what is sustainable development, threats to SD, How SD can be achieved?

1. PUC –I ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Unit VII SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 1
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT?
Lecture By:
SRINIVAS GAJJELA
Asst. Professor
Dept. of Biosciences –RGUKT

2. Concepts to learn
I. Concept of Sustainable Development
II. Threats to Sustainable Development
III. How can Sustainable Development be
implemented?
IV. Sustainable Consumption and Development
V. Policy Options (Water, Energy, Food)
VI. Low Carbon Life Styles

3. I. What is Sustainable
Development ?

4. The path of development that we follow is all-
inclusive & in harmony with environment of
the Earth

5. Definition of Sustainable Development ?
• “The development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own
needs” – is called as SUSUTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT.
• -- BRUNDTLAND COMMISSION Report 1987.
• The concept of sustainable development
aims to maintain economic advancements
and progress while protecting the long term
value of the environment.

6. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

7. • Sustainable development – involves the
efforts towards building an inclusive,
sustainable and resilient* future for the
people and the planet.
• (*Resilient = able to withstand or recover quickly
from difficult conditions).
• To achieve SD* (*sustainable development) –
it is crucial to harmonize the 3 core elements:
– ECONOMIC GROWTH
– SOCIAL INCLUSION
– ENVIRONEMENTAL PROTECTION
• These 3 are interconnected & crucial for
wellbeing of individuals & societies.

9. • SD helps to eradicate poverty, to achieve it –we
need :
–To create greater opportunities for all.
–To reduce inequalities.
–To raise basic standards of living
–Has to foster equitable social
development.
–Integrated & sustainable management of
natural resources & ecosystems.
–Inclusive & equitable economic growth.

10. Interaction between ecology, economy &
social (community) development occurs.

11. II. Threats to Sustainable
Development

12. Threats to Sustainable development
• The threats to SD –
– ECONOMIC DISPARITY
– SOCIAL INEQUALITY
– ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
• The causes for un sustainability are :
– Increasing human population
– Over exploitation of resources to meet the
human needs (like fuel, fodder and shelter).
– Over harvesting of Fishing, extensive agriculture
practices, over use of Water, deforestation &
industrialization.

13. – Land clearing – leading to soil degradation,
pollution, loss of biodiversity, deforestation,
desertification, & climate change.
– Social degradation due to factors like increasing
unemployment, health crisis, urbanization,
poverty, and income inequalities.

14. III. How to achieve Sustainable
Development ?

15. How can SD be implemented?
• The SD is an ALL INCLUSIVE GROWTH.
• It is pattern of development that involves all
sections of community- the well off, the poor,
men and women.
• SD is possible by implementing the following
strategies:
 Preservation of biodiversity in terrestrial, fresh
water & marine ecosystems.
Sustainable use of resources & minimizing the
depletion of resources.
Caring for the environment.
Improving the quality of life – social & economic

16. • Conservation of natural capital – renewable &
non renewable resources.
• Conservation of natural & cultural diversity
• Limits of natural resources utilization &
assimilation of waste.
• Efficiency of resource utilization by all societies
• Social equity through poverty reduction &
gender equity
• Reduction of POLLUTION- Green house gasses
emission reduction, reduction in ozone depletes.
• Reduction in use of chemical fertilizers.
• STOP – DESERTIFICATION & DEFORESTATION.

17. The SD Goals(SDGs)- 17 Global goals set by UNO in 2015

18. SDGs

19. IV. Achieving Sustainable
Consumption and Development

20. Sustainable consumption & production (SCP)
• At the WORLD SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE
DVELOPMENT (WSSD),The concept of
sustainable consumption & production was
recognized and adopted in Johannesburg,
South Africa | 26 August - 4 September 2002.
• The WSSD gathered 21,340 participants from
191 governments, intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations, the private
sector, civil society, academia and the
scientific community.
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/

21. Sustainable consumption and production
(SCP)
• Sustainable consumption and
production is about promoting resource
and energy efficiency, sustainable
infrastructure, and providing access to
basic services, green and decent jobs
and a better quality of life for all.

