Please discuss the concept of Sustainable Development in this Discussion Forum.
ID: 233617 • Letter: P
Question
Please discuss the concept of Sustainable Development in this Discussion Forum. The definition should be from 1/2 - 1 page in length. Please read about sustainable development on at least 2 websites, and include the references with your definition.
Sustainable development can apply to many scales of analysis; for example, we can employ sustainable development principles in local areas (site plan review, for example, increasing setbacks on water features), regions (by analyzing watersheds and airsheds), political unit (environmental policies), and global scale (international agreements and treaties). You can include discussions on Green Buildings and Alternative Energy. After you participate in the discussion, and read the comments posted by other students, write your own definition of Sustainable Development and submit it in this discussion forum.
Explanation / Answer
Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Thus, sustainable development is the organizing principle for sustaining finite resources necessary to provide for the needs of future generations of life on the planet. It is a process that envisions a desirable future state for human societies in which living conditions and resource-use continue to meet human needs without undermining the "integrity, stability and beauty" of natural biotic systems.Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social, political, and economic challenges faced by humanity. Sustainability science is the study of the concepts of sustainable development and environmental science. There is an additional focus on the present generations' responsibility to regenerate, maintain and improve planetary resources for use by future generations.
Alternative energy is clean and can be used over a long period of time. Unlike fossil fuels that most countries are using, renewable energy only produces little or even no pollution. The most common types of renewable energy in US are hydroelectric, solar and wind energy. Solar energy is commonly used on public parking meters, street lights and the roof of buildings.
One of the core concepts in sustainable development is that technology can be used to assist people meet their developmental needs. Technology to meet these sustainable development needs is often referred to as appropriate technology, A study concluded that social indicators and, therefore, sustainable development indicators, are scientific constructs whose principal objective is to inform public policy-making.The International Institute for Sustainable Development has similarly developed a political policy framework,