Securing economic development, social equity and justice, and environmental protection is the goal
of sustainable development. Although these three factors can work in harmony, they are often found
to conflict with one another. During the latter half of the 20th century economic development for a
better standard of living has been instrumental in damaging the environment. We are now in a
position whereby we are consuming more resources than ever, and polluting the Earth with waste
products.
The aim of sustainable development is to balance our, environmental and social needs, allowing
prosperity for now and future generations. Sustainable development consists of a long-term,
integrated approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by jointly addressing economic,
environmental, and social issues, whilst avoiding the over consumption of key natural resources.
Sustainable development encourages us to conserve and enhance our resource base, by gradually
changing the ways in which we develop and use technologies. Countries must be allowed to meet their
basic needs of employment, food, energy, water and sanitation. If this is to be done in a
sustainable manner, then there is a definite need for a sustainable level of population. Economic
growth should be supported and developing nations should be allowed a growth of equal quality to the
developed nations.
