Sustainable Development
hile reflecting on some of the events that have transpired over the last decade, it may be no wonder why people have fueled the debate and salience of concepts related to sustainable development. Countless corporate scandals such as Enron and many others pointed out some of the questionable business practices in the modern economy. Also the sub-prime mortgage markets have gained large amounts of negative publicity for their systemic lack of integrity. Not only has this increased contempt with the status quo of the business world, but it has also translates into real implications that affect everyone's lives in one way or another. Many people have had their retirement fund devalued in the stock market or by austerity cuts. Others are can be affected by simply paying higher prices at the gas pump but the interconnectedness of the global economy leaves no life untouched.
This paper questions the role and…...
mlaWorks Cited
Jahdi, K. & Acikdilli, G., 2009. Marketing Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr): Marriage of Convenience or Shotgun Wedding?. Journal of Busines Ethics, 88(1), pp. 103-113.
Mak, T., 2011. Occupy Wall Street uses Arab Spring model. [Online]
Available at: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/64993.html
[Accessed 19 November 2011].
Sustainable Development: An Analysis
Development refers to the progressive transformation of society, and the economy[footnoteRef:1]. Sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"[footnoteRef:2]. Some consider sustainable development an oxymoron, arguing that it is impossible to achieve development without causing harm to the environment through pollution[footnoteRef:3]. Fortunately, there is proof that a country could actually achieve development in a sustainable manner. This is only possible if social and environmental factors are integrated into the economic component of development[footnoteRef:4]. [1: The World ank, "What is Sustainable Development?" The World ank, http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html (accessed February 21, 2014).] [2: Ibid.] [3: Ibid.] [4: Ibid.]
Certification in the Developing World
Certification is one way through which sustainable development could be achieved[footnoteRef:5]. It seeks to ensure that companies all over the world comply with the international standards governing sustainable development[footnoteRef:6]. The developing world is, in…...
mlaBibliography
Gamesby, Rob, "Environmental, Political, Social and Economic Factors Affecting Development. Cool Geography. (accessed February 20, 2014).http://coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA/Development_Gap/Factors_affecting_inequalities/Factors_affecting_development.htm
HREA, "Sustainable Development." Human Rights Education Associates. (accessed February 20, 2014).http://www.hrea.org/index.php?base_id=166
The World Bank, "What is Sustainable Development?" The World Bank. (accessed February 20, 2014).http://www.worldbank.org/depweb/english/sd.html
Costa Rica has financed its plans largely by restructuring its external debt. The nation was able in doing this to set aside the funds required to pursue its sustainability development. This has been augmented by assistance from organizations such as the IMF and grants from the orld Bank.
Part of Costa Rica's employment strategy is to build the ecotourism business, which provides higher level employment. Costa Rica also seeks to develop its agriculture in a sustainable fashion, with small farms wherein the owner keeps the profits. Land resources are also used to boost the pharmaceutical industry, with sustainable harvesting of key plant species. Costa Rica has battled carbon pollution by instituting taxes on vehicles and purchased carbon from Norway.
One area of commonality between the Costa Rica and Abu Dhabi plans is that they both leverage the relative strengths of their countries. The Costa Rica plan leverages that nation's ecological wealth while…...
mlaWorks Cited:
Masdar.ae website. (2009). Retrieved November 22, 2009 from http://www.masdar.ae/en/home/index.aspx
No author. (2004). Costa Rica case study: Analysis of national strategies for sustainable development. International Institute for Sustainable Development. Retrieved November 22, 2009 from http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2004/measure_sdsip_costa_rica.pdf
Interior and Commerce Department agencies are to determine which species should be listed; individuals may petition the agencies to have species designated. The Fish and Wildlife Service, in the Interior Department, deals with land species; the National Marine Fisheries Service, located in the Commerce department, has jurisdiction over marine species. Any 'interested person' may petition the Interior Secretary to list a species as either endangered or threatened. The 1978 amendments to the ESA created a Cabinet-level committee to resolve conflicts between species protection and federal projects -- labeled the 'God Squad' or the 'Extinction Committee'.
