What is Sustainable Development? [ John Cornacchia ]

John Cornacchia at Globacorp Developments International writes:

Do those living today owe anything to the future? If answered, “Yes”, then we must now determine what and how much we owe future generations, since continuing our present course unabated too far into the twenty-first century, will inevitably destroy many options for generations that follow.

In times past, the survivors of dying communities could simply move themselves to less populated, more fertile areas. Today however, there are no such places left to move to.

Unquestionably, communities face enormous challenges as their social, economic, and environmental resources are damaged or depleted. Since these elements of communities are interconnected, there are no straightforward answers. In addition, whatever issues we find ourselves facing, be it disease, human disorder, family breakdown, child abuse, crime, injustice, armed conflict, weakened economies, poverty, lack of quality jobs, extinction of species, forest destruction, pollution, energy shortages, or nuclear power, there are common elements and interrelated steps that provide solutions to these seemingly diverse problems.

To learn more about sustainable development, John Cornacchia invites you to visit Globacorp Developments International at www.globacorp.com.

The interdependencies of the economic, environmental, and social justice elements of our world require varied and innovative thought, taking action that will truly create a future where human society and nature coexist with mutual benefit, and where the suffering caused by poverty and natural resource abuse is eliminated.

Sustainable development calls for improving the quality of life for all people of the world without increasing the use of our natural resources beyond the earth’s enduring capacity. While sustainable development may require different actions in various regions of the world, the efforts to build a truly sustainable way of life require the integration of action in three key areas: Economic Growth and Equity – Today’s interlinked, global economic systems demand an integrated approach in order to foster responsible long-term growth while ensuring that no nation or community is left behind; Conserving Natural Resources and the Environment – To conserve our environmental heritage and natural resources for future generations, economically viable solutions must be developed to reduce resource consumption, effectively manage pollution and conserve natural habitats; Social Development – Throughout the world, people require jobs, food, education, energy, health care, water and sanitation. While addressing these vital needs, the world community must also ensure that the rich fabric of cultural and social diversity, including the rights of workers, are respected, and that all members of society are empowered to play a role in determining their futures.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development depicted in their 2002 brochure, that sustainable development is the parallel consideration of healthy environments, life, and human well-being. This includes issues of population, climate, economic prosperity, energy, natural resource use, waste management, biodiversity, watershed protection, technology, agriculture, safe water supplies, international security, politics, green building, sustainable cities, smart development, community and family relations, human values, along with many others. All these “pieces” are parts of the sustainable society puzzle, because they are the basic ingredients of everyday life.

To learn more about sustainable development, John Cornacchia invites you to visit Globacorp Developments International at www.globacorp.com.

Sustainable development represents a process in which economics, finance, trade, energy, agriculture, industry, and all other policies are implemented in a way to bring about development that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. Thus, the goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, thereby maintaining the balance of the “Sustainability Tripod”.

In practicing sustainable development over the long-term one shall: a) not diminish the quality of the present environment; b) not critically reduce the availability of renewable resources; c) take into consideration the value of non-renewable resources to future generations; and d) not compromise the ability of other species or future generations to meet their needs.

According to the World Business Council on Sustainable Development, one of the definitions of sustainability that appears to have more resonance with the general public than all others is: Sustainable development is about ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to follow. This focus on improving quality of life is becoming more widely accepted by governments, companies, and civil society organizations. It makes the sustainability concept more aspirational and changes the emphasis of the sustainable development debate towards solutions rather than problems.

David Suzuki, a well recognised Canadian science broadcaster and environmental activist, believes that our resources are limited. Our little planet can only provide so many goods and absorb so much of our waste. Given these constraints, our current economy, which is predicated on relentless growth, is unsustainable. Something has to give.

To learn more about sustainable development, John Cornacchia invites you to visit Globacorp Developments International at www.globacorp.com.

We at Globacorp share the same beliefs and concerns and are genuinely doing our part to reduce the impact our communities and operations have on the environment. We are strategically planning and engineering our community developments to continually improve the quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to follow.

Our latest efforts, Paraiso Del Rio Grande Resort Community, will certainly be one of the most sustainable and green residential developments in the Americas, revitalising over 100 Hectares of previously slash-and-burn land located in Coclé, a central province of The Republic of Panama.