Individual definitions( Group 11)

Sustainable development is the economic development that is conducted without depend of natural resources. That means when we are doing sustainable development we must not pollute the environment. We have to do it environment friendly. Because of this we will be able to protect environment for a long time.

De zoysa H.D.M (162613E)

Sustainable development is very important concept of developing countries, which protect environment and achieve growth and basic economic goals.

Hewasinghe H.P.S.S (162412L)

Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present generation with the use of renewable and nonrenewable resources in a friendly manner and without sacrificing the needs of future generation.

Senanayake G.P.D.S (162667V)

Sustainable development is the development at physical and social matters in a better way which leads to a green world.

Warnasuriya W.M.C.I (162713K)

Approved Group definitions

“Sustainable development is the concept of a relationship between economic growth and the environment”(Asefa,2005).

“Sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meets their own needs” (World Commission and development,1987).

“Sustainable development is maintaining and enhancing the quality of human life, social, economic and environmental while living with the carrying capacity of supporting eco-system”(International Union for Conservation of Nature,1991).

Critical review

Sustainable development is a generally peaceful relationship between humans and nature. But in deep it is a vast area, which covers environmental, social, economic aspects. Purvis and Grainger (2006), content that a system has to be simultaneously environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. Its objective was to provide a growing and sustainable economy while protecting the environment.

Figure 1: The three spheres of Sustainability

In our individual definitions we only concern about one or two aspects of sustainable development. But to be a well define definition, it should covers the all three aspects of sustainability. According to our knowledge, we gain in our first year, we learnt about the word “sustainability”, as the method of conservation and use of resources in an economical and efficient manner. And these resources should be recyclable. With that narrow knowledge we compose our own definitions. As the similarities we all have identified the environmental aspect of sustainable development. 

When writing a definition to that subject we have to consider facts that include in group definitions which are cited from books, journals and reports. Apart from that, we should be considered following goals,

·         People – ensure that human beings can fulfill their potential in dignity, equality and healthy environment.

·         Planet – protect planet, sustainable consumption and production, managing natural resources for present and future generation.

·         Prosperity – enjoy prosperous lives and that economic, social and technological progress occurs in harmony.

·         Peace – societies are free from fear and violence .There can be no sustainable development without peace.

·         Partnership – participation of all countries, all stakeholders and all people.

According to the correctly defined definitions,

Sustainability development can be achieved by investing renewable resources, developing alternative for non-renewable resources, employing efficient consumption of existing resources by seeking new technological solutions for depletion of resources. Strong sustainability emphasizes that human activities should be organized within biosphere limits.

This has made an attempt to critically review sustainable development to present, and its destiny remains in the hands of future generation.

References

Asefa. S, (2005), The economics of sustainable development; USA: Routledge

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), United Nations Environmental Programme and World Wide Fund (1991) Carrying for the Earth: A Strategy for Sustainable Living, Gland: IUCN.

World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (1987) Our Common Future, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Group members

De Zoysa H.D.M(162613E)

Hewasinghe H.P.S.S (162412L)

Senanayake G.P.D.P (162667V)

Warnasuriya W.M.C.I (162713K)