sustainable development

In ecology, development that could continue, in theory, for ever without seriously damaging the environment. Environmental damage may involve, for example, pollution, loss of habitats, extinction of species, and reduction in the diversity of species (biodiversity). In 1992 the greatest summit of leaders the world had ever seen took place in Rio de Janeiro – the Rio Summit. The intention was to set a framework to ensure that humans did not destroy the world through overexploitation and pollution. A key part of the conclusions of the summit was that development should be sustainable.

It is not easy to determine whether a proposed development is sustainable or not. Developments may be so pressing that they have to take place even though they damage the environment. However, the importance of the term ‘sustainable development’ is that it should now be known and used worldwide because most world leaders were signatories at the Rio Summit.