Sustainable Development Essay example -- Environment Ecology Essays Pa

Sustainable learningSustainable development was defined in the Bruntland Report in 1983 asdevelopment which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future tense generations to meet their own needs. (Dresner, 31) This is a satisfactorydefinition for almost people, however, when it comes down to the policies of sustainabledevelopment, the definition given proves dangerously vague. Interpretations that stemfrom it can range from do not touch either of the earths subjective resources ever again touse them up as quickly as possible.There are three main philosophies behind sustainability weak, strong, andenvironmental. Weak sustainability states that the total expectant of the earth must notdecrease. That means that the natural roof (oil, coal, forests, etc.) can decrease as long as the sum of physical (produced means of take technology) and human (peoplesphysical ability to do work) capital increase at the same rate or higher. Thus, thisapproach assumes t hat most, if not all, natural capital can be substituted by technology.Strong sustainability differs from this in that it assumes that very little natural capital can be substituted. It deems human-made capital and natural capital straighten out entities, thus the natural capital must not decline. Economists have trouble with this idea because it seems like it is hindering the current generation in order for future generations to become vastly more wealthy assuming that the physical capital will increase with time. While they might furrow their brow at this theory, any self-respecting economist gets short of breath at the thought of environmental sustainability. This approach calls for natural resources to be left alone. It says... .... Education is the catalyst for helpingeveryone recognise the dynamic nature of the interrelationship ofecology/environment, economy/employment, and equity/equality. (Edwards, 23) The environment is to be preserved as much as possible while distill ery strengthening the economyand achieving the sense of community that goes along with controlling population andenergy use with equity.Works CitedBeckerman, Wilfred. A Poverty of Reason Sustainable Development and EconomicGrowth. Oakland, CA The Independent Institute, 2003.Dresner, Simon. The Principles of Sustainability. London Earthscan Publications Ltd.,2002.Edwards, Andres R. Sustianability Revolution Portrait of a Paradigm Shift. Canada NewSociety, 2005.Smith, Lee. The Next Big Thing. Fortune 25 Dec. 2006 24.Stronberg, Joel B. More Than solar. Solar Today Sept. 2005 8.