Integrated Approaches to Sustainable Development Practice Introduction to the Challenges of Sustainable Development Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs September 8, 2009

Brundtland Commission, 1987: Sustainable Development is: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

In practical terms, Sustainable Development entails: Rising material wellbeing of the poor, at a pace that narrows the proportionate gap with the rich Continued scope for improved material wellbeing of the rich Sustainable functioning of the Earth’s ecosystems, including Conservation of the Earth’s biodiversity Is this feasible?!

The World is NOT Currently Achieving Sustainable Development Many countries are stuck in extreme poverty The Earth’s ecosystems are not being sustained The situation is probably getting worse, not better right now

FIVE DEEP PROCESSES OF GLOBALIZATION 1.Global Economic Convergence The rise of Asia; continued stagnation in much of Africa 2. Ecosystem Pressures Climate change; oil and gas depletion water stress; land degradation; species extinction 3. Demographic Change Rising global population; aging; large increases in Africa and South Asia 4.Extreme Poverty Poverty traps; instability and violence in impoverished countries 5. Instability Financial instability; geopolitical uncertainties; non-state violence

“The Age of Convergence” How the regions outside of the U.S., Europe, and Japan are narrowing the gap with the technological leaders and thereby reshaping the global economy

Projections of GNP in US, China, and India

Demography: A still-rising world population, young in the poor countries and aging in the middle-income and rich countries Will the world population stabilize in the 21 st Century and if so at what level?

ECOSYSTEM STRESSES The rise in global population and world output is putting unprecedented stresses on the physical environment, and in countless ways: climate change, land-use change, ecosystem degradation, emerging diseases, invasive species, and more

Major Adverse Human Effects on the Environment include: Climate Change Resource Depletion (fossil fuels, water, soils, habitat, biodiversity) Species Extinction Loss of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (e.g. protection from flooding) Invasive species Emerging Diseases (e.g. SARS, AIDS)

EXTREME POVERTY IN AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD Why are some parts of the world still trapped in poverty despite overall global convergence, and what can be done about it?

Headcount Poverty Rate as calculated by the World Bank (2008) Chen and Revallion, 2008

Other dimensions of poverty

Some Instruments of Sustainable Development Global Cooperation: MDGs and UNFCCC Targeted Research and Development: Renewable Energy Social Entrepreneurship: Microfinance Global Public Investments: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria Development of Global Ethics

The Four Components of Sustainable Development Practice: Natural Sciences Policy Sciences Management Leadership