Sustainable development - Essay Example

The needs of future generations are being met by current policies of sustainable development Introduction Sustainable development can be referred to as an organizing principle for the human life on a limited planet. Sustainable development posits an attractive future condition for human societies in which the resource use and living conditions meet the human necessities. However, the developments should be mindful of undermining the sustainability of the environment and natural systems. Undermine of these two fundamental aspects will put the future generation in a situation where their needs cannot be met. It is hence evident that the well-being of the future generation’s life conditions is solely dependent on the events that will currently take place in the efforts of achieving sustainable development. This essay will discuss the needs of the future generation and the interrelation that is in existence between the future people’s needs and the current sustainable development’s policies. Discussion Sustainable development entails the development that meets the current necessities without comprising the aptitude of the future generations to meet their personal needs. The modern lifestyles can easily cause scarcity of natural resources, destroy the ecosystems, increase social inequality, cause pollution as well as causing climatic change. The solution to these problems solely lies on the current policies of the sustainable development (Kates, 2002). The solution will, however, be achieved if the current policies will be well formulated to respond favorably to the diverse necessities of the current generation as well as the future generations. Sustainable development provides for the humankind the fundamental necessities. The provision is, however, made with violence to the natural structures of life on earth. However, these developments require environmental, economic restrictions and social awareness as society is confronted (Dunphy 2001, p.34). It is hard to separate the people’s well being from the earth’s well being. The aspect forms the first point that proves that sustainable development’s current policies affect the meeting of the future generation’s needs. Demands of the future people increase significantly, and the trend will continue without end because they will find that will satisfy their lives. Apparently, their necessities will be far beyond the necessities of the current generations. The fact hence shows that the sustainable developments should incorporate great importance of protection of the earth and its resources. Failure to protect the earth resources will automatically cause numerous problems to the future generations (Everett 2011, p.40). First of all, the consumption of fundamental factors such as water, electricity and food as the current sustainable development’s policies will recommend, may likely cause the resources to be inadequate in the future. The aspect, therefore, clearly shows that the availability of these fundamental necessities to the future generation depends on the rate at which these resources will be currently consumed. If the policies that will be laid down in the efforts of achieving current sustainable developments will exhaust these factors, the future generation’s needs hence be hard to be met in reference to these factors (Cordonier et al. 2011, p.13). The availability of natural resources to be used by the future generations is also dependent on the current sustainable development’s policies that will be formulated. The main aim of sustainable development is improving the living conditions of the current generation of human beings. It incorporates both economic and social developments. The concentration of improvement of only the current generation tends to be inconsiderate of the well being of the future ecological and environmental soundness. If the policies fail to incorporate a continuous rejuvenation of the natural resources, the future generation will suffer a deficiency in natural resources which are one of the basic providers of human needs (Pinderhughes 2003, p.52). These natural resources include aspects such energy sources. Humanity cannot survive without an energy source. If the current sustainable development’s policies demand excessive use of these natural resources without putting into considerations the future, the future generation will only access limited amount of these resources. The aspect will cause the demand for these resources such as energy to surpass their supply. The cost of these resources will consequently increase rapidly. The increase in cost of these basic resources will, therefore, increase the cost of accessing basic needs of this particular generation. The hard it will be to access the basic needs the hard it will be for this generation to meet its needs. The aspect hence proves the statement that the current sustainable development’s policies affect how the future generation will meet their needs as true (Everett 2011, p.41). Similarly, if the current sustainable development’s policies will tend to concentrate more with the use traditional fossil fuels in its operations, these resources will become entirely depleted. The major risk that is associated with depletion of these fossil fuels is because they are non-renewable resources. The aspect hence clearly shows that the future generation will not be capable of accessing these resources at all. They will, therefore, be forced to look for alternate resources that will serve the same purpose. The aspect would in one way or the other harden that generation’s modes of operations more so if these fuels were the most recommendable alternative for the activities