Q.1. Write a short note on Sustainable Development.
Ans. Introduction: According to Brundtland Commission in its 1987 report, "Sustainable development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. "
Three Pillars of Sustainable Development:
(a) Social Development: Social development is about improving the well-being of every individual in society so they can reach their full potential. The success of society is linked to the well-being of each and every citizen. Development should lead to equitable distribution of wealth along with having low effects on the environment. It includes the welfare of all stakeholders like employees. citizens, investors, customers and the society as a whole should be benefitted.
(b) Environmental Development: Development is necessary in all economies. but not at the cost of environmental degradation. Environmental Development means developmental activities undertaken keeping in mind its effects on the Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River was opposed for a very long time as it has adverse effects on the environment.
(c) Economic Development: Economic development, the process whereby simple. low-income national economies are transformed into modern industrial economies. Although the term is sometimes used as a synonym for economic growth, generally it is employed to describe a change in a country's economy involving qualitative as well as quantitative improvements. For example, building of a bridge, generates employment and helps travel easily leading to economic development of people.
Principles of Sustainable Development:
- Support responsible development that promotes efficiency and enhances the quality of life.
- Protect the environment in both a proactive and remedial manner, with emphasis on anticipation and prevention.
- Make decisions that recognize the interdependence of humans and nature in a common ecosystem.
- Promote responsible resource use and conservation practices
- Have regard for environmental, economic and social costs and benefits in the development and use of resources, products and services.
- Promote responsible stewardship to ensure equitable use of natural and environmental resources in order to meet essential needs of both present and future generations. .
Objectives of Sustainable Development:
(i) Protection of Natural Resources: Preserve and extend accessible green spaces, shorelines, natural water courses and the forests.
(ii) Reforestation: Promote the replanting and management of vegetation on private and public property.
(iii) Full Public Participation in Development Decisions: Allow the public to be part of all planning decisions, Economic, environmental and social impacts of proposed developments should be considered.
(iv) Actively Promote Sustainable Development: Advocate changes at the senior levels of government, in order to evolve towards sustainability.
(v) Make the Best Use of Land: Land-use decisions based upon an ecosystem approach to ensure environmental integrity and diversity. To include, but not be limited to, promoting environmentally sensitive lands and using fertile soil for agriculture throughout the municipality.
(vi) Protection and Enhancement of Natural Features: Protect and enhance natural features by ensuring that the physical features of shorelines, agriculture lands, flood plains, forestry tracts and notable landmarks are preserved for future generations.
(vii) Responsible Use of Natural Resources: Encourage conservation of natural resources, work towards ensuring that users are charged for the full local costs of their individual use of water, electricity and sanitary sewers. There should also be educational programs to encourage conservation of natural resources.
Case Study: Carbon Footprint and Carbon Trading
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon is called as Carbon Footprint. According to the Kyoto Protocol of 1997, countries are supposed to involve themselves in carbon trading Each country is given a set of permits to pollute, if you pollute less, you can save your permits which can be sold to other countries with permit deficits. Therefore, this helps in sustainable development along with reduced production of greenhouse gases.
Case Study: The Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention and for the first time brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so.
The Paris Agreement central aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.
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