Think green: the relation between economic development and the environment
Fabliha Afia:
The environment is not separate from human actions, needs or ambitions. Viewing the “environment” as separate from human concerns, create a sense of naivety. Similarly, the meaning of “economic development” is often viewed in a narrow spectrum, along the lines of creating wealth. This economic perspective however limits the understanding of development.
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
The “environment” is where we all live; and “development” is what we do in order to progress – while living within that abode. The two concepts are inseparable. However often this interconnection is disregarded. Many of the development paths often chosen are unsustainable. For example, many development decisions put enormous pressure on the planet’s lands, waters, forests, and other natural resources. Regularly resources are being over consumed and wasted. Forms of economic development also erode the environment, and such environmental deterioration can weaken the economy. For example, degradation of soils, water regimes, atmosphere, forests, etc adversely affects our economic growth. The consequence is that, development decisions like these will have an adverse effect on the ability of people to continue human progress for generations to come. Thus Globally there has been a growing realisation that it is impossible to set apart economic development issues from environment issues.[1]
This realization has expanded the understanding of development. It is no longer restricted to economic growth only. Development includes sustainability of human progress not just for a few years, but for the distant future. This integration of sustainability and development is called “sustainable development”. Sustainable development has become the new standard to be met by all nations at a global and national level.[2]
The United Nations (UN) has recognised and urged all countries to promote sustainable development. “Sustainable development” has been defined by the UN as promotion of social and economic development within the carrying capacity of ecosystems while taking account of the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.[3]
The Sustainable development agenda has 17 goals, known as the sustainable development goals (SDGs). These are: (1) no poverty, (2) zero hunger, (3) good health and well-being, (4) quality education, (5) gender equality, (6) clean water and sanitation, (7) affordable and clean energy, (8) decent work and economic growth, (9) industry, innovation and infrastructure, (10) reduced inequalities, (11) sustainable cities and communities, (12) responsible consumption and production, (13) climate action, (14) life below water, (15) life on land, (16) peace, justice and strong institutions, (17) partnerships with the goal.[4]
The SDGs came into effect in January 2016. These are global goals adopted by 193 countries,[5] including Bangladesh to be achieved by 2030.[6]
The United Nations Sustainable Development Summit was held on 25 September 2015 in New York. World leaders of more than 150 countries attended the summit and adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including SDGs. Helen Clark, then administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said “ours is the last generation which can head off the worst effects of climate change and the first generation with the wealth and knowledge to eradicate poverty. For this, fearless leadership from us all is needed.” “If the global community collectively is prepared to step up to the challenge of achieving Sustainable Development Goals, then there’s a chance of achieving sustainable development – and with it better prospects for people and our planet.”[7]
The SDGs thus work in the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the right choices now to improve life, in a sustainable way, for future generations. They provide clear guidelines and targets for all countries to adopt in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world at large.[8]
WHY IS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IMPORTANT: FROM ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE
Sustainable development thus includes protection of the ecosystem. For example, SDG 13 specifically focuses on climate action. Similarly, SDG 12 encourages responsible consumption and production, SDGs 14 and 15 target life below water and life on land, SDG 6 encourages clean water and sanitation, SDG 7 promotes clean energy, SDG 11 focuses on sustainable cities and communities, etc. These are all linked to environmental protection. Thus simply from the list of SDGs an idea can be formed of the emphasis and the importance of the environment.
Protection of the environment is important. To quote United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, ‘Protecting the environment is preserving life itself’.[9] Protection of the environment is important because a number of economic development trends threaten to extensively change the planet, threaten the lives of many species, including the human species. For example, burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; which is causing gradual global warming. This is called the ‘greenhouse effect’ and is responsible for the increased average global temperatures. Such climate change adversely impacts every country, including Bangladesh.[10] Stephen Hawking, in an interview warned about the ultimate consequences of denying climate change. He stated that if climate change is not addressed then global warming will reach a point when it can no longer be reversed. The Earth could become like Venus, where the temperature is 250 degrees and rains sulfuric acid. Venus is the solar system’s hottest planet. The temperature is so high that metals like lead can melt.[11] Under such extreme conditions, human life cannot survive. This illustrates the seriousness of the situation and the importance of environmental protection.