The committee can authorize projects to proceed even if they jeopardize the continued existence of a species if five of seven members decide that protection interferes with 'human' needs. The specific criteria to be used in exempting actions from the act include: (1) there are no reasonable or prudent alternatives to the agency action; (2)…...
mlaBIBLIOGRAPHY
Ahmad, Q.K. And A.U. Ahmed, 2006: Social sustainability, indicators and climate change. In: Climate Change and Its Linkages with Development, Equity and Sustainability: Proceedings of the IPCC Expert Meeting held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, 27 -- 29 April, 1999 [Munasinghe, M. And R. Swart (eds.)]. LIFE, Colombo, Sri Lanka; RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; and World Bank, Washington, DC, USA, pp. 95 -- 108
Blaikie, P., T. Cannon, I. Davies, and B. Wisner, 1994: At Risk: Natural Hazards, People's Vulnerability, and Disasters. Routledge, New York, NY, USA, 284 pp.
Bolin, R. And L. Stanford, 1991: Shelter, housing and recovery: a comparison of U.S. disasters. Disasters, 15(1), 24 -- 34.
Downing, T.E. (ed.), 2008: Climate Change and World Food Security. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, pp. 662.
Sustainable Development in the South Asian Context
The objective of this study is to explore the meaning of 'sustainable development' in the Southeast Asian context.
(1) Can there be a common definition of sustainable development?
(2) Does it define a starting point, a process, or an end goal?
(3) Can if provide a coherent theory?
(4) Is it a workable concept in practice?
(5) How do different political parties enforce the implementation of sustainable development?
(6) What contradictions exist between economic growth and environmental protection in Southeast Asia?
(7) Is there a common definition of sustainable development, which applies to all cases?
Sustainable development means different things to different individuals and groups and there is yet to be a commonly acknowledged and accepted definition for sustainable development. Sustainable development falls under the influence of various political mindsets and the implementation of sustainable development can be differentiated on the bases of these varying perspectives. What is sustainable development in one…...
mlaReferences
Alagh, YK (1999) Agricultural Trade and Sustainable Development. Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics Jan Mar 1999. ProQuest Central.
Conca, K., Prince, T., and Maniates, M.F. (2001) Confronting Consumption. Global Environmental Politics 1:3 August 2001. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Kates, RW, Parris, TM and Leiserowitz, AA (2005) What is Sustainable Development? Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development Vol. 47.
Lange, W.J., Wise, R.M. And Nahman, A. (2010) Securing A Sustainable Future Through a New Global Contract Between Rich and Poor. Sustainable Development 18. Wiley Online Library.
Sustainable Development - a Global Challenge
Need for Change
State Sovereignty
Sustainable Development
Challenges for usinesses
The Role of MNCs in Sustainable Development
The Global Compact
Initiatives outside the Global Compact
What is International Sustainable Development Law (ISDL)?
International Environmental Law and its Impact on Australia
Sustainable Development: A Global Challenge
For many years, sustainable development has been one of the controversial issues faced by world leaders and citizens (Parmetier, 2002). The issue pervades both private and public sectors, and is the major focus of many International Organizations (IOs), mainly the United Nations (UN) and many Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs). However, there is little agreement across the globe about a solid definition of the concept of sustainable development. In addition, to further complicate the issue, another concept has recently s emerged on the international scene: globalization.
Globalization can best be defined as an increasing economic interconnection throughout the world, which influences cultural, political, social, and legal factors (Parmetier, 2002). While globalization is a…...
mlaBibliography
Parmetier, Antione. (2002). The Participation of Multinational Corporations to Sustainable Development: The Example of the Global Compact. Seton Hall Universit.
Environmental Defender's Office (EDO). (2003). Fact sheet: International Environmental Law. Environmental Defender's Office. New South Wales (Ltd.) Fact Sheets.
Australian Government. (1994). Australia's National Report to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. Department of the Environment, Sport and Territories.
Lyon, A. (2002). Globalization and Sustainable Development: Is Ethics the Missing Link? Earth Dialogues Forum, Green Cross International.
They feel that they can do this with better overall agricultural output through better water management, for example a reduction in the size of irrigation projects to reduce waste.
The plan is also focused on shifting Ethiopia's economy from one in which 85% of the populace is engaged in agriculture to one in which people earn their money through trades and industry. The plan holds this will lift people out of poverty and build the economy from the lowest levels up.
The timeframe for the first stages of this development plan has come, so the second stages are underway. Sustainable development in Ethiopia is a long-term objective. ith respect to women, the plan includes provisions on improving women's access to health care. The omen's Development Initiatives project (DIP) represents a commitment to women's equality by improving female education and providing rural women with more economic opportunities.
