Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development is often an over-used word, but goes to the heart of tackling a number of inter-related global issues such as poverty, inequality, hunger and environmental degradation. In theory, development that is sustainable and not damaging to the planet is very possible. Of course though, in reality there are a lot of politics and challenges are involved.

There are many definitions of sustainable development, including this landmark one which first appeared in 1987:

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

— from the World Commission on Environment and Development’s (the Brundtland Commission) report Our Common Future (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1987).

Agenda 21

Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. It is an action agenda for the UN, other multilateral organizations, and individual governments around the world that can be executed at local, national, and global levels. The "21" in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century. It has been affirmed and modified at subsequent UN conferences.

People concerned about sustainable development suggest that meeting the needs of the future depends on how well we balance social, economic, and environmental objectives or needs when making decisions today. 

Many of these objectives may seem to conflict with each other in the short term. For example, industrial growth might conflict with preserving natural resources. Yet, in the long term, responsible use of natural resources now will help ensure that there are resources available for sustained industrial growth far into the future.

Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges faced by humanity. As early as the 1970s, "sustainability" was employed to describe an economy "in equilibrium with basic ecological support systems." Ecologists have pointed to The Limits to Growth, and presented the alternative of a "steady state economy" in order to address environmental concerns.

The concept of sustainable development has in the past most often been broken out into three constituent parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and sociopolitical sustainability. More recently, it has been suggested that a more consistent analytical breakdown is to distinguish four domains of economic, ecological, political and cultural sustainability. 

The goal of sustainable development is to improve living standards and the quality of people’s lives, both now and for future generations. 

Social issues are an important piece of the development.

The need for social services is universal

All people in a society must have access to certain basic goods and services in order to lead healthy, fulfilling and productive lives. Education and training must be available, so that everyone has the chance to earn a decent living and learn new skills. Girls must have the same opportunity as boys to go to school or to get jobs. Women must have access to basic family planning services and adequate health care and nutrition for themselves and their children. The elderly must receive the medical care, social security and pensions they need to support themselves as they grow older. Ensuring fair access to basic services is an essential task of governments around the world.

Local issues/global issues

Social concerns in one country can have impacts that reach beyond national borders. For example, unequal access to education or lack of job opportunities can lead people to migrate. This may cause profound changes in the country they leave, as it adjusts to the loss of certain groups. And the countries in which immigrants settle may face the challenges of increasing demands on educational and health care systems, as well as of integrating diverse groups into society. Increasingly, the social concerns of one country may affect other countries around the world.

Linking social sector issues with the economic and the environmental sectors

Social sector issues are closely linked to economic issues such as poverty. In any society, it is the poor who are least likely to receive adequate health care, education, and family planning services. Higher birth rates may result, making it difficult for these families to meet their basic needs and break out of the cycle of poverty. Social issues are also linked with environmental concerns. In many countries, contaminated water and polluted air are responsible for an increase in water-borne diseases and respiratory problems, all of which place an extra burden on local health care systems.

It is only when information about social conditions is combined with economic and environmental data that the full impact of development decisions on the quality of life can be understood. In order for countries to meet the needs of their people now and in the long term, governments must develop policies that balance social needs with both economic growth and environmental protection.

Social indicators

One way of measuring a country's level of development is to look at social data such as the population growth rate, which measures the increase in a country’s population and reflects the number of births and deaths and people migrating into and out of the country. 

Economic Sector

The goal of sustainable development is to improve living standards and the quality of people’s lives, both now and for future generations. Economic issues are an important piece of the development.

Everyone plays a role in the economy

Economics is a system of deciding how to allocate limited resources that will be used to meet human needs and wants. Whenever we buy, sell, or barter something, we are taking part in the exchange of goods and services that makes up the economy. Examples of such goods and services can vary widely—from food, school buses, books, minerals, and military weapons, to bank loans, factories, electricity, hospitals, hair cuts, clothes, and television programs.

When a country’s economy is healthy, most people can make, buy, or trade for most of the goods and services they need and want. In some countries these goods and services may be available only to relatively few people. In all countries some people may have more than enough, while others may barely survive.

Local issues/global issues

To help their economies continue to grow over time, countries strive to develop economic, social, and environmental goals, policies, and strategies for the short and long term. And since economies around the world are increasingly and inextricably linked through trade, the decisions that one country -- rich or poor -- makes about its economy can affect many other countries. Developing countries may depend on industrial countries to provide goods and services that they lack the technology or resources to produce. But industrial nations also depend on developing countries, who purchase one-quarter of the goods and services they export.

Linking the economy with environmental and social sectors

Economic issues are closely linked to environmental concerns. The economy depends on the sustainable use of renewable resources. Overuse of these resources for short-term gain may undercut a country’s long-term economic future.

Economic issues are also linked with social concerns. For example, inadequate investment in education and training of workers limits the potential for economic growth. And rapid population growth may limit the economic system’s ability to meet people’s basic needs and provide jobs for everyone who wants to work.

It is only when information about the economy is combined with social and environmental data that the full impact of development decisions on the quality of life can be understood.

Economic indicators

One way to measure a country’s level of development is to look at economic data such as the dollar amount of the country’s gross national product (GNP) per capita. GNP per capita helps measure the material output of a country, but it does not show what is produced, whether all people share equally in the wealth of the country, or whether they lead fulfilling lives.

Environmental Sector

The goal of sustainable development is to improve living standards and the quality of people’s lives, both now and for future generations. Environmental issues are an important piece of the development.

Environmental issues affect everyone

Industrial and developing countries alike share environmental concerns. Both must strive to ensure that citizens in both cities and rural areas have clean air to breathe, safe drinking water, and adequate supplies of clean renewable energy. Agriculture and industry must make efficient and responsible use of the natural resources, like, land, soil, forests, rivers, oceans, mineral deposits, upon which they rely.

Local issues/global issues

Some environmental issues are highly localized, but many others cross national borders. Industrial and human waste dumped into a river by one country may affect the health and livelihoods of citizens in another country hundreds of miles downstream. Ozone-depleting gases cause changes in the earth’s atmosphere that may result in rising cancer rates and lower crop yields in countries around the world. As global interdependence increases, solving environmental problems requires greater cooperation and coordination between nations regionally and worldwide.

Linking the environment with the economic and social sectors.

Environmental concerns are inextricably linked to economic issues such as poverty. People living in poverty may damage the environment as they struggle simply to survive, cutting down trees for fuel wood, exhausting crop land, and contaminating urban water supplies with waste they cannot afford to treat.

Environmental concerns are also linked with social issues such as population growth. A rapidly growing population places strains on a country’s natural resources, as well as on its ability to provide housing, health care, education, safe water, and sanitation for all.

It is only when information about the environment is combined with social and economic data that citizens and decision makers can understand the full impact of development decisions on the quality of life. The challenge for governments is to create development strategies that incorporate values of environmental sustainability, while increasing economic growth and providing adequate social services.

Environmental indicators

One way of measuring a country’s level of development is to look at environmental data such as access to safe water, which measures the percentage people who can get all the safe water they need to lead healthy lives.