You have probably heard this concept thousands of times. However, its definition is somewhat more complex and has an important background. When we think instinctively, we can see that it means something related to keeping something while improving or developing. The definition of sustainable development is important for the economic development of countries, for the conservation of natural resources and the health of both the environment and the human being.
For this reason, we are going to dedicate this complete article to knowing what the definition of sustainable development is, how it works and how important it is for the future of the new generations.
Definition of sustainable development and its origin
This concept was first discussed in 1987 in a publication of the Brundtland Report. This report included the main disadvantages and consequences of economic development based on fossil fuels and overexploitation of natural resources on the environment. The negative consequences of these events were dire. Globalization has its advantages, but also its drawbacks.
It is well known that the current economic model is not at all the most successful to maintain natural resources over time and be sustainable. A model based on the mass production of products for sale, use and disposal does not serve as something to sustain over time.
In order to eliminate the negative consequences of this economic model, sustainable development is born. Its definition refers to development that has the ability to meet the needs of current generations, using natural resources for this, but without compromising the availability of these for future generations.
An example of sustainable development can be to cut down trees in a controlled way as long as their repopulation is adapted and ensured. On the other hand, the consumption of oil to generate energy or products is not an activity linked to it. This is because it is not a renewable natural resource and, during its exploitation and use, the environment is polluted. It is not a resource that we can replace so that future generations can use them as we are doing today.
Sustainability and the main differences
Although they are very similar terms, we should not confuse the definition of sustainable development with sustainability. Sustainability is the objective that sustainable development seeks, so it is not a strategy, but an objective. This type of development aims to improve the quality of the environment and people's lives without endangering the same quality and livelihood for future generations.
The planet and its conservation is also an important factor to take into account. We not only want to make the human species survive in time, but also that it can do so with a fairly reasonable quality of life. What we must think is that the current life model exceeds the regeneration capacity of the planet. We waste a great deal of energy, water and other natural resources. Not only is that waste, but the origin of the same. If the electricity we waste comes from renewable sources whose production and use does not pollute, it may even be justified if it is for a good reason. However, wasting electricity, knowing that the origin of its energy is based on fossil fuels whose extraction and use pollutes the environment, is totally negative.
Sustainable development aims to achieve a balance in the use of resources so that it can be enjoyed without harming. As an ecological process it is defined in which ecological systems and their species continue in total balance with the resources that exist in their environment. The so-called ecological balance in which the species are in harmony with the environment. They survive, proliferate and compete depending on natural resources and interactions between species.
Sustainable development goals
Once the definition of sustainable development is given, we are going to explain what its main objectives are. These goals They are included in the 2030 Agenda that is approved by the United Nations. Thanks to this document, it has been possible to collect a great diversity of objectives, among which we have:
- Eliminate hunger and poverty through a more equitable distribution of goods and services around the world.
- Guarantee a healthy life for people and their well-being.
- Promote education to increase the quality of work to which they can aspire.
- Everyone in the world should have access to basic services such as clean water and sanitation.
- Less inequality.
- Access to cheaper and renewable energy to reduce pollution.
- Industries will be renewed to improve their services and infrastructures will be able to create sustainable communities.
- Responsible production and consumption of resources.
- Make decisions about climate change and the negative effects on the planet and human life.
- Achieve peace, justice and institutions that apply it correctly,
- Forge alliances between countries to, with this union, achieve real objectives.
Examples
To give examples and that we can understand how to exercise sustainable development both individually and on a large scale, we make the following list.
- The recycling of inorganic waste to be transformed into resources that can be reused and reincorporated in the life cycle of the products.
- Biodegradable garbage can be reused to compost in gardening or agriculture.
- Improve and increase solar power plants that produce renewable energy.
- Taking advantage of other renewable energies such as wind, tidal, hydraulic, wave, etc.
- Rainwater can be used, collected and stored for irrigation.
- Organic farming can advance resource conservation.
- Ecotourism to avoid damaging the environment that is visited.
- Sustainable mobility. This serves to avoid pollution in large cities.
As you can see, the definition of sustainable development is something important for the future of generations and the correct use of natural resources. Let's be aware that we have to make our planet last much longer in good condition.