials, please leave your email addresses
here)
Next, know where to direct people for more
information. Everyone processes information
differently, and having a clear way to access
resources is always helpful. The best place to
direct people with Internet access is the Rio +20
official website for Children and Youth:
uncsdchildrenyouth.org. If Internet access is not
available, share the country overview drafted by
outreach team leaders about the issues instead.
Getting the message across: what you need to
remember

· Do your homework—learn a bit more about

the topic so that you feel more confident
· Know WHO your audience is
· Know WHERE your audience is located (find
out their background)
· Know WHAT your audience already knows
· Make it interesting! Sustainability does not have to
be formal or boring!
Are you familiar with quick facts about sustainable
development and Rio+20? Do you know where to direct
people for further information? You can start to develop a
strategy for how to talk to people about sustainable
development and Rio+20. Key elements you should think
of are:

 WHO is your audience?

 WHERE is your audience located?
 WHAT does your audience already know?
Where is your audience
•located?
Eg it may not be necessary to talk about consuming less in a place where there
is not enough for people to consume
• Instead, it may be more appropriate to speak about how to deal with waste
or ways which are easier on the earth
• You decide the information you want to use to open up the dialogue; you know
best what makes the most sense in your area of the world

Who is your audience?

• Be ready to give more, or less information, depending on who you are talking
to! This is where knowing where to direct people for additional information
comes in handy!
• You do not have to be an expert. Just talk about what you know.
• People become interested in what you believe in. So speak about SD from
your own experience and perspective. This will make you more comfortable
speaking about it.

What does your audience already know?

• One way to open up a conversation is to start by talking about what
information you found interesting
• Talking about SD does not have to be discussed formally, just speak as you
would with friends, comfortably, in a language which you all understand
Questions? Thoughts?
Comments?