subject: Is sustainable development compatible with human welfare? [print this page] Is sustainable development compatible with human welfare?
Sustainable development is type of development that meets the needs of the current with no compromise on the aptitude of the coming generation to fulfill their needs (Heal, 2009). This particular definition sets two fundamental principles of inter-generational and intra-generational equity containing two major ideas of limits and needs. The idea of needs insists that paramount priority ought to be given to the indispensable wants of the world's poor, both south and north. Unequal distribution of resources and poverty is one and the same thing, and has been recognized as the major source of environmental degradation. The idea sustainable development was at very first time certified, endorsed, and sanctioned in the global conservation strategy in 1980, formed by three non governmental organizations (Easton, 2009). The document endorsed was chiefly concerned with the sustainability of ecology, or living things conservation, and directed little concentration to broader economic, social, or political issues.
An essential unique characteristic of sustainable development as a strategy, policy, or plan model is shifting terms of debate from conventional environmentalism, with its prime concentration on protection of the environment, to the concept of sustainability that needs a multifaceted process of trading off economic, social, and environmental precedence. The above definition of sustainability development is concerned with social and economic development the same way it puts weight on the protection of environment. Development is a procedure of alteration, and makeover that by merging economic growth together with wider cultural and social alterations facilitates individuals in realizing their complete potential. The aspect of sustainability suggests the identification that development should as well stick to the substantial limitations imposed by environments, so that environmental considerations ought to be entrenched in all segments and strategic areas.
The idea of sustainable development is a multifaceted one, because it comprises the social, economic, and environmental aspects, so the concept brings on to board a balanced act that in the long run ought to be theoretically valuable to all the three aspects of economic, social, and environmental (Heal, 2009). If we focus on environmental protection in a way that will result into future economic misery, then we will be defeating the sole primary purpose, objective, and aim of development. On the other hand, if we focus on promoting the economic security in the short run, and bring about social and environmental dilapidation, we would be winning one encounter and losing many, leading to a worst ending in future, thereby compromising the needs of coming generations. The long run aspect of sustainable development is becoming problematic (Pezzey and Toman, 2002). It leads to the question as to how lengthy is the long run. Must we now focus on economic growth in promoting development that will be realized in the coming centuries? This is an imperative question that needs a detailed answer and it remains pertinent to the idea of sustainable indicator.
To complicate the issue further, sustainable development encompasses other aspects, dimension, and elements as well, such as ethical aspects that involves intra and inter generational considerations, democratic resolution making, along with other issues that result into an individual taking consideration benefits of persons excluding him/her (Easton, 2009). These ethical elements are frequently well thought-out in sets of sustainable development. A more thoughtful consideration is whether or not sustainable development ought to be trailed for the welfare of human beings or for the planet's welfare together with all its non living and living forms. A number of individuals would link sustainable development to the Universe safety. Such contemplation would result into complications to an extent, that people may give up trying to evaluate anything (Heal, 2009). We also end up arguing that present human activity is so negligible over a thousand million years of what appears to us as devastations, upheavals, and natural catastrophes. The argument remains stronger as to whether sustainable development intent entails the Universe that has never been well defined up to this very moment.
Almost everybody in the current world agrees that sustainable development is enviable, but the actual meaning still remains ambiguous in the minds of many people (Ayong, 2001). The report on environmental development of 1987 does not differentiate development in physical utilization and investment along with qualitative development with no growth, and did not face up to the intrinsic disagreement between limitless material growth and sustainability (Pezzey and Toman, 2002). However, sustainable development would have growing economies in the whole world that would provide impartial, equitable, and reasonable opportunities for gratifying livelihood and a health, safe, as well as high worth life for both existing and coming generations. The Universe would be in the position of protecting its natural resources base, its environment, and the purposes and feasibility of natural systems on which all kinds of life depends. In so doing sustainable development would be much compatible with the welfare of human, as it will be addressing the needs of both the current and prospect generations.
Many tropical soils in developing countries suffer from infertility and most of the people possessing these soils are lower income earners. Use of exterior inputs, such as artificial fertilizers, antibiotic, and pesticides can be problematic, not just for environmental reasons, but concerns for economic, food security, and working conditions as well (Cunningham and Cunningham, 2009). Organic production as part of sustainable development may perhaps provide a lasting solution to these troubles facing most of developing countries in some cases, if this type of food production can secure a sustainable economy for farmers (Easton, 2009). Furthermore, organic production provides possibilities of generating income by selling certified organic products.
