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What Is Sustainable Development?: Tweet With Us !!
What Is Sustainable Development?: Tweet With Us !!
What Is Sustainable Development?: Tweet With Us !!
#MGCYRiowebs
@earthcharter
@UNCSD_MGCY
@EOTOWorld
what is
sustainable
development?
UNCSD Major Group of Children and Youth
In collaboration with Earth Charter International and EOTO World
Welcome to the first webinar!
This webinar will cover the following materials:
• What is sustainable development
• Why does it matter for young people?
• What is my role in it?
• How to create your own message and talk about sustainable
development.
“Sustainable development is
development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.”
A brief history of sustainable development
1972: Stockholm UN
Conference on Human 1987: Brundtland
1962: Rachel Carson’s Development, first bringing Commission: “Our
book “Silent Spring” together heads of state on Common Future”
becomes the catalyst for a massive scale to address
modern environmentalism the question of environment
and development
2002: Johannesburg
Conference on 2009: COP15 Copenhagen
Sustainable Development 2010: COP16 Cancun And now…
• Johannesburg Plan of 2011: COP17 Durban Rio+20…
Implementation
Sustainable development is more
Society than just caring about the
environment, or generating money
through economic growth.
Sustainable
Economy develop-
ment
We need mechanisms to “measure” sustainable development. This is why indicators are used. One
of the current issues is that the indicator used, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is not appropriate
for measuring sustainable development. Firstly, it is based on money. Secondly, using GDP as
measure does not reflect social inequality or resource overexploitation.
• Health: everyone having access to healthcare and leading healthy lifestyles, and
diseases (such as HIV) being eradicated
• Education: everyone, esp. girls and people from poor background having access to
education
• Equality: everyone should be equal, and not be discriminated against because they
do not have the same resources or wealth as others, or because they are a girl or
belong to a specific community etc.
• Peace: many of us may take peace for granted;
however, last year, over 30 conflicts
and wars around the world were
taking place and lack of security
is a very real issue for a lot of youth.
• Food security, technology
and communication,
equal opportunities etc
Sustainable development – the environmental dimension
The environment pillar of sustainable development is crucial; once we understand that the resources that the planet offers are finite it becomes
clear that current methods of consumption are using up more resources than the planet can afford.
Examples of how human activities have altered the planet are:
• Climate change and global warming
Human activities and choices (esp use of fossil fuels!) have released huge amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere, which are
naturally trapped by our ozone layer – thus contributing to the “greenhouse effect” and global warming. This has in turn led to changes in
weather patterns, more dramatic and destructive natural occurrences, drying up of water resources and melting of polar icecaps –
themselves contributing to the rise in sea levels.
• Deforestation
Humans have destroyed huge amounts of trees to make place for agriculture, construction, industry, and to use as resources eg for making
paper or houses. This has had a
huge impact on the planet as trees are not only a huge sink of
the planet’s CO2, but they also provide “ecosystem
services” such as preventing erosion, harbouring countless
species and so on.
• Loss of biodiversity
Human activities have disrupted ecosystems and also led to
the disappearance – extinction – of countless species
of plants and animals.
Many conflicting views of sustainable development believe that it is actually anti-growth
and anti-wealth. On the contrary, SD is about balance and a holistic approach to
development. This means that some things need to be preserved and sustained while
others should be given the incentive to be developed.
Sustainable development is
especially important for young
people! The implementation of
sustainable development policies
going into effect now will determine
the future which we will inherit
tomorrow!
Because it is youth who will inherit this
planet, by advocating for sustainable
development, and adopting
sustainable practices, you are actively
participating in shaping your own
future.
Making those decisions…
EOTO WORLD
Website: http://www.eotoworld.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EOTOWorld
Twitter: @EOTOWorld
Thank you for joining us! Now go and spread the word, youthful sustainability leaders!