Sustainable Development

DEFINITION.. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. “Brundtland Report” 1987. "Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems" (Caring for the Earth, IUCN/WWF/UNEP, 1991) It contains within it two key concepts: - the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and - the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs." All definitions of sustainable development require that we see the world as a system—a system that connects space; and a system that connects time.

The goal of Sustainable development is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of future generations. 5 guiding principles: Living within environmental limits Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society Achieving a sustainable economy Promoting good governance Using sound science responsibility

Sustainable Development, is about control, control of your life and your property.  That's it.

Environmental sustainability Economic sustainability Social sustainability Cultural sustainability

related to sustainability Principles related to sustainability Economic Social/Cultural Environmental Interdependence of life Nature a reflection of the Divine Modesty – Earth source of all our wealth Unity in diversity Cleanliness Kindness to animals Preservation Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty Work as worship Moderation Be content w/little Voluntary giving Profit sharing Equality of women and men Elimination of all forms of prejudice Unity in diversity / Justice Universal compulsory education Trustworthiness / Respect History – Beliefs

Environmental Sustainability Environmental sustainability – natural capital remains intact. Environment Source and sink functions Carrying capacity Resources : renewable – non renewable

Consumption of Renewable Resources State of Environment & Sustainability More than nature's ability to replenish  Environmental degradation  Not Sust. Equal to nature's ability to replenish  Environmental equilibrium  Steady state Less than nature's ability to replenish  Environmental renewal  Sustainable

Economical Sustainability Economics is the study of how societies use resources. Economic sustainability when development, which moves towards social and environmental sustainability, is financially feasible. It’s about understanding that economic growth is only sustainable if it simultaneously improves our quality of life and the environment Can be grouped into three general categories: values and valuation; policy instruments; and poverty and environment.

Economical Sustainability aims at: Breaking the cycle of hunger & poverty in environmentally sound ways. Meeting of basic needs Expanding economic opportunities Protecting and improving the environment Promoting pluralism and democratic participation Equity of the distribution of resources and the overall scale of economic activity.

Social Sustainability Social sustainability – the cohesion of society and its ability to work towards common goals and maintained individual needs: health and well-being, nutrition, shelter, education , expression

How can this be achieved? Systematic community participation Strong civil society, including government Cohesion of community for mutual benefit Connectedness between groups of people Reciprocity Tolerance, compassion, patience, forbearance, fellowship, love, Commonly accepted standards of honesty, Discipline and ethics Commonly shared rules, laws, and information / Common rights Social levels are underappreciated  high levels of violence  mistrust  social breakdown.

Cultural Sustainability A developed state of mind – as in a person of culture’, ‘a cultured person’; The processes of this development : ‘cultural interests’, ‘cultural activities’; ‘traditions’ The means of these processes: ‘the arts’ , ‘human intellectual works’; As ‘a whole way of life’, ‘a signifying system’ through which a social order is communicated, reproduced, experienced and explored.

The area of culture has grown in global development issues on account of the rising share of cultural goods, services and intellectual property in world as well as the threats to cultural diversities and identities associated with contemporary globalization. There is increasing awareness that the protection and promotion of cultural diversity is vital to universal human rights, fundamental freedoms along with securing ecological and genetic diversity. This standpoint is premised on the view that sustainable development is onlyachievable if there is harmony and alignment between the objectives of cultural diversity and that of social equity, environmental responsibility and economic viability.

Spreading SD….. Education for SD enables people to develop the knowledge, values and skills to participate in decisions about the way we do things, individually and collectively, both locally and globally, that will improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet for the future. Seven key concepts for ESD: Interdependence Citizenship Needs and rights of future generations Diversity Quality of life and equity Development Carrying capacity and change Uncertainty and precaution

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is over self. – ARISTOTLE Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence ARISTOTLE Different men seek after happiness in different ways and by different means, and so make for themselves different modes of life. ARISTOTLE We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit. — ARISTOTLE A state arises, as I conceive, out of the needs of mankind; no one is self-sufficing, but all of us have many wants. - PLATO Any man may easily do harm, but not every man can do good to another. – PLATO Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others. - PLATO Man is a wingless animal with two feet and flat nails. - PLATO Our object in the construction of the state is the greatest happiness of the whole, and not that of any one class. - PLATO We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. - PLATO

KNOW THYSELF!