The Ethiopian plan is holistic, and…...
mlaWorks Cited:
Government of Canada Sustainable Development website, various pages. (2009). Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.sdinfo.gc.ca/s16_e.cfm
No author. (2002). Ethiopia: Sustainable development and poverty reduction program. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTETHIOPIA/Overview/20207639/2002_07_prsp.pdf
No author. (2007). Canada-Kyoto timeline. CBC. Retrieved November 25, 2009 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/kyoto/timeline.html
Also contributing to the challenges faced by sustainable development are proprietary interests. Every legal entity, including individuals, governments and corporations, will protect its own interests. Changes to the status quo that do not give an entity benefit will be fought in the legal system, with political influence, in the court of public opinion and sometimes even through military means (China invading Tibet to gain access to mineral resources and control of Asia's major river systems, for example). Each entity pushing its own agenda will compromise efforts to implement the type of systemic changes to make development sustainable on a global basis.
Perhaps nowhere are these challenges more in evidence than in the issue of greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol is an agreement between 184 countries to a global plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Proprietary interests have resulted in the world's biggest polluter, the United States, refusing to ratify the…...
mlaWorks Cited:
IISD. (2009). What is sustainable development? International Institute for Sustainable Development Retrieved November 7, 2009 from
It can be especially bad if it appears that the company was trying to cover up the problem. That is why self-auditing is such an important benefit to companies.
Unfortunately, many companies choose not to self audit. They do not want to look for problems because they expect to find some. Finding problems means reporting problems, which means paying fines. A lot of companies do not want to pay them, even if they are less when they are found through self-auditing. These companies just leave their pollution problems uncorrected and hope that the EPA won't pay them a surprise visit where they will have to try to hide their problems.
Clearly, the economic benefits and the social benefits of pollution control and the Clean Water Act are quite high, although not everyone realizes how important it is to make sure that the water stays clean; not only for the people and…...
mlaBibliography
Economic Incentives. 2002. United States Government. http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer782/aer782d.pdf .
Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 (Clean Water Act). 2002. United States Government. http://www.usbr.gov/laws/cleanwat.html.
Gibbs, D. 1998a. "Regional development agencies and sustainable development." Regional Studies, 32(4): 365-368.
Gibbs, D.C., et al. 1998b. "Struggling with sustainability': weak and strong interpretations of sustainable development within local authority policy." Environment and Planning, 30(8): 1351-1365.
Sustainable development, as defined by the rundtland Commission (1987) is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." [footnoteRef:1] y definition, then, sustainable development is development that takes the impact on the environment into account and tries to minimize environmental damage. This contributed to the understanding that sustainable development encompasses a number of areas and highlights sustainability as the idea of environmental, economic and social progress and equity, all within the limits of the world's natural resources. Sustainable Development is about balanced and equitable economic development. high levels of employment, social cohesion and inclusiveness, a high level of environmental protection and responsible use of natural resources, coherent policy making in an open, transparent and accountable political system and effective international co-operation to promote sustainable development globally.[footnoteRef:2] [1: rundtland Commission, "Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development,"…...
mlaBibliography
Blagojevic, Kate, "What the world Development Movement wants from the G20." World Development Movement (April 1, 2009). Accessed August 19, 2011. http://www.wdm.org.uk/what-world-development-movement-wants-g20
Brundtland Commission, "Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development," United Nations General Assembly (December 11, 1987). Accessed August 19, 2011. http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/42/ares42-187.htm
Reid, Walter V., Harold A. Mooney, Angela Cropper, Doris Capistrano, Stephen R. Carpenter, Kanchan Chopra, Partha Dasgupta, Thomas Dietz, Anantha Kumar Duraiappah, Rashid Hassan, Roger Kasperson, Rik Leemans, Robert M. May, Tony McMichael, Prahhu Pingali, Cristian Samper, Robert Scholes, Robert T. Watson, A.H. Zakri, Zhao Shidong, Neville.J. Ash, Elena Bennett, Pushpam Kumar. Marcus J. Lee, Ciara Raudsepp=Hearne, Henk Simons, Jillian Thonell, & Monika B. Zurek, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Synthesis Report, (March 23, 2005). Accessed August 19, 2011. http://matagalatlante.org/nobre/down/MAgeneralSynthesisFinalDraft.pdf
Shah, Anup, "Sustainable Development Introduction," Global Issues (November 18, 2009). Accessed August 19, 2011. http://www.globalissues.org/article/408/sustainable-development-introduction
Efficient fuel consumption, for example, is an effort that is considered sustainable because fuel consumption is a present need of end-users, but efficient use of this source of energy -- that is, fuel is consumed optimally and with the least harmful effect on the users' environment -- ensures that this act of consumption would have the least detrimental effect on the natural environment (specifically, the acceleration of air pollution and eventual depletion of ozone layer). Efficient fuel consumption is an effort requiring the involvement of every individual and sector in the society: governments can monitor companies' greenhouse gas emissions through legislation, businesses can develop corporate social responsibility (CS) programs that aim to implement laws and rules on efficient fuel consumption, and even individuals can do their part by making sure that their appliances are energy efficient, for example.