22. • As defined by the Oslo Symposium in 1994,
sustainable consumption and production
(SCP) is about "the use of services and related
products, which respond to basic needs and
bring a better quality of life
• while minimizing the use of natural resources
and toxic materials as well as the emissions
of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of
the service or product so as not to jeopardize
the needs of further generations

24. • The implementation of the 10-Year
Framework of Programmes on Sustainable
Consumption and Production.
• All countries take action, with developed
countries taking the lead, taking into account
the development and capabilities of
developing countries .
• Eastern European countries, former Soviet
union, China and India South East Asia , Latin
America – are consumption class countries.
• Other poor communities or countries need to
improve their consumption.

25. Sustainable consumption & development
• SD is concerned with Rate of consumption &
use of natural resources.
• We should not consume the resources at the
rate that it makes difficult for us to substitute
or replace them.
• Ex : If we use cars – the new have to make
sure that we use eco-friendly fuel &
technology that minimizes air pollution.
– If we use ground water- our responsibility is to
recharge it through techniques like rain water
harvesting.
– SD is thus responsible development.

26. Sustainable consumption & development
• Exploitation pressure on natural
resources –
–we already used over half of the available
freshwater. By 2025- projected to three
quarters.
–Water short people today – 550 million ;
could soar to 3billion by 2025.
–As fast growing consumption in relation to
expanding population- causing degradation
in the environment.

27. V. Policy changes to be made for
Sustainable consumption

28. Policy options:
we can increase resource use efficiency through
Fewer material inputs
Longer product life times
Waste prevention.
Efficiency enables sufficiency.
Make use of energy resources efficiently and
conservation.
Sustainable consumption and production is –
promoting the resource and energy efficiency,
sustainable infrastructure, providing access to
basic services and better quality of life.

29. • Sustainable consumption and production
implementation helps to achieve –
– overall development,
– reduce poverty,
– reduce future economic , environmental and
social costs and
– strengthen economic competitiveness.
• It involves –
– Different stakeholders- businessmen, consumers,
policy makers, researchers, scientists, media etc.
– engaging consumers through awareness.

31. • Some facts :
 Each year 1/3rd of food = 1.3 billion tones
=$1 trillion is rotting(wasted) at bins of
consumers, retailers, spoiling due to poor
transportation & harvesting practices.
If worldwide all people switched to energy
efficient light bulbs, we can save US $ 120
billion annually.
Global population may reach up to 9.6billion
by 2050.= 3 planets could be required to
provide natural resource if wee keep
continue current lifestyles.

33. Water:
 Our Earth is covered with 70 % of water out of which,
Less than 3% of world’s water is fresh(drinkable);
– Of which 2.5% is frozen in Antarctica, arctic and Glaciers.
– i. e all people of this globe must use only 0.5% for all
needs.
 Man is polluting water faster than nature can recycle
and purify water in rivers and lakes.
 More than 1 Billion people do not have access to
fresh water.
 Excessive use, pollution & waste of water causes global
water stress.
 Water is free from nature, but to deliver it, the
infrastructure we use is expensive.

35. Water @ Antarctica

36. • Energy:
• Energy use in Organization for Economic Co-
Operation and Development(OECD) countries
continues to grow another 35% by 2020.
• Commercial and residential energy is more
after transport energy utilization
• In 2002,the motor vehicle stock in OECD was
550 million vehicles(75% are personal cars).
• Expecting 32 % increase by 2020 and 40%
increase of air travel.

38. Energy…
• Household consumption of energy is 29%out
of which 21 % resultant CO2 emissions.
• In India the motorized transport is increasing
uniformly @ compound annual growth rate
(CAGR)of 10.5% leading to high pressure on
oil sectors.
• 1/5th of worlds energy consumption in 2013
was from Renewable

39. FOOD
• 1.3 billion tones of food –
wasted /annum,
– 1 billion People – under
nourished,
– Another 1 billion people
hungry.
• 2 billion – overweight globally.
– Over consumption of food is
detrimental to our health and
the environment.
• World’s total energy
consumption in food sector is
30% & accounts of 22% of total
Green house gasses emissions.
• Land degradation, declining
soil fertility, unsustainable
water use, over fishing,
marine environment
degradation – lessening the
food supply/ production.

