Question

How is the issue of sustainability important for development? Explain with examples.

Answer 1

The issue of sustainability is important for development because development must be in tandem with the future. If natural resources are not sustained, then development will stagnate after a certain point in time. Exploiting resources unethically will ultimately undo the development that a country may have achieved. This is because, in the future, those resources will not be available for further progress.

Meeting the basic needs of all requires the distribution of resources, which is our moral responsibility. It becomes a moral obligation to hand over the earth to the future generation in good order. But, it is realised that if the resources (non-renewable) are utilized fully, then these will deplete so fast that they will not meet the production capacity of future generations. The economic development achieved today in such a manner cannot be sustained for a long time, as the production capacity of future generations in the absence of productive resources decreases. Therefore, sustainable development is the process of economic development that aims at meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainable development maximizes the welfare of both present and future generations. In other words, it is the process of economic growth that is sustained over a long period of time without causing any fall in the quality of life of future generations.

For example:

• In the energy sector, sustainable development shifts focus from using finite fossil fuels like coal and oil towards adopting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. This guarantees future energy security while mitigating climate change.
• In agriculture, instead of relying heavily on chemical fertilizers that degrade soil quality, a sustainable approach utilizes practices like crop rotation and organic farming to maintain long-term soil fertility and productivity.
• In urban planning, investing in efficient public transport systems and “green buildings” reduces pollution and resource consumption, creating cities that are healthier and more livable for generations to come.