What Makes Sustainable Development Essential?

Environment and economy are interdependent and need each other. Hence, development that ignores its repercussions on the environment will destroy the environment that sustains life forms. What is needed is sustainable development. 

Sustainable Development: Balancing Environment and Economy

• Sustainable development, as defined by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), is about meeting the present generation’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. 
  • The key terms in this definition are “needs” and “future generations,” emphasizing the equitable distribution of resources.
  • “Sustainable development” also means improving the material standard of living for those at the grassroots level, particularly the poor. 
  • Sustainable development improvement includes factors such as increased income, access to education, healthcare, sanitation, and clean water.
• Furthermore, it aims to reduce absolute poverty by providing secure livelihoods while minimizing resource depletion, environmental damage, cultural disruption, and social instability. 
• Sustainable development strives to meet the basic needs of all, especially the impoverished majority, in areas like employment, food, energy, water, and housing, fostering growth across various sectors to fulfill these needs.

How can we Achieve Sustainable Development Goals as Future Guardians?

• The Brundtland Commission underscores the importance of protecting future generations by leaving them a planet that is in good environmental condition. 
  • This resonates with the argument put forth by environmentalists, emphasizing a moral obligation to hand over Earth to the next generation in a better state than we inherited it.
• To achieve sustainable development, the present generation must promote development that enhances the natural and built environment while ensuring:
  • Conservation of Natural Assets: Protecting and conserving natural resources.
  • Preservation of Ecological Regeneration: Maintaining the Earth’s natural ecological systems’ regenerative capacity.
  • Avoiding Imposition on Future Generations: Ensuring that the development process doesn’t burden future generations with added costs or risks.

Herman Daly, an environmental economist, outlines key steps for achieving sustainable development:

• Population Control: Limiting the human population to a level within the Earth’s carrying capacity.
• Efficient Technology: Fostering technological progress that is input-efficient rather than resource-consuming.
• Sustainable Resource Use: Extracting renewable resources at a sustainable rate, ensuring that it doesn’t exceed the rate of regeneration.
• Non-Renewable Resources: Managing non-renewable resources so that the rate of depletion doesn’t surpass the rate of creating renewable substitutes.
• Pollution Mitigation: Correcting inefficiencies arising from pollution.

In 2015, the United Nations formulated 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030. These goals cover various aspects of sustainable development, including poverty alleviation, clean energy, climate action, and gender equality. 

How can India Implement Sustainable Development Strategies?

India is actively pursuing sustainable development by implementing energy strategies that aim to reduce its environmental impact while meeting its growing energy needs. Several key initiatives focus on shifting away from conventional power sources with adverse environmental effects.

• Non-Conventional Energy Sources for Sustainable Development:

• • India is reducing its reliance on thermal and hydroelectric power plants, which emit greenhouse gases and disrupt natural ecosystems. 
  • Instead, the country is harnessing wind power and solar energy.
  • Wind turbines and solar panels are being used to generate clean, renewable electricity.

• LPG and Gobar Gas in Rural Areas:
  • In rural areas, households traditionally used biomass fuels like wood and dung cakes, leading to deforestation and air pollution.
  • To address this, subsidized LPG and gobar gas (biogas) plants are being promoted for Sustainable Development. 
  • LPG is a clean fuel that reduces household pollution, while gobar gas is produced from cattle dung and serves as a clean energy source and organic fertilizer.

• CNG Revolution: Clearing the Air in Indian Urban Centers
  • The use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in public transport systems, particularly in Delhi, has significantly reduced air pollution, contributing to sustainable development. 
  • Many Indian cities have adopted CNG as a cleaner alternative fuel. 
• Sustainable Power with Windmills:
  • Windmills are utilized in areas with consistent high wind speeds to generate electricity without harming the environment. 
  • While the initial costs are high, the long-term benefits and reduced environmental impact make them a viable choice.

• Solar Power through Photovoltaic Cells:
  • India, with abundant sunlight, is increasingly investing in solar energy. 
  • In recent years, India is taking efforts to increase the power generation through solar.
  • Photovoltaic cells convert solar energy into electricity, making it a valuable resource for remote areas and places where grid connections are impractical or costly.
  • Solar power is a pollution-free and sustainable energy option.
  • India is also leading an International body called the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• Mini-Hydel Plants in India:

• • India is tapping into the energy potential of perennial streams in mountainous regions with mini-hydel plants. 
  • These small-scale hydroelectric facilities use stream energy to generate electricity locally. 
  • They have minimal environmental impact, maintain local land use patterns, and reduce the need for extensive transmission infrastructure.
• Traditional Knowledge and Practices:

• • India’s traditional systems of agriculture, healthcare, housing, and transportation were inherently eco-friendly. 
  • Traditional healthcare, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Tibetan, and folk remedies, is making a comeback due to their effectiveness and minimal environmental impact. 
  • Herbal products are gaining popularity for their eco-friendliness and fewer side effects
• Biocomposting in Indian Agriculture:
  • After decades of heavy chemical fertilizer use, Indian farmers are returning to composting organic waste for sustainable agriculture. 
  • Earthworms are used to accelerate composting, reducing waste and benefiting soil quality.
  •  Cattle dung is also valued as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner. 
• India’s Biopest Control Revolution:
  • The excessive use of chemical pesticides led to environmental pollution. 
  • India is now adopting biopest control methods, including neem-based pesticides and promoting mixed cropping. 
  • Farmers are also encouraged to maintain natural predators like snakes, birds, and lizards, which help control pests. 

These efforts signify a shift towards cleaner and more environmentally responsible energy sources, aligning with the principles of sustainable development.

Conclusion

• Progress so far: The journey of the Indian economy from independence to the present day is a multifaceted tale of development, progress, and challenges.
  • Over the decades, India has made significant strides in various sectors, transforming itself into a major player on the global economic stage.
• Examining the sectors of the Indian economy reveals the intricate web of agriculture, industry, and services, each playing a vital role in shaping the nation’s economic landscape.
  • Agriculture: It Remains a crucial sector, providing livelihoods to millions, while industry and services sectors have seen impressive growth, contributing significantly to GDP.
• However, this journey has also brought to the fore environmental challenges and questions of sustainability. 
• Hence, the pursuit of sustainable development is becoming increasingly important, necessitating responsible resource management, environmental conservation, and the integration of eco-friendly practices into economic activities.