Question

Define ‘sustainable development’. Why there is need of sustainable development.

Answer 1

• Sustainable development is a pattern of economic development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. Definition: The term 'sustainable development' (SD) was used by the Brundtland Commission which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development as:
• "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• 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."
• There is an additional focus on the present generations' responsibility to improve the future generations' life by restoring the previous ecosystem damage and resisting contributions to further ecosystem damage. Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social challenges faced by humanity.