The concept of sustainable development emerged in the 1980s when concern
started to grow about the effects human activity was having on the earths
natural systems. It became apparent that human development was destroying
the earths resources at a faster rate than they could regenerate, critical
thresholds were being approached and in some cases exceeded.
How can it be achieved
Sustainable development is about achieving a better quality of life
for everyone, now and for generations to come. In essence, the needs
of the present should not compromise the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs. To achieve sustainable development, all four
objectives must be met globally:
Social progress that recognises the needs of everyone
Effective protection of the environment
Prudent use of natural resources
Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
Agenda 21 - a global action plan for Sustainable Development
At the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, heads of government from over 170 countries
signed Agenda 21- a global action plan for sustainable development with
the vision to meet development needs without damaging the planet. The
plan recognised the importance of involving young people to carry the
vision into the future and saw education as critical for promoting sustainable
development and improving the ability of people to address environmental
and development issues.
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