Environmentally sustainable development

Our society depends on the maintenance and protection of the environment. Ecological communities provide exergy (high quality energy), materials and information required for the human societies to sustain themselves. Urban development, agriculture, mineral/oil extraction, fisheries, and forestry practices can threaten the very existence of ecosystems and alter/eliminate important habitats, key species and people’s way of life.

Sustainability is the capacity to endure. Sustainability is a state of balance between resource use and the regenerative capacity of the earth. Sustainability lies in the interplay of environmental quality, economic vitality and social equity.

Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability refers to the maintenance of natural capital (e.g., natural resources). The term ‘natural capitalism’ was coined by Paul Hawken in 1994. Natural capital is equivalent to ecological wealth which refers to the resources and services provided by nature.  In other words natural capital is comprised of environmental resources and ecological services that can be used for life and factors of production. The human economy depends on the planet’s natural capital and the utilization of natural capital beyond its regenerative capacity results in depletion of the capital stock. The factors depleting natural capital include over-population, poverty, unsustainable resource use, environmentally degrading economic policies, and technological inputs.

The natural capital performs 3 distinct types of environmental functions:

1. Provision of resources for production - the raw materials that become food, fuels, metals, minerals, timber etc.
2.  Absorption of waste from production – both from the production process and from the disposal of consumer goods.
3. Basic ecological services – e.g., climate control, shielding of UV radiation by ozone layer, air/ water purification, water storage, nutrient/mineral cycling, soil renewal, waste treatment etc.

Concept of critical natural capital (CNC) – the concept originates from the idea that there is a certain minimal amount of natural capital necessary for ecosystems (ecosystem limits) to continue to function and provide services for its inhabitants. It is an ecosystem’s ability to support an adequate standard of living for human beings which includes drinking water, food, shelter, a moderate climate and resources for production.

It indicates human demand on the biological capacity of the earth.

Ecological sustainability

Ecological sustainability can be described as ‘securing quality of life within the limits of nature. Ecological sustainability is a conservation concept-meeting human need without compromising the health of ecosystems.

 It is the capacity of natural ecosystems to maintain their essential functions and processes and retain their biodiversity in full measure over a long period of time. Achieving ecological sustainability is a balancing act between current needs and future needs.

Sustainable development

Equity, security and the environment are the key  elements of the definition of sustainable development.Sustainable development can best be visualized in ‘the critical triangle of development’ with 3Es: environmental (ecological development), equity (social development) and economic development. Economic development has to do with the creation of material wealth (goods and services) to meet the human basic needs. Ecological development means protection and conservation of our natural resources. Sustainable should also guarantee inter and intra generation equality with respect to meeting all basic needs. In general sustainable economic development improves the economy without undermining the society and the environment.
  In 1983, the United Nations called for a high level commission, the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), commonly known as the Brundtland Commission. In 1987, its final report ‘our common future’ stressed the need for economic growth and development strategies in all countries that recognized the limits of the ecosystem’s ability to regenerate itself and absorb waste products.

Definitions of sustainable development

·       The sustainable development is defined as ‘forms of progress that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (our common future, 1987: The world commission on environment and development).

·       The sustainable development is defined as the maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems, the preservation of genetic diversity and the sustainable utilization of species and ecosystems (IUCN/WWF/UNESCO,1991).

·       The sustainable development is the improvement in the quality of human life within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.

Concepts related to  sustainable development 

1.    Introduces the idea of a strong link between economic growth and natural resources/environment.

2.    Introduces the idea of a complex relationship between growth and the environment, drawing attention to the need of environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, social sustainability and the need for conciliation in conflicts between these different dimensions.

3.    Asserts that ‘zero’ economic growth can be as harmful to the environment as uncontrolled economic growth.

4.    Introduces the idea that the fight against poverty, for social justice and quality of life are essential aims in order to ensure sustainability in environmental, economic and social terms and

5.    Asserts the idea that sustainability is not a linear process and cannot be gauged against a single and developmental model.

Green economy

Green economy is an economic development model based on sustainable development and knowledge of ecological economics. This concept is often associated with ideas such as “low-carbon growth or green growth.” In green economy, the environment is an “enabler” of economic growth and human well being. Green economy includes green energy generation based on renewable energy as an alternative to fossil fuels and energy conservation for efficient energy use. Karl Burkart defines a green economy as based on 6 main aspects: Renewable energy, Green buildings, Sustainable transport, water management, Waste management and Land management. The Rio Declaration recognizes the “integral and independent nature of the Earth, our Home” and in principles 1 and 3 that humans are “entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature” and the development must “equitably meet developmental and environmental needs of present and future generations.”