Sustainable Development
Uploaded by Rodianne on May 14, 2007
Man developed throughout the centuries and has always tried to facilitate life in the best possible way. Technology was always looked through from a positive point of view but nowadays we are forced to think otherwise. Things that we should use are being abused. Inappropriate way of life has lead to extensive environmental damage. This crisis produced hot issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, ocean pollution and the destruction of forests. The impairment that is being done is not only giving dreadful effects now, but it will increase in the future. These major problems imply that policies were not having their desired effect and therefore, a new set of policies which sustain human progress and the entire planet in a sustainable way, were needed. This new set of policies is known as the concept of sustainable development. In two main documents there lies the principal guideline of sustainable development. These known documents are, Our Common Future and Earth Summit’s Agenda 21.
Six major concepts try to steer our way of life so as to unite the present with the past and future and make us collaborate with one another.
Solidarity is in fact the key to start this new way of life. Past generations and generations to come need to respect each other and the planet, and care for the community of life. One should never benefit from something now, which will eventually have a downbeat effect on future generations. A practical example is that of genetic engineering. This technology opens up a new dimension for the world. It makes alternation of DNA possible. The immediate effects are very positive as they, for example, can make a plant breed more seeds and furthermore no pests will feed on them. Yet the downhill to all this will only be seen in the future. Once the structure of DNA is altered it would be impossible to change. Another negative impact that the future beings will face is the fracture of the feeding cycle. Therefore, it is essential for all to protect one another, as all generations are interrelated, which means that whatever happens today speaks about the relationship of the present with past and future generations.
High quality of life is essential nowadays. Yet, to improve the quality of human life one must have education, health, decent standard of living, freedom from violence, political freedom, guaranteed human rights and access of...