Sustainable Development

Last month's Rio +20 summit got me to thinking about sustainable development (SD). What is it? Why do it? Is it possible? What would it look like in practise?

What is Sustainable Development?

The classic definition is that it "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Bruntland Commision, 1987). In other words: It's about the current generation developing economically and socially without screwing things up for future generations.

Why Do It?

These "future generations" we're talking about here aren't complete strangers from some distant time, they're our kids, our grand-children, our own flesh-and-blood. We need to give them a fighting chance in what may prove a pivotal century for humanity.

We can't go on as we are. It's just not possible to have perpetual growth on a finite planet. At the moment we are using 1.5 times the Earth's ability to regenerate/absorb what we use in a year. Within a decade we'll need 2 Earths, and if everyone were to live like the average American, we'd need 5 Earths.

This isn't just limited to CO2 emissions, there are many other areas where we are stretching things to breaking point e.g. Deforestation and over-fishing. Add in an ever increasing world population and our kids may be facing a 'perfect storm' of problems that will make their lives a misery.
 

Is SD Possible?

Given the above, we really have no choice but to go for SD. However, since it implies that we have to scale back development to live within the planet's limits, this will ring all sorts of alarm bells in some quarters.

In particular, developing countries will be concerned that they will have to put the brakes on economic growth (China and India would not like that at all), whilst developed countries would be worried that their economies would have to take the biggest hit as they're the ones over-consuming in the first place.

Companies, generally, wouldn't want it, as they'd see it as a threat to their business models: It could mean substantial change to the way they operate and would imply unwanted extra costs.

And, of course, the general public wouldn't like it as it's human nature to resist change, particularly if they think it might threaten their lifestyles.

For these reasons, SD would have to balance 3 elements: Economic; social; and environment (See diagram below). Where these 3 come together (If they do at all) is the solution.

 

Given the scale of change that will required, the incompetence of governments when dealing with global issues, and the amount of resistance it is likely to meet at all stages (Which is why Rio +20 failed), it seems unlikely that we will ever see a serious move towards SD.

However, it is undoubtedly possible if we all recognise why it's necessary and work together for the common good.

What Would It Look Like In Practise

Firstly, everyone must be clear about what's at stake - Business-as-usual will be a complete disaster for the natural environment, the world economy, and us as a species - This will mean that the world's governments must put short-term self-interest to one side and get fully behind SD. Politicians know exactly how to get their countries behind them in a crisis, especially with cross-party support. So this is clearly doable.

What happens next would be up to greater minds than mine. But I'd guess it would include, amongst many other things: 

• a big drive to reduce waste of all kinds (energy, food, land, packaging etc). 

• more recycling and reuse. 

• a push for every business to adopt LEAN principles or similar. 

• a halt to deforestation and a start to reforestation. 

• an end to over-exploitation of food-sources (like fish). 

• modularisation of consumer products so that they can be upgraded rather than discarded, and easily dismantled for recycling when they break down.

• a reduction in unnecessary consumption. 

• promotion of an 'only replace it when necessary' mentality.

It will mean change, and there will be a lot of pain along the way, but the end result will be worth it. Our sacrifices will lay the foundations for future generations to prosper.

--ooOoo--

Footnote: Not all businesses view sustainable development as a threat. Quite the reverse in fact. A growing number are seeing SD as the only way to ensure their long term survival. In fact every time a climate or SD conference comes up these days, the politicians are being pressed by people representing over 200 large international companies to get an agreement sorted out.

Here are a just a few examples of business-led initiatives I've featured in the past: Here, here, and here.