On a larger or inter-country scale, numerous multilateral agreements are developed and…...
mlaReferences
"Guidance in preparing a national sustainable development strategy: Managing sustainable development in the new millenium." (2002). Background Paper No. 13, Outcome of the International Forum on National Sustainable Development Strategies. Submitted by the Division for Sustainable Development, United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
"The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer." (2000). The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer & The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Submitted by the Ozone Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Since 1972, population has indeed carried on rapid growth, but per-capita incomes have risen even faster. From 1972, when China and India could not feed their populations, both have become food exporters. The Club of Rome made the same mistake as their "limited world" predecessors, Malthus and Marx. They thought of people as reactive automatons, unable to change their behavior or their consumption. The Club of Rome should have known better. The "Green Revolution," which increased the world's production per acre of grains by a factor of five, had started in the 1960's. The Chinese peasant, allowed to farm 1/2 acre and sell his produce since 1965, had increased overall Chinese food production by 30% by 1972.
The Reality: Resources are Expanding
It seems illogical, or nearly paradoxical, that as we use more resources, our resource pool keeps growing, but that is in fact the case. This is true for three…...
mlaBibliography
Duchesne, R. "On the Rise of the West: Researching Kenneth Pomeranz's Great Divergence." Review of Radical Political Economics, 2004: 52-81.
Economist. "This week in comparative advantage." Economist, 2007: n.p.
Hollander, S. "Two Hundred Years of Say's Law: Essays on Economic Theory's Most Controversial Principle." History of Political Economy, 2005: 382-385.
Malthus, TR. An Essay on the Principle of Population. London: J. Johnson, 1798.
Question 1 One of the key challenges and needs identified by the ISC team is financing. The other challenges include, collaboration, making the case for prosperity through sustainability, taking a comprehensive approach to green empowerment, and data (Institute for Sustainable Communities – ISC, 2011, p. 7). As the authors point out, “transitioning to a sustainable economy will require significant investments from both public and private entities…” (ISC, 2011, p. 6). It should, however, be noted that funding is a finite resource. Further, the very nature of the said transition makes actual costs uncertain – effectively meaning that there could be a mismatch between the actual costs and the funds allocated. This brings about what is referred to as a cost overrun or cost underrun risk, which in essence is a situation whereby an undertaking’s costs either go above or below the initial cost estimate (Boyd, 2012, p. 314). The achievement of…...
mlaReferences
Altman, M. (Ed.). (2006). Handbook of Contemporary Behavioral Economics. New York: M.E. SharpeBarbier E.B. & Markandya, A. (2013). A New Blueprint for a Green Economy. New York, NY: RoutledgeBrulin, G. & Svensson, L. (2016). Managing Sustainable Development Programs: A Learning Approach to Change. New York, RoutledgeBoyd, B. (2012). The COR/COTR Answer Book (3rd ed.). Tysons Corner, VA: Barrett-Koehler Publishers.Hanley, N., Shogren, J. & White B. (2007). Environmental Economics: In Theory and Practice (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Palgrave Macmillan.Institute for Sustainable Communities – ISC. (2011). Sustainable Economic Development: A Resource Guide for Local Leaders. New York, NY: Climate Leadership AcademyLarson, B.A. (Ed.). (2007). Sustainable Development Research Advances. New York: Nova Publishers.Pearce, D., Barbier, E. & Markandya, A. (2013). Sustainable Development: Economics and Environment in the Third World. New York, NT: Routledge
This is because resources available within the environment will provide all what is required for the state (Department of Environment, Food & ural affairs, 2013).
