history of sustainable development in 200 to 300 words
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Sustainable development (SD) refers to a model of human development in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
The term ‘sustainable development’ was used by the Brundtland Commission (1987) which coined what has become the most often-quoted definition of sustainable development “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainable development does not focus solely on environmental issues. The United Nations 2005 World Summit Outcome Document refers to the four ‘interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars’ of sustainable development as including: economic development, social development and environmental protection. The fourth pillar is indigenous people and culture.
Proponents of Sustainable Development argue that it provides a context in which overall sustainability is improved where cutting edge Green development is unattainable. For example, a cutting edge treatment plant with extremely high maintenance costs may not be sustainable in regions of the world with fewer financial resources.
An environmentally ideal plant that is shut down due to bankruptcy is obviously less sustainable than one that is maintainable by the community, even if it is somewhat less effective from an environmental standpoint.
During the last ten years, different organisations have tried to measure and monitor the proximity to what they consider sustainability by implementing what has been called sustainability metric and indices. Sustainable development is said to set limits on the developing world. While current developed countries pollute significantly during their development, the same countries encourage developing countries to reduce pollution, which sometimes impedes growth.