Sustainable development is the type of development that satisfies the current needs of the society without interfering with “the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs”. On the contrary, unsustainable development does not consider the future generations, or their needs. Sustainable development projects are designed to take care of not only the current population but also the coming generations. Sustainable development seeks to take care of the long term needs as opposed to unsustainable development that take care of short term needs (Kates & Parris, 2005).
A good example of sustainable development is a decision by governments to encourage use of renewable energy sources. This could be a part of plan to transform the energy market on a global scale. The long term achievement will be use of renewable sources of energy and protection of the environment. By use renewable energy, the current global energy crisis might be resolved, while at the same time, the future generations will be able to meet their needs. This is because renewable energy is cheaper than non-renewable energy. The environment will also be protected at present and in future (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Sustainable development projects around the world cover peace, environment, food, education, employment and other needs that are evident in the current world. In environment protection, sustainable development protects the integrity of the ecology, reduces wastes and protects the inhabitants or species in those environments. Activities geared towards sustainable development are meant to achieve equity in terms of resources. The present generation shares the unlimited resources with future generations while protecting the natural resources (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Unsustainable development does not take into consideration the social, economic or environmental needs of the future generations. According to research, unsustainable development can occur as a result of deliberate carelessness. However, that is not always the cause of unsustainable development. It can occur as a result of good intentions just like sustainable development. Lack of understanding of the possible long term consequences makes it to become unsustainable.
A good example of unsustainable development can occur in irrigation projects. These projects are always planned with good intentions and with good interest of both the current and future generations. They can be carried out to relieve countries suffering from hunger and poverty, which is a global predicament. In this way, the project falls under sustainable development since the future generation will not be affected by food insecurity.
However, over irrigation might result in depletion of natural water sources. Aral Sea in Asia is a typical example of a water source that was utilized in irrigation by the Soviet Union. Overuse of this sea initiated a long process of desertification that endangered the future generations. This turned a sustainable development project into an unsustainable development affecting millions of people and endangering the natural environment (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Another example of an unsustainable development that is initially planned with good intentions is an urban planning project. This plan is supposed to solve urban housing problem, prevent the growth of slums, and solve the sewerage and garbage problem. Growth in population changes everything that was initially planned. The houses constructed under the plan serve the current generation but cannot handle an increase in population. The future generations suffer the problem of water supply, getting rid of sewerage wastes and limited supply of electricity and other social amenities (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Some studies have attempted to consolidate the wide literature of sustainable development. The relationship and distinction between what advocates and analysts seek to sustain and what they seek to develop has been focused by some researchers. Three categories of what need to be sustained are nature, community and life support system. Emphasis is placed on life support systems that incorporate environment. Environmental studies have strengthened this definition of sustainable development. Some studies on sustainable development do not value nature for its aid to human being but for its intrinsic value (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Correspondingly, there are three quite different ideas about what should be developed. These include the economy, people and society. Majority of the early studied emphasized on economic development. Productive sectors offering jobs, preferred consumption, and income. Lately, concentration has shifted to human development. These include focus on principles and objectives, such as rise in life expectancy, learning, equality, and opportunities. In essence, sustainable development means combining something that is to be sustained with what is to be developed (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Some authors have identified three pillars of sustainable development as economic, environmental and social. A collective responsibility to advance and strengthen the relationship and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development has been encouraged. This has been encouraged at local, regional, national and global scale. The term sustainable development has been used by administrators and politicians to sway the public opinion towards their goals. On the other hand, unsustainable development has been applied as a derogatory phrase by the public to any development project that goes against their interests (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Sustainable development is related to the values that support the activities that benefit both present and future generations. These values are beliefs that are expressionless but expressed in terms of benefits. They invoke feelings and direct people to do good for themselves and for future generations. Unsustainable development benefits only the present generations without considering the future generations (Kates & Parris, 2005).
Sustainable development unlike unsustainable development is defined in practice. The practice involves a lot of efforts at concept stage, goals establishment, creation of indicators and value assessment. It can also be seen as a social movement, a group of people who have come together to meet a common objective. In this regard, non-governmental organizations, scientific communities, local authorities, trade unions and women movements can all be defined as social movements (Kates & Parris, 2005).
References
Kates, R. W., & Parris, T. M. (2005). What is Sustainable Development: Goals, Indicators,Values and Practice. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development , 47,3:8-21.