Sustainable Development

Definition

Sustainable development is a concept that seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This idea emphasizes a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity, ensuring that resources are used responsibly and preserved for future use. It connects deeply with globalization as it underscores the importance of worldwide cooperation in addressing issues like climate change, resource depletion, and social inequalities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sustainable development gained prominence with the 1987 Brundtland Report, which highlighted the need for a balanced approach to development that considers environmental sustainability.
2. It promotes strategies that integrate economic growth with environmental health and social equity, ensuring that all people can thrive without depleting the planet's resources.
3. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted in 2015, consist of 17 goals aimed at addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change by 2030.
4. Climate change poses one of the biggest threats to sustainable development, making it crucial to adopt practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect ecosystems.
5. International cooperation is essential for achieving sustainable development as it requires collaboration across countries to tackle shared issues like resource management and environmental conservation.

Review Questions

• How does sustainable development relate to globalization and what are the implications for local communities?
  • Sustainable development is closely linked to globalization as it calls for international cooperation to address pressing global challenges. Local communities are impacted by this relationship through the need to balance local resource use with global sustainability goals. Globalization can enhance access to technology and ideas that promote sustainable practices while also introducing risks such as environmental degradation and social inequalities if not managed carefully.
• Discuss the role of international agreements in promoting sustainable development and how they influence national policies.
  • International agreements play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development by establishing frameworks for cooperation and setting targets for countries to achieve. Agreements like the Paris Agreement on climate change encourage nations to commit to reducing emissions and adopting sustainable practices. These agreements often influence national policies by requiring governments to create laws and regulations that align with global standards, ultimately fostering a more sustainable approach to development.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in addressing global issues related to sustainable development.
  • The effectiveness of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be evaluated through their comprehensive framework that addresses various interconnected global issues such as poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. While they provide a valuable guideline for nations to pursue sustainability, their success hinges on individual countries' commitment to implementing policies that align with these goals. Challenges such as political will, funding, and coordination among nations can hinder progress; however, the SDGs have successfully raised awareness and catalyzed action on critical global issues.

Related terms

Ecological Footprint: A measure of how much natural resources an individual or community consumes compared to what the Earth can regenerate in a year.

Renewable Energy: Energy that is collected from renewable resources, such as sunlight, wind, and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished.

Global Citizenship: The idea that individuals have a responsibility to engage with and contribute to a global community, particularly in addressing global challenges like poverty and climate change.