SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Akash Yalagach Parth Sharma Sarvesh Kurane Sumit Tambe

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - Defined

STOCKHOLM DECLARATION, 1972
Man has the fundamental right to freedom, equality and adequate conditions of life, in an environment of a quality that permits a life of dignity and well being and he bears a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environment for

present and future generation.

 BRUNDTLAND COMMISSION REPORT, 1987

OUR COMMON FUTURE 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.

The idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and

social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.

A Sustainable State..
is one in which utility (for consumption) is non-declining through time.

is one in which resources are managed so as to maintain

production opportunities for the future. is one in which the natural capital stock is non-declining through time. is one in which resources are managed so as to maintain a sustainable yield of resource services. is one, which satisfies minimum conditions of ecosystem

stability and resilience through time.

TYPES
Sustainability is classified as follows: 1. Economic sustainability. 2. Environmental sustainability. 3. Social sustainability.

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY?

Environmental sustainability requires that the fundamental services provided by the environment be sustained at or above some minimum levels over time. Critical loads quantifying depletions, which may have significant negative impacts on the ecosystem in the long run. Take an example: Worlds forest cover is depleting at an alarming rate. Since we cannot completely stop it, the depletion might be limited so that the remaining stock is sufficient to maintain biodiversity at safe levels, to sustain timber supplies at adequate levels, and to absorb carbon dioxide emissions.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THE WORLD IS FACING

Climate change Global warming, Fossil fuels, Sea level rise, Greenhouse gas, Ocean acidification. Conservation Species extinction, Invasive species, Poaching, Endangered species. Energy Energy conservation, Renewable energy, Efficient energy use. Environmental degradation Eutrophication, Habitat destruction, Nuclear issues, Ozone depletion, Pollution. Resource Depletion. Waste.

HOW TO ACHIEVE?
Limiting the human population to a level of within carrying capacity of environment. Input efficient techniques should be used. Rate of extraction of renewable resources should not exceed rate of regeneration. Control over pollution. Conservation of natural resources. Encourage conservation of resources and necessary recycling. Investment in renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind, etc. Avoiding the imposition of added costs or risks on future generations, etc.

Need To Invest In Alternatives To Fossil Fuels

It would make strategic and environmental sense to pour more resources into the research and development of alternatives to fossil fuels.

 Fossil fuel-dependent industries cry foul of such suggestions,

but governments poured billions into fossil fuel development (before privatizing those industries). Perhaps in a similar way, given those industries are now mature, they do not need such support, but other industries

in renewable and alternatives could be created.

The higher prices at petrol pumps in recent months may be a blessing in disguise if it makes consumers also think more

about energy conservation and alternatives, for the market

may respond to that.

Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is one alternative to fossil fuels that many nations are considering, given their efficient and environmental friendliness during operation. Many (not all) environmentalists fear the consequences and costs of accidents and radioactive waste and say it is not worth it, and that other renewable alternatives should be invested in, instead. Despite environmental concerns, demand for nuclear power plants is on the increase, and the International Energy Agency estimates that more than $200bn will be spent by 2030 on harnessing the atom for energy output, notes the BBC. As an example, by 2050, India expects to have 25% of its energy provided by nuclear power, compared to the current 3%, according to another BBC article.

Shares of Energy Sources

Biodiversity Threat
It has long been feared that human activity is causing massive extinctions. Despite increased efforts at conservation, it has not

been enough and biodiversity losses continue.

The costs associated with deteriorating or vanishing ecosystems will be high. However, sustainable development and consumption would help avert ecological problems. Preserving species and their habitats is important for ecosystems to self-sustain themselves.

 Yet, the pressures to destroy habitat for logging, illegal hunting, and other challenges are making conservation a struggle. Rapid global warming can affect an ecosystems chances to adapt naturally.

The Arctic is very sensitive to climate change and already has

seen lots of changes. Ocean biodiversity is also being affected as are other parts of the ecosystem.

How to control?
A mechanism suggested for tackling climate change and warming
has been the idea of using Carbon Sinks to soak up carbon dioxide. To aid in this, reforestation, or planting of new forests, have been suggested. Industrialized nations can help pay off their carbon debt by truly helping emerging countries develop along a cleaner path, such as through the promised-but-barely-delivered technology transfer,

finance, and capacity building.

Consumption
How we consume, and for what purposes drives how we extract resources, create products and produce pollution and waste. Issues relating to consumption hence also affect

environmental degradation, poverty, hunger, and even the rise in obesity that is nearing levels similar to the official global poverty levels.

Battling consumption
Runaway growth in consumption in the past 50 years is putting strains on the environment never before seen.

Controlling consumption and efficient use of the available

resources is the only way out.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND INDIA

Use natural sources of energy as much as possible whenever

possible. Solar, water and wind energy go to waste everyday.

Rain water can be collected and filtered for washing and for

agriculture.
Cars should only be running on natural energy such as solar,

water, hydrogen or electricity.

 There should be more focus on ecological industrial fuel such

as white coal that is made from grass and from wood, solar

energy for heating and electricity, bio gas for heating and bio
diesel generators for industrial electricity. Plastic as we commonly know it should be banned and be replaced by biodegradable plastic, and when plastic is used it should always be recycled. All kinds of metal and glass should be recycled.

OUR CONCLUSION
Let communities define SD (based on their values, moral positions, informed by understandings afforded by science about effects and

consequences)
Have environmental policies and other sectorial policies (education, science, etc.) in the pursuit of SD. We are not against official sustainability concerns and targets, laid down in sustainability strategies at the national or local level, but a too narrow range of goals may act as a straight jacket. When used there should be mechanisms to adapt top-down policies.

References
Sustainable Development-by Anup Shah. Sustainability- MIT, USA. Sustainable Development- Wikipedia. Ministry of Environment and Forests. http://moef.nic.in/index.php CII - ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development.

The future is in our hands. Lets follow sustainable development and make our earth a better place to live.