A major
problem in the whole world right now is the excessive use of available
resources. We are continuously using the natural irreversible resources up to
the level of our own satisfaction without planning for the future. What we need
to understand is that we are not using what our ancestors left for us rather,
we are taking away what belongs to our future selves. We have to keep in mind
the consequences of our actions on the future generation and therefore, choose
a path that is sustainable enough.
Sustainable
development is a method for such a careful and planned development. It means
that availability of resources for the future generation which will allow them
to have a average quality life, at least as good as what the current generation
is enjoying.
The basic
aim of this development is to make sure that the future generation does not
suffer for the actions taken by us today. They get to live a life as
comfortable as us.
At the same
time, we should also focus on the economic growth. This is why the term
‘sustainable’ is used. The preservation of the world should be our prime focus
along with rapid growth of our economy. A path is only sustainable if the stock
of the capital assets is constant or rises with time.
The term
‘sustainable development’ was introduced by the International Union for the
Conservation of Natural Resources (IUNC) 1980 in their World Commission
Strategy report. According to them, sustainable development refers to the
development that meets our own needs without compromising with the needs of the
future generation.
AIMS
· Sustainable use of resources without
the taking anything away from the future generation
· Prevent further damage to our support
system – environment
· To conserve the biodiversity and
other resources for long-term needs
WAYS TO
ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
1.RESTRICT
THE USE OF RENEWABLE REOURCES
Renewable
resources should be extracted on a long-lasting and appropriate basis. What we
have started to do is extract them as much as we can with the hopes of making
profits without calculating if it is even needed or not.
2.SUBSTITUTE
NON-RENEWABLE WITH RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Non-renewable
resources like natural gas, oil, coal must be substituted with the renewable
ones. Non-renewable resources are something that cannot be made by the man. At
the rate that we are using these, it is definite that one day they will be
extinct, and nothing will be left for the future. Therefore, we need to
understand that only a certain amount of these resources must be used, and
majorly renewable resources should be used.
3.BECOME
INPUT EFFICIENT
The
technology that we are using right now must be used in a way that it produces
more of the input for renewable resources and not just consume them. It will
help to increase the production of renewable resources and eventually
non-renewable ones will be preserved.
4.POLLUTION
AND POPULATION CONTROL
The
extremely increasing pollution has already done enough damage to the ozone
layer as we all know. A very important part of the environment has already
started degrading because of our actions. This must be taken as a lesson by us
and we should keep a heed on our activities. Also, the increasing percentage of
human population is leading to an excessive use of resources and this needs to
be controlled.
