Ecology: Biology of Interactions. 6.14. The Concept of Sustainable Development
According to the definition adopted by the international community, sustainable development is the development of humanity in which meeting present needs does not undermine the ability of future generations to meet their own needs...
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6.13. Military Danger
D. Shabanov, M. Kravchenko. Ecology: Biology of Interaction Section 6. Human Ecology and Conservation
6.15. (Addendum) On the Animal Nature of Man
6.14. The Concept of Sustainable Development The need to change humanity’s relationship with its environment is not only a subject for philosophical reflection, but also a basis for practical activity by international institutions. In 1987, the International Commission on Environment and Development (the “Brundtland Commission”) presented the report Our Common Future. In this report, the concept of sustainable development was formulated. This concept was adopted as a programmatic goal for humanity at the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. That conference adopted a document called Agenda 21. Intermediate results of implementing this program were reviewed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in 2002 in Johannesburg (South Africa). It is difficult to give an unambiguous assessment of the international community’s success in meeting these goals, but it is clear that current efforts are insufficient. According to the definition adopted by the international community, sustainable development is development of humanity in which meeting present-day needs does not undermine the ability of future generations to meet their needs. In other words, sustainable development is such development of humanity that satisfies its needs without narrowing its opportunities (see also section 6.23). It is obvious, for example, that accelerated burning of fossil fuels in no way corresponds to the ideas of sustainable development. What should be done? Current human needs must somehow be limited, for example through agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol. But these measures are insufficient, are they not? Unfortunately, today the international community cannot ensure implementation even of such half-measures. This example shows that humanity has not yet reached a state where its development is guided by reason rather than by spontaneous instincts and group egoism. Unfortunately, the longer the beginning of change is postponed, the more abrupt these changes will have to be. What will they be like? Let us hope our species meets the evolutionary challenge before it, and each of us has an opportunity to contribute within our capacity.
6.13. Military Danger
D. Shabanov, M. Kravchenko. Ecology: Biology of Interaction Section 6. Human Ecology and Conservation
6.15. (Addendum) On the Animal Nature of Man