Summary - Selection 39

Towards Sustainable Development by World Commission on Environment and Development

Meeting the needs of future generations as well as our current needs, sustainable development should be a high priority on a global scale. If we can succeed in sustainable development we are ensuring a better life for our future generations. Keeping within the bounds of the ecologically possible we still need to consider social and culture needs for each part of the world. Productivity and equitable opportunities also comes in hand with distributing resources depending on population size. We cannot danger our natural systems in enforcing sustainable development, but to work with them in a ways that we do not deplete them rapidly or abuse our privilege of using them. If we deplete resources such as forests too quickly, we may not be able to replenish in a timeline allowing for re-growth.

Problems arise because areas requiring action do not always coincide with political jurisdictions. Similar zones that cross two states or countries may have different policies on what "being sustainable" is, leading to major inconsistencies in trying to encourage sustainable development. Common interest is key, but difficult as the solution must make everybody happen and work for the Earth as a system whole. Because there are difficulties in promoting sustainable development with a common interest it is often neglected through areas of economic and social justice. There needs to be an enhancement in current technologies and extension of these technologies to the third world as to level off the playing field. On top of that, past failures need to be considered during technology design to reduce failure.

Communities need the knowledge and support in order to "upgrade" to a sustainable lifestyle. Involving the public is usually a good idea when you are trying to make alterations to lifestyles, especially if for the better. The authors of this reading also believe that free access to information and to have alternative resources available to them can help greatly. Public and Private sector enterprises also need to change and move beyond the typical safety inspections, environmental objects, zoning laws, etc. Promoting harmony and health among human beings should be the main priority of this world, and it is required for political members to be able to provide for their people which would include the sustainable development practise that will hopefully ease problems for our future generations.