they will be involved in as they try to meet their needs (Cordonier et al. 2011, p.14). Economic growth is one of the aspects that are incorporated in sustainable development. If the policies that will be laid down towards the achievement of sustainable development will recommend, the use of these fossil fuels as well as unhealthy industrial activities there is a likelihood of the existence of adverse implications which include global warming, climate change and pollution, as a result, of carbon dioxide’s emission. These unsuitable economic behaviors will cause the destruction of the ecosystem. As a result, the industrial productions have heavily increased and also the usage of resources that cannot be renewed (Schmuck 2002, p. 26). The issue of global warming is also significant to record. Debates have been made to discuss the issue of global warming and also try o find solutions to the problem. The major causes of the menace are the growth in the production rate to meet the needs of the grown population. Mineral and energy resources have also been overused, and some exhausted. There is also a risk to exhaust the remaining ones in the near future. Governments are making and also implementing policies that will see to it that the society protects the environment. Companies are also required to find better ways of depositing their waste and avoid the pollution of the environment. Benefits received from doing business are also encouraged to be equally shared among the society members. It will result to a balanced society where every person can provide him or herself a decent life. There would be a less gap between the rich and the poor (Dunphy 2001, p.35). Policies have also been made towards sustainable development in urban areas. In United States and also Europe the population in the urban areas is estimated to be over 80 percent. When many people choose to live in the urban areas, there are possible consequences that may result from this. Among the negative consequences of urbanization is the emergence of slums. Large numbers of people live in shanties that are not friendly to human life. The condition in the slums is also wanting, and the government of every state is required to formulate policies to eradicate slum. Policies to cater for future generation of people in the slums should also be devised (Pinderhughes 2003, p.53). The current conditions in the slums and the deposition of waste products have not made the future sustainable. A large number of people who migrate in the urban areas cannot be accommodated in the future following the increase in population. The government has, therefore, devised ways of encouraging people to settle in the rural areas. Infrastructure in the local areas is developed to encourage people to live in the areas. Government utilities are also being moved in the local areas. Investors have also started investing in the areas following the encouragement and support they are getting from the government (Sisay 2005, p.76). The issue of discouraging urbanization has seen improvement in the economic status of the country. People manage to provide for themselves as well as their families in the local areas. The issue of pollution has also reduced in the urban areas. Resources have also been produced in the local areas that in return get used in the urban settlements. The atmosphere, biosphere and also oceans have been protected from becoming sinks of waste. The issue of global warming can therefore be sustained; however, much more needs to get done to cater for the loss of a good environment (Cordonier et al. 2011, p.15). Conclusion The sustainable development aspect is a key issue that needs to get addressed by all governments together. It should get understood by each and every person that the actions of today will define the future. Another generation in the future will need a planet that is accommodative thus; every person should work to preserve the environment. Selfish interests of manufacturers should also be controlled. They should not exhaust the mineral resources and also pollute the environment so as to make gains. Every government should handle well the issue of urbanization and also food production. Sustainable future will heavily depend on these aspects. With respect to the above mentioned data, it is true that current sustainable developments policies directly determine the future generations modes of meeting their needs. References List Cordonier, S. M.-C., Gehring, M. W., & Newcombe, A. P. (2011). Sustainable development in world investment law. Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands, Kluwer Law International. Pp. 12-15 Dunphy, D. C. (2001). Sustainability: The corporate challenge of the 21st century. St. Leonards, N.S.W, Allen & Unwin.pp 34-35 Everett, B. (2011). Energy systems and sustainability: Power for a sustainable future. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Pp 40-41 Huckle, J., & Sterling, S. R. (1996). Education for sustainability. London, Earthscan. International Conference on Sustainable Development and Planning, Brebbia, C. A., & Beriatos, E. (2011). Sustainable development and planning V. Southampton, UK, WIT Press. Kates, R. (2002). Our common journey: A transition toward sustainability. Washington, DC, National Academy Press. Pinderhughes, R. (2003). Alternative urban futures: Planning for sustainable development in cities throughout the world. Lanham, Rowman & Littlefield. Pp. 52-53 Schmuck, P. (2002). Psychology of sustainable development. Boston [u.a., Kluwer Academic Publ. pp. 26 Sisay, A. (2005). The economics of sustainable development. Kalamazoo, Mich, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. pp 76. Read More