1.3B Sustainable development Notes

1. Sustainable development integrates the principles of sustainability into human progress.
2. It aims to balance economic growth, social equity, and environmental protection to meet current needs without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
3. This concept goes beyond environmental preservation.
4. It provides a global development framework for governments, businesses, and societies.

Key Aspects of Sustainable Development

1. Economic Stability: Ensuring that economic growth continues without overexploiting resources or causing long-term environmental harm.
2. Social Equity & Well-being: Promoting fair access to resources, education, healthcare, and employment for all.
3. Ecological Integrity: Protecting ecosystems, biodiversity, and natural resources to maintain the balance of Earth's systems.

The Brundtland Report (1987) & Its Impact

1. The Brundtland Report, officially known as Our Common Future, introduced the social and economic aspects of sustainability to the sustainable development framework.
2. It emphasized that development should not come at the expense of environmental protection and called for global cooperation in addressing sustainability challenges.
3. The report shaped international policies and led to major environmental agreements, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Development

1. Environmental Protection

1. Preserve biodiversity and natural capital.
2. Reduce pollution, deforestation, and overexploitation.
3. Promote renewable energy and sustainable resource use.

2. Economic Growth

1. Promote efficient, low-waste production.
2. Internalize environmental costs (e.g., carbon pricing).
3. Encourage innovation and green technologies.

3. Social Equity

1. Improve access to education, healthcare, and resources.
2. Reduce inequality and poverty.
3. Empower communities and promote gender equality.

Models of Sustainable Development

1. The Brundtland Model (Three Equal Pillars)

1. Treats all three dimensions (social, economic, environmental) as equally important.
2. Strength: holistic vision of human progress.
3. Weakness: assumes economy and society can operate independently of the environment, ignoring natural resource limits.

2. The Giddings Model (Nested Circles)

1. Recognizes the hierarchical relationship between systems:
   1. Environment is the outermost system that supports all life.
   2. Society exists within the environment.
   3. Economy operates within society.
2. This model better reflects ecological reality, showing that all human activity ultimately depends on the environment.