How Are Sustainability and Development Connected?

Sustainable Development

A) According to Kates, R.W., Parris, T.M., and Leiserowitz, A.A. (2005). What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is taking into account the needs of different stakeholders in order to create practices and policies which are realistic and effective.

Brundtland Report argues that environment and development are inseparable. Explain why?

The environment and development work in conjunction with each other. This is because natural resources are finite and must be sustained in a particular area (i.e. development). When there is damage to the environment, this makes it harder to manage natural resources and destroys the ecosystem. Once this takes place, is the point irreversible damage is inevitable and it devastates any kind of development that is occurring. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

What is the standard definition of sustainable development defined by the Brundtland's report? This is the first full definition, but the definition is ambiguous. Why?

Sustainable development is engaging in activities that will ensure a balance in maintaining growth with natural resources in the area for future generations. This definition is ambiguous because it is taking a one size fits all approach. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

3. The U.S. National Academy of Sciences expanded the definition explaining what to be sustained, for how long, and what is to be developed. Explain the expanded definition.

The U.S. National Academy of Sciences found that there are other aspects to be included in the definition such: wildlife, the ecosystem, natural resources and the needs of people. These policies are to be sustained in definitely and they focus on activities that will protect them. This was expanded to offer a better explanation of what is occurring. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

4. What are the three pillars of sustainable development? Describe them.

The three pillars of sustainable development include: social, environment and economic. Social is taking into account the needs of society and contemporary attitudes. The environment is the ecosystem, natural resources and wildlife within it. Economic is the requirements for maintaining responsible growth and development. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

5. What is the UN Millennium Declaration? List the eight major goals.

The eight objectives of the UN Millennium Declaration include: poverty eradication, universal primary education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating infectious diseases (i.e. HIV / malaria), environmental sustainability and creating a global partnership for development. ("Background," 2015) (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

6. The article talks about three sets of goals including the short-term, the two-generation goals, and the long-term goals. What are the major differences between these goals?

Short-term goals are steps to make changes with the current generation. Two generational objectives are focusing on those steps the present and next generation can do. Long-term goals are something future generations can take part in. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

7. Explain why sustainable development can be viewed as social movement.

A social movement is when greater society realizes the importance and the impact it will have on them. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

8. Based on the article sustainable development is attached from two very different perspectives? Explain.

One perspective believes that the ecology and management of natural resources works in conjunction with each other. The second view is that a more conservative approach must be taken. (Kates, Parris, & Leiserowitz, 2005)

9. What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?

Sustainability is engaging in practices that will meet the needs of the ecology. Sustainable development is when these views are taken into consideration and applied to the environment / economic growth. (Doppelt, 2010)