[INFORMATIVE] Importance of Sustainable Development

Importance of Sustainable Development

By Mansi Kumbhare

What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development is an approach to growth and human development that aims to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The goal is a society where living conditions and resources meet human needs without undermining planetary integrity. Sustainable development aims to balance the needs of the economy, environment, and social well-being.

Sustainable development overlaps the idea of sustainability which is a normative concept. UNESCO distinguished between the two concepts: "Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal (i.e. a more sustainable world), while sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it.” There are some problems with the concept of sustainable development. It is an oxymoron because development is inherently unsustainable, according to some scholars. Other critics are disappointed by the lack of progress achieved so far. Part of the problem is that development itself is not consistently defined.

Dimensions of the concept
Sustainable development, like sustainability, is regarded to have three dimensions: the environment, economy, and society. Several terms are in use for this concept. Authors may speak of three pillars, dimensions, components, aspects, perspectives, factors, or goals. All mean the same thing in this context. The idea is that a good balance between the three dimensions should be achieved. The three dimensions paradigm has few theoretical foundations.

Environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability concerns the natural environment and how it endures and remains diverse and productive. Since natural resources are derived from the environment, the state of air, water, and climate are of particular concern. Environmental sustainability requires society to design activities to meet human needs while preserving the life support systems of the planet. This entails using water sustainably, renewable energy, and sustainable material supplies (e.g. harvesting wood from forests at a rate that maintains the biomass and biodiversity of the forest).

An unsustainable situation occurs when natural capital (the total of nature's resources) is used faster than it can be replenished. Sustainability requires that human activity only uses nature's resources at a rate in which they can be replenished naturally. The concept of sustainable development is intertwined with the concept of carrying capacity. The long-term result of environmental degradation is the inability to sustain human life. Important operational principles of sustainable development were published by Herman Daly in 1990: renewable resources should provide a sustainable yield (the rate of harvest should not exceed the rate of regeneration); for non-renewable resources, there should be equivalent development of renewable substitutes; waste generation should not exceed the assimilative capacity of the environment.

Importance of Sustainable Development
The world is facing serious environmental challenges including climate change, freshwater depletion, over-fishing, deforestation, water and air pollution, and hunger. Sustainable development is crucial as it focuses on improving human-environment interaction by prioritizing the management and protection of the earth’s natural resources for future generations, as well as for the millions of other species on our planet.

By promoting stable economic growth, conservation of natural resources, environmental protection, and social equality, we can conserve and enhance our natural resources so that all countries can meet the basic needs of employment, food, energy, water and sanitation.

Examples of sustainable development
Sustainable development was recognized in the year 1987. The fact that the human population is growing exponentially and the conventional sources of energy are not sufficient for generating energy for a long duration of time inspired the idea of sustainable development. It involves promoting the use of non-conventional renewable sources of energy and recycling. The following are examples of sustainable development:

1. Wind Energy: Wind energy is one of the most popular non-conventional sources of energy. It is mainly used in the coastal regions where the wind velocity is higher.
2. Solar Energy: Solar energy is a clean source of energy generation that does not directly cause harm to the environment or human health. It makes use of the sun’s heat and light radiations to generate thermal or electrical energy.
3. Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is the process of planting different crops in the same location in consecutive seasons. This helps in restoring the nutrients to the soil before sowing the next crop.
4. Hydropower Sustainability: Hydropower is one of the best methods to generate energy for commercial and personal consumption. It makes use of the law of conservation of energy under which the energy is converted from one form to another without getting lost.
5. Waste Recycling: Recycling helps to reduce the need for fossil fuels, thereby minimizing the adverse side effects caused to the environment. The process of waste-to-energy conversion helps to overcome the scarcity of energy. Moreover, it helps with proper waste management.

Sustainable development goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030, all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The 17 SDGs are integrated. They recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability. The goals are as follows:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. 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

Education for sustainable development
Education for sustainable development (ESD) is a term officially used by the United Nations for education practices that encourage changes in knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes to enable a more sustainable and just society for humanity. ESD aims to empower and equip current and future generations with the tools to meet their needs using a balanced and integrated approach to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

Conclusion
Sustainable development is not just a goal but a necessity to ensure the well-being of future generations. It requires a balanced approach that integrates economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection. As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, the commitment to sustainable practices must be unwavering. By adopting renewable energy, promoting responsible consumption, and encouraging global cooperation, we can build a future where progress does not come at the expense of the planet. The path to sustainability is challenging, but it is the only way to secure a prosperous world for all. Ultimately, sustainable development is about creating a world where progress and preservation go hand in hand, ensuring that the legacy we leave behind is one of resilience, opportunity, and harmony with nature.


Citations
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Sustainable development goals. (n.d.). UNDP. https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals

Sharma, C. (2024, June 17). 12 Examples of Sustainable Development. sustainable development. https://studiousguy.com/sustainable-development-examples/

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