Introduction sustainability
Introduction sustainability
The word “sustainability” has become a global buzzword as a potential solution for the many international, regional, and local problems facing society today. As developing nations struggle with issues of overpopulation, disease, and political conflict, developed countries also have to deal with problems such as infrastructure deterioration, pollution, and unlimited urban expansion with limited resources. The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development coined a definition of sustainable development, which is probably the most well-known in all of the sustainability literature: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WECD, 1987). According to MSN Encarta (WWW), the word “sustainable” means “able to be maintained”. However, from the number of published books and articles in professional journals, there seem to be many contrasting views and opinions as to exactly what “sustainability” is, if and how it can be achieved or in some cases, whether it is an elusive dream of attaining the so-called ‘heaven on earth’. The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant and contrasting views on sustainable resource use and sustainable development, with some practical examples of the application of sustainable strategies in a local, national and regional context. The paper presents a few popular basic concepts of sustainability and its application in natural resource use and development. A brief history is given of the evolving environmental concerns about increasing resource use, as well as a review of the contrasting arguments of the benefits and/or detrimental effects of environmental degradation to human welfare. The complexity of sustainable development is also discussed in the light of international conventions and agreements. Four case studies are finally assessed in the application of sustainable strategies to local, national and regional issues, as well as the role of international agencies in local or national strategies, each with a brief summary of opportunities gained and lessons learnt from initial objectives to practical application of sustainable measures.
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The word “sustainability” has become a global buzzword as a potential solution for the many international, regional, and local problems facing society today. As developing nations struggle with issues of overpopulation, disease, and political conflict, developed countries also have to deal with problems such as infrastructure deterioration, pollution, and unlimited urban expansion with limited resources. The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development coined a definition of sustainable development, which is probably the most well-known in all of the sustainability literature: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WECD, 1987). According to MSN Encarta (WWW), the word “sustainable” means “able to be maintained”. However, from the number of published books and articles in professional journals, there seem to be many contrasting views and opinions as to exactly what “sustainability” is, if and how it can be achieved or in some cases, whether it is an elusive dream of attaining the so-called ‘heaven on earth’. The purpose of this paper is to review the relevant and contrasting views on sustainable resource use and sustainable development, with some practical examples of the application of sustainable strategies in a local, national and regional context. The paper presents a few popular basic concepts of sustainability and its application in natural resource use and development. A brief history is given of the evolving environmental concerns about increasing resource use, as well as a review of the contrasting arguments of the benefits and/or detrimental effects of environmental degradation to human welfare. The complexity of sustainable development is also discussed in the light of international conventions and agreements. Four case studies are finally assessed in the application of sustainable strategies to local, national and regional issues, as well as the role of international agencies in local or national strategies, each with a brief summary of opportunities gained and lessons learnt from initial objectives to practical application of sustainable measures.
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