40. VI. Low Carbon Life Styles – A
critical step for SD

41. LOW CARBON LIFE STYLES
• Over the last few decades, the increased
emissions of CO2 have led to increased
global temperatures –called Global
Warming.
• If it continues the planet would have to
face serious consequences.
• At the individual level, we contribute the
emission of CO2 in almost every activity.
– Ex: Travelling by plane from HYD to CHENNAI
cause more CO2 emissions than travel by
bus.
– Eating dosa at home cause less emission than
eating a pizza at restaurant.
– AC ‘s emit more than running a fan.

42. • Every citizen has the
RESPONSIBILITY of
initiating measures
to reduce the
impact of his
activities on the
environment.
• Should strive for
“LOW CARBON
FOOT PRINT”
• LOW CARBON LIFE
SAVES ENERGY &
REDUCES GREEN
HOUSE GASSES

43. HOW TO ADOPT A LOW CARBON LIFE STYLE ?
• AT HOME :
 Switch to Energy Efficient devices
 5***** rated refrigerators, air
conditioners, geysers, fans etc.
 Replace incandescent bulbs with
CFL & LED.
 Use of Renewable resources in
place of non renewable
 Solar water heaters, solar photo
voltaic energy,& solar inverters.
 Practice energy efficient measures-
switch off lights, electrical
appliances when not in use.
 Use geysers in quick succession &
do not keep it on for long hours.

45. HOW TO ADOPT A LOW CARBON LIFE STYLE ?
• Vehicles :
– Minimize vehicle usage
by walking or cycling
– Inflate (fill with air)
tyres regularly for
increased mileage.
– Regular maintenance
of vehicle gives energy
efficiency.
– Plan trips by car
pooling(sharing) to
reduce fuel
consumption.

46. Switch to Ride cycle not motor cycle

47. HOW TO ADOPT A LOW CARBON LIFE STYLE ?
• In the kitchen :
• Use fresh, seasonal, locally
produced, organic foods
• Cut down eating at
restaurants, eat NO JUNK
FOOD.
• Reduce food waste
• Use a pressure cooker to
cook food
• Soak rice / pulses etc before
cooking and keep lid while
cooking.
• Avoid more meat and switch
to more vegetables.

49. • Buy locally grown food supports local
farmers and cuts down fossil fuels used for
transportation.
• Eat wisely
• Make most of seasonal foods

50. • Water consumption:
• Harvest rain water.
• Conserve water by improved
taps & faucets
• Capacity of flush tank to be
reduced.
• Use Low shower while using
water
• Stop leakages by Regular
maintenance.
• Save water.
• Use safe water.
• Do not pollute water.

54. Summary
 Sustainable development is holistic development of
economy, people and planet. Any imbalance in either of
the three aspects can create unsustainable future.
 Economic disparity, Social inequality and Environmental
degradation are the three main threats to sustainability.
 Sustainable development aims to ensure sustainable
consumption and production patterns. They can be
achieved by a global consensus of 17 goals set by United
Nations in 2015 called as “Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).”

55.  Sustainable consumption ensures that we do not
consume resources at a rate that makes it difficult for us
to substitute or replace them.
 Achievement of sustainable consumption can be made
possible by formulation of policies leading to increase of
resource-use efficiency as “Efficiency enables sufficiency.”
Such changes in the vital sectors of Water, Energy and
Food are the need of the hour.
 Adopting a “Low Carbon Lifestyle” at an individual level
can minimize the heavy toll of carbon footprint on the
world. It also leads to resource-use efficiency or
Sustainable consumption.

56. End of the chapter