Sustainable Development Doesn't Burden Future Generations

The Brundtland Commission's report defined sustainable development as "development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Yet, some journals proclaim the relationships between science, society and policy can advance consumer understanding of the definition and practice of sustainable development. Ironically, the essence of sustainable development is to deal with two concerns. One is the concern for maintaining, if not enhancing, the conditions for living. This includes meeting needs and aspirations, protecting the planet, providing a better quality of life and the list goes on. Another concern is for handing on an acceptable inheritance to future generations. This is expressed in terms as not compromising the future, bequeathing in good order, abstaining from burdening future generations.

In fact, we can further understand the concept of sustainable development by looking at three dimensions which are environmental, social and economy. Nowadays, environmental protection is one of the core values in sustainable development. Environmental degradation occurs when there is deterioration of the natural environment including the atmosphere, water, soil and forests. Shortage of food, clean water, materials for shelter and other essential resources are caused by these environmental problems. People, especially the poor who depend on natural resources that are gradually degrading like forests, land, air, and water will be affected the most as their supplies of food and other resources are damaged. Eradicating poverty by achieving an equitable and sustainable development without environment detriment becomes consumer issues in development.

Moreover, w...

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...pressure on natural resources by making more efficient use of them.

Economics of sustainability is mainly concerned with the quality of growth, rather than the quantity of growth. Analysts have made two important observations regarding the current growth models. The first is that as emerging economies continue to grow, most of the wealth is accumulated in the hands of a few wealthy individuals, leading to large inequality in society. The second is that economic growth increases well-being in society, but only to the extent to which it provides for the basic needs of people. Beyond that, growth makes hardly any marginal contribution to well-being, while having damaging impacts on the environment. Therefore, sustainable development definitely has to take into account economic dimensions that supporting ways for people to create wealth without harming the ecosystems.