Social sustainability
Many countries are same when it comes to the endowments of natural, human and physical capital. However, there is a difference when it comes to the economic development level that can be achieved in a particular country. There are three types of capital that can determine the economic growth process but in a partial manner however, there is a missing link between the three types of capital which is the social capital. Social capital is based on social norms and bonds which have an important role to play when it comes to sustainable development. Social capital emphasizes on the participation on a civic level as well as a horizontal association among people such as social networks. This is also through associated norms that have…...
mlaReferences
Accenture.(2011). Government's role in Sustainable Development. Retrieved April 26,2013
Bayelsa state portal.(2013). Bayelsa State Sustainable Development Strategy. Retrieved April 26,2013 from http://bayelsa.gov.ng/portal/ministries-departments-agencies/agencies/bayelsa-state-sustainable-development-strategy
Department of Environment, Food & Rural affairs.(2013). Making sustainable development a part of all government policy and operations. Retrieved April 26,2013 from https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/making-sustainable-development-a-part-of-all-government-policy-and-operations
Sustainable Design
Sustainable Development
Searching for Sustainability
When researchers analyzed the global resource flow trends that emerged between 1980 and 2002 they found a 25% worldwide increase in material extraction and natural resource use (Behren, Giljum, Kovanda, and Niza, 2005). The increased material extraction rates were attributed to growing economies in developing nations like China and the growing size of the consumer class in these countries. When compared to trends in economic activity in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), the percent generated by material extraction shrank by 25% during the same study period. The rapid growth in the size of the less resource-intensive service sector was blamed for this finding.
The growing size of the service sector has some advantages in terms of sustainability, including lower resource utilization and cleaner technologies, but based on the findings of Behren and colleagues (2007) the growth in material extraction and utilization outstrips any sustainability advantage that…...
mlaReferences
Behren, Arno, Giljum, Stefan, Kovanda, Jan, and Niza, Samuel. (2007). The material basis of the global economy worldwide patterns of natural resource extraction and their implications for sustainable resource use policies. Ecological Economics, 64, 444-453.
Firms meet the challenge of technological change by redesigning their innovation ecosystems in several key ways. This approach involves a strategic overhaul of their internal and external operations, relationships, and culture to foster innovation and adaptability. Here's how they do it:
Embracing Open Innovation: Moving away from solely in-house R&D, firms are increasingly embracing open innovation. This involves collaborating with external entities like startups, academic institutions, and other companies to source new ideas, technologies, and methodologies. This collaboration can take various forms, including joint ventures, partnerships, and innovation hubs.
Investing in Digital Transformation: Firms are investing heavily in digital technologies such as....
1. The Benefits and Challenges of Microgeneration for Sustainable Development.
2. The Role of Microgeneration in Overcoming Energy Poverty in Developing Countries.
3. The Impact of Microgeneration on Grid Resilience and Energy Security.
4. The Economic Viability of Microgeneration: Cost Analysis and Evaluation.
5. Microgeneration Technologies and their Potential for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
6. The Integration of Microgeneration into Smart Grid Systems: Opportunities and Challenges.
7. The Role of Government Policies and Incentives in Promoting Microgeneration.
8. Case Study: Successful Microgeneration Projects and their Lessons for Scaling-Up.
9. The Role of Microgeneration in Empowering Consumers and Supporting Energy Democracy.
10. Microgeneration and Energy Transition: How can it Facilitate....
Yes, there are several news topics related to adversity that would make for a compelling essay subject. Here are a few examples:
1. The COVID-19 pandemic: You can explore how people worldwide faced numerous adversities due to the pandemic, such as health challenges, economic struggles, mental health issues, and social isolation. You can discuss stories of resilience, innovative solutions, community support, and lessons learned.
2. Climate change and natural disasters: Write about the adversity faced by communities affected by natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, or droughts. Discuss the challenges of rebuilding lives, adapting to new circumstances, and finding sustainable solutions to....
Counter urbanisation refers to the movement of people away from larger urban areas to smaller towns and rural areas.
This phenomenon is often driven by factors such as high cost of living in cities, overcrowding, pollution, and lack of affordable housing.
Individuals may choose to counter urbanise in search of a better quality of life, greater sense of community, or a desire to live closer to nature.
Counter urbanisation can have both positive and negative impacts on the areas experiencing population growth, such as increased strain on infrastructure and services, but also potential economic benefits from new residents.
One potential positive....
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