Question

“Edward Barbier defined Sustainable Development as a strategy which is directly concerned with increasing the material standard of living of the poor at the grass root level.” Elaborate the given statement.

Answer 1

Sustainable development seeks to meet the basic needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of the future generations. As per Edward Barbier, it must be used to increase the standard of living of the poor through measurable increases in income, educational and health services, sanitation, etc. The aim of sustainable development should be to reduce absolute poverty by creating livelihoods while minimising resource depletion, environmental harm, cultural disruption, and social instability.