ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Development is a term which refers to a change in structural transformation of

socio-political economy in a positive and valued manner. Sustainable development

encompasses concerns for the society, economy and the environment.

Before the World War II, Development was used in synonymous with economic

growth. In fact, the term implied rise in production of economic activities. Rise in

production was needed due to-

1. for feeding increasing numbers of population

2. for raising standard of living

However, rise in economic production, increasing population, and higher standard

of living in the developed countries led to environmental deterioration while poverty

related problems also led to environmental problems in the third world.

Therefore, during the 1960s, there was a growing concern on interrelated issues

like-

1. Increasing population

2. Environmental deterioration

3. Rise in production or economic growth

4. Poverty

As a result, a number of books relating to effect of development on environment

have been published. In 1962, Rachel Carson published ‘The Silent Spring’. The

outcome of this book was the banned of usage of DDT in western countries. Before

this, J. Osbourne (1948) has published a highly influential book titled ‘Our Plundered

Planet’.

In 1972, a research team called the ‘Club of Rome’ under Prof. Dennis Meadows

published a widely circulated book titled ‘Limits to Growth’ in which the world is

modelled as a spaceship where there is a limit of everything on its content. This book

revealed the projected effects of increasing population and economic growth on

environment and human well-being.

Meanwhile, the United Nation was also taking efforts to protect the environment

while sustaining growth. In 1972, the United Nation’s Conference on Human

Settlement was held in Stockholm. This Stockholm Conference is usually identifies as

a watershed in the emergence is sustainable development. It gave rise to the formation

of United Nation’s Environment Programme (UNEP). By 1987, the World

Commision on Environment and Development prepared a report under the

chairmanship of Swedish P.M. Brundtland. The name of the report was titled Our

Common Future. In this book, sustainable development was defined as –

Development which meets the needs of the present generation without

compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.

Although the concept of sustainability is problematic both analytically and

practically, it mainly relates to give opportunities for future generations by including

economic, social and ecological objectives. The concept of sustainable development is

closely like with issues of environment, development, equity, and futurity. Sustainable

development calls that environment sets limits to economic growth. Rapid and

uncontrolled economic growth leads to environmental degradation. It is therefore,

essential to include environment in economic policies and not treated as free or traded

goods.

The concept of Sustainable development is based on the following three

principles:

1. Inter-generational equity- this means that natural resources should not be

indiscriminately used but also should be passed on to future generations.

2. Social Justice- this means that present resources should be fairly and

equitable used by all sections of population in both poor and rich countries

to satisfy their aspirations for a better life. The Brundtland Report also

states that ‘poor and powerless will get fair share of the resources required

to sustain growth’

3. Trans-Frontier Responsibility- sustainable development recognized the

trans-border nature of pollution. Environmental protection should

legitimise in all countries while more developed countries should try to

reduce their carbon emission.

Objectives of Sustainable Development:

According to the World Commission on Environment and Development

(WCED), the main objectives of Sustainable Development are-

1. reviving growth

2. changing the quality of growth

Sustainable

Development

Society Economy Environment

3. meeting essential needs for jobs, energy and water

4. conserving and enhancing resources

5. reorienting technology and managing risks

6. merging environment and economics in decision-making

Strategies to achieve Sustainable Development:

1. restraining population growth mainly in areas of higher growth

2. reducing poverty and inequality

3. sustainable agriculture

4. protection of environment and biodiversity

5. sustainable resource use

6. reduce consumerism

7. creating technologies which are minimal or non-pollutants

To conclude, sustainable development emphasizes environmentally benign

development and sees rapid economic growth as the only way to tackle poverty in the

Third world countries. Sustainable development is people-centred, concentrate on

improving human conditions and conservation based, maintaining the variety and

productivity of nature. This is clearly reflected in the Rio Conference’s Declaration

(1992) which opens with the statement that ‘Human beings are at the centre of

concerns for sustainable development’.