We enjoy nature! We visit forests, mountains, rivers, oceans, wildlife for our recreation. But what about our future generation? We should think that they also should be able to enjoy the nature. "Sustainable development is the development that fulfils the needs of the present; without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The aim of sustainable development is to balance our economic, environmental and social needs for now and future generations.
Need for sustainable development
Sustainability is improving quality of human life; while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems. If natural resources on the earth are conserved, maintained and enhanced, the ecological processes would work smoothly. The raw materials for the industry, food, water, fuel, fodder come from the environment. The environment also absorbs the waste created by our developmental activities. Thus it acts as a source and also a sink for us. Sustainable development will lead to true economic growth. This will be reflected in equitable distribution of economic benefits; which in turn will help to bridge the gap between poor and rich people in the society. If we look at the scenario around us, we can see an increase in population followed by excessive use of natural resources. This is because of the increased demands and needs of growing population. As the economic conditions of the people in urban area started improving, their purchasing power increased. People started purchasing electronic goods, metal and plastic articles. This led to consumerism. Advancement in technologies, globalization, rapid changes in lifestyle, access and desire to luxury goods and consumerism are the main causes of rapid depletion of natural resources and deterioration of the environment.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Sustainable development goals are a collection of seventeen
global goals designed to be a "blue print to achieve a better and more sustainable
future for all." The SDG's set in 2015 by United Nations (UN) general
assembly and intended to be achieved by 2030.
Challenges for sustainable development
1) Population growth - As the world population is growing
there is a peer pressure on the available resources. Today world’s population
is approximately 7.7 billion and India's population is approximately 1.32 billion.
The rate at which these resources are being exploited by such a large
population, they would not last for longer time.
2) Exploitation of natural resources - Exploitation of
natural resources started to emerge on an industrial scale in 19th century. Timber,
coal, metals, oil, natural gas, subsoil minerals, water and many more resources
are being exploited for industrial and commercial uses. Progress and
development of new technologies and equipment's changes in life styles led to
use of various appliances at work place, home, in industry and agriculture.
This led to over use of natural resources. To reduce the exploitation of these
natural resources is a big challenge.
3) Poverty - In underdeveloped and developing countries, poverty
is a big challenge. Sustainable development must also look for the basic needs
of poor and deprived people, as they also aspire for better life.
4) Unequal distribution of resources - Consumption of
resources per capita in developed countries like U.S is about 50 times greater
than the consumption per capita in developing countries. U.S.A. alone with 4%
of world population, consumes about 25% of the world’s resources. Even within
the country, there is disparity in the use of resources like water. When large
dams are constructed, huge tracts of forests and agricultural lands of affected
people are utilized for the dam. These local people, whose livelihood are
linked to this land are displaced to some other places.
5) Consumerism - In growing economy, people have more purchasing
power. This leads to more consumption of various goods for luxury. Production
of a variety of electronic, plastic, metal goods are a major source of
attraction/desire in the market. To follow the path of sustainable development,
people to change their life style and do with less. In practice, people are
reluctant to do so. This is one of the big challenges to sustainable development.
6) Education and unemployment - Illiteracy is a major
challenge for sustainable development. Poor people can’t afford to educate their
children. They are unable to get employment as they have no quality education.
This vicious circle continues. Population increase in the country is also one
of the reasons for the unemployment.
7) Awareness - Common people are not at all aware about the
fact that resources on this earth are limited and that non-renewable resources
will not even get generated once they are used up. This is the reason that
these resources should be used judiciously. People should realize what are
their actual needs before purchasing.
8) Government Policy - To achieve the goals of sustainable development,
the government has to take certain hard decisions and implement different
schemes. It should restructure the cost of all goods, considering the
environmental cost of their production. Similarly, non-conventional energy sources
like solar, wind energy, bio-gas based appliances should be subsidized. Rain
water harvesting systems also should be given subsidies. Government should
implement schemes to achieve sustainable goals.
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability to produce
food without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem and to human health. It
has biophysical, socio-economic and environmental aspects.
- The impact of various agricultural practices should not affect crop productivity in the long term.
- Farmers should add the necessary inputs (use of bio fertilizers and bio pesticides etc.), manage the resources.
- In agricultural practices use natural resources such as water and land carefully.
- A way of moving towards that goal is to make a gradual shift from chemical agriculture to organic farming.
