Lecture- 13 & 14: Environment, Development & Sustainable Development Presented by Abul Kalam Azad Senior Lecturer, GED Northern University Bangladesh Objectives 1.To Define Sustainable Development 2.To Detect the relationship among environment and Development 3.To Discuss moral development as a key to Sustainable Development 1

Introduction Over the past several decades especially after the creation of UNDP, many international organizations, thinking that economic growth or increase in GDP was the main indicator of development, had attempted to accelerate economic growth through their development activities all over the world. But the aftermaths of those efforts were devastating on our environment since their development activities caused environmental pollution, shortage of energy resources, unequal consumption of resources, loss of biodiversity, deforestation and natural 2

calamities like flood, cyclone, hurricane etc, which ultimately influenced overall economy by creating crises and unsustainability. As a result, the concept ‘sustainable development’ emerged aiming at sustaining and balancing major three aspects of development: social, economic and environ-mental. Let’s, first of all, define the concept ‘sustainable development’. 3

Definition of Sustainable Development Sustainable development means different things to different people. There are over 100 definitions of sustainable development, but the most frequently quoted definition is from the report “Our Common Future” (also known as the Brundtland Report): "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." According to this definition, future generations should have the same right to a healthy environment and natural resources as we ourselves. 4

But sustainable development means more than conservation. Sustainable deve- lopment, in fact, relates equally to the three domains: economy, environment and society. In order to achieve sustainable development, 1.environmental policies need to be socially and economically feasible; 2.social policies need to be environ- mentally and economically feasible; 3.economic policies need to be socially and environmental feasible. These inter-linkages that contribute to sustainable development can be visualized in a simple diagram : 5

Figure: Sustainable Development 6

Initiatives on Sustainable Development The issue of sustainable development was first addressed in the First Earth Summit held in Rio de Generio, Brazil in The Millennium Declaration of the UN also highlighted the significance of sustainable development. After ten years of First Earth Summit, the UN Conference of Environment and Development (UNCED) organized a world summit named World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26 th August to 4 th September, Although another Summit was held in Kyoto, Japan (1997) to review the progress of the Earth Summit

Earth Summit 1992: The Earth Summit in 1992 first attempted to highlight the importance of sustainability. As the largest gathering of the world leaders in history, the summit was attended by 152 world leaders including 35,000 participants. Two important treaties were signed. The world leaders devised strategies to halt environmental degradation. On the last day, Rio Declaration was published which consisted of 27 principles, Agenda 21, a 40 chapter compilation of goals, programs and projects. As a result, UN General Assembly formed UNCSD in December, 1992 to review progress of the summit. 8

World Summit on Sustainable Development This is the second summit on sustainable development. With world leaders of 84 countries and 40,000 delegates, the 10 day long WSSD was held in Johannesburg from 26 th August to 4 th September, It was organized by the 10 th session of the UN Commission of Sustainable Development known as CSD-10. The final round of the summit was attended by 110 heads of state or government, 80 senior representatives and 65,000 representatives of 190 countries. The aims and objectives of the summit were to: 1.Review and evaluate Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 9

2.Avoid unsustainable production and consumption 3.Relate environment with development 4.Exert pressure on developed countries mainly responsible for Green I louse gas emission 5.Make the world conscious about the component of world development­ among various issues; five of them were elaborately discussed. They are (1) Water and sewerage; (2) Energy; (3) Agricultural production; (4) Health and 5) Biodiversity 10

Sustainable Development Declaration: Representatives in the Johannesburg summit elaborately discussed different issues relatedto development and finally adopted Johannesburg Declaration. This was divided into two parts: Plan of action and Its Implementation The plan of Action included issues closely related to sustainability of development. Most important of them are 1) poverty 2) water quality and availability of cleaner energy 3) AID production and consumption 4) women Rights and 5) environment. 11

And, the Johannesburg Declaration called upon the world to materialize 'The Plan of Implementation' for achieving sustainable development. Some of the major aspects of implementation are briefly described below: 1.Poverty Alleviation: Poverty, the greatest challenge for sustainable development must be eradicated. The declaration asked the countries to halve the proportion of the world people whose daily income is one dollar by the year For this, every country should devise and execute its national sustainable development plan. They should ensure primary education for all, deliver basic health services, construct rural infrastructures, increase food availability and provide financial support to the poor. 12

2.Health: In 1992, the Earth Summit declared human beings as the focal point of sustainable development. The sustainability of development will never be possible without healthy and skilled population. So, governments should provide basic health services, develop partnership in health education, reduce mortality rate, promote traditional medicine and invent new vaccines to ensure sound health of the people. 3.Natural Resources and Biodiversity: Natural resources constitute the everlasting sources of all developmental efforts. Therefore, all countries should protect the eco-system and biodiversity, prevent water pollution, minimize industrial pollution, mitigate ground water contamination and ensure optimum of natural resources. 13

4.Sustainable Production and Consumption: Most of the third world countries produce and consume in such traditional ways that are not suitable for sustainable development. So, they must explore new ways for innovative creations, utilize indigenous energy resources and ensure grass root level participation in community activities. 5.Global sustainable Development: Sustainable development should not be perceived in a local perspective but in a global concern. To ensure global development for all, we must promote equitable multilateral trading and financial system, boost trade-related technical assistance and ensure decision making rights in all international organizations. 14

Conclusion The world leaders often start their speech with the tall talk of development but this will always be political rhetoric and sustainable development will never be possible unless the rich countries accept equitable sharing of business, trade, technology and other facilities with the poor countries. Otherwise, we have to say 'You have failed us' as said by representative in the Johannesburg Summit. 15