The concept of sustainable development began to enjoy great popularity almost three decades ago, specifically in 1987, when it was used within the Brundtland report "Our Common Future" of the World Commission for the Environment, where it is defined as the satisfaction of current needs without compromising from the future.
"Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own," the document reads. A whole declaration of laudable principles with which it is tremendously easy to agree, although the truth is that it has not been possible to put it into practice. But why is it so difficult to achieve it? There are many vested interests that prevent it, from those in large companies to the very production schemes that characterize the world economy. In Green Ecologist, we show what are the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable development.
The advantages of sustainable development
Review the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable development allows us to better answer this question, while helping us to understand the different dimensions of the concept, beyond its simple and idyllic definition, incomplete in reality.
Between the pros of sustainable development, obviously its objective must be mentioned, perhaps utopian, but at the same time necessary to save the planet from a great crisis. To do this, it proposes a feasibility solution by harmonizing economic, social and environmental aspects.
Considering any of these issues separately will lead us to a dead end sooner or later. On the contrary, taking care of the environment, its resources, without giving up social and economic progress is synonymous with sustainability and avoids a disastrous outcome.
The proliferation of sustainable products and services brings the advantage of create a better world for all, not only more sustainable but more ethical. In an environment that tends to sustainability, governments have to be responsible and citizens are more aware and ask important questions in their role as consumers.
The downsides of sustainable development
One of the main obstacles to the application of sustainable policies is the duality that exists between the need for solutions and strategies that transcend borders, as it is about a cooperation that today it is not taking place, much less there are signs of a hopeful future.
Currently, unfortunately, world production and consumption patterns are going in the opposite direction to that required by a sustainability policy. However, all that glitters is not gold, and there are also numerous negative elements in sustainable policies.
Governance itself has to face a constant uncertainty, since there are many aspects that must be married to achieve a result that achieves that desired sustainability.
And, in the same way, even the tools considered more sustainable, such as organic farming or renewable energy sources have a myriad of drawbacks that need to be dealt with intelligently in order to really help that sustainability.
Thus, although sustainable development can help end poverty in the world and adjust social inequalities, attending to human needs in a fairer way and reorienting technology to respect the planet and guarantee its long-term viability, there are also negative consequences.
Among others, this change of mentality that is required would harm big capital, which means that a radical transformation of society would be necessary so great that it is difficult to trust that it will take place.
Not abusing nature, the human being or turning the economy into an instrument that enriches only a few is the objective of sustainable theory, a paradigm that today invites us to dream and, of course, also to fight to do so. reality. A better world is possible.
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