CONCLUSION
Plato [427-347 BC], cited in Jowett (1892:53 1)
“Now the country was in those days inhabited… The land was the best in the world, and was therefore able… to support a vast army, raised from the surrounding people. Even the remnant of Attica which now exists may compare with any region in the world for the variety and excellence of its fruits… but the earth has fallen away all round and sunk out of sight… in comparison of what then was, there are remaining only the bones of a wasted body.”
Since Plato’s remarks environmental damage has been caused to a greater extent. Recently in a research paper titled “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice” (2017), Professor William Ripple from Oregon State University, the lead author of the paper shared:
“To prevent widespread misery and catastrophic biodiversity loss, humanity must practice a more environmentally sustainable alternative to business as usual.” The paper further notes, “Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory, and time is running out. We must recognize, in our day-to-day lives and in our governing institutions, that Earth with all its life is our only home.”[12]
These related awareness have intertwined the economy and the ecology. Thus what is required now, is to accept and improvise that economic growth is not only limited to economic progression but development which is socially and environmentally sustainable.
Thus we need to consider this issue seriously, and recognize that the environment needs to be protected; because our survival is linked to the health of the planet Earth. Secretary-General António Guterres of United Nations stated ‘the quality of water we drink, the food we eat and the air we breathe all depend on keeping the natural world in good health.’ We have the power to harmonise human affairs with natural laws and to thrive in the process. Hence we need to translate our words into a language that reaches the minds and hearts of the people. Unless we become aware of the importance of the environment, we will not be able to undertake the extensive social changes needed to correct the course of development. Thus to preserve a sustainable environment, to reach the SDG’s everyone needs to do their part: the Government, the private sector, the civil society and together make that better world a reality.
[1] Lucretia Dogaru, “The importance of environmental protection and sustainable development” (2013) <https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82197444.pdf> accessed 27 March 2018
[2] United Nations, ‘Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ <https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf> accessed 22 May 2018
[3] Ibid.
[4] United Nations, ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ <https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/> accessed 22 May 2018
[5] United Nations Development Programme, ‘World leaders adopt Sustainable Development Goals’ <http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2015/09/24/undp-welcomes-adoption-of-sustainable-development-goals-by-world-leaders.html> accessed 22 May 2018
[6] UNDP Bangladesh, ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ <http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html> accessed 22 May 2018
[7] United Nations Development Programme, ‘World leaders adopt Sustainable Development Goals’ <http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2015/09/24/undp-welcomes-adoption-of-sustainable-development-goals-by-world-leaders.html> accessed 22 May 2018
[8] UNDP Bangladesh, ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ <http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html> accessed 22 May 2018
[9] United Nations, ‘Earth Hour 2018’ <https://www.facebook.com/unitednations/videos/10156359040330820/> accessed 22 May 2018
[10] Australian Government Department of the Environemnt and Energy, ‘Greenhouse effect’ <http://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/climate-science/greenhouse-effect> accessed 23 May 2018
[11] Brut, ‘Stephen Hawking on global warming’ (03 July 2017) <https://www.facebook.com/brutamerica/videos/1856858531279324/> accessed 23 may 2018
[12] William J. Ripple, Christopher Wolf, Thomas M. Newsome, Mauro Galetti, Mohammed Alamgir, Eileen Crist, Mahmoud I. Mahmoud, William F. Laurance, and 15,364 scientist signatories from 184 countries, ‘World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice’ (2017) <http://scientists.forestry.oregonstate.edu/sites/sw/files/Warning_article_with_supp_11-13-17.pdf> accessed 20 March 2018
The writer is a Barrister-at-Law
