A natural understanding of Sustainable development definition we all need to know in today’s time. This is a guest post by Peter Aleogena.
Sustainability is not only about saving costs on energy consumption or water bills. Sustainability is being responsible; sustainability is respect for human health and well-being and respect for the environment. It was my response to a client after a presentation to him concerning the residential building project he was interested in constructing.
He thought I was making too much fuss about the strategies I had laid out to ensure his building was energy efficient. I have the money to pay for the bills, he said. It was then I realised he did not understand the true meaning of the concept of sustainable development. The thought of sustainable development has been almost for a while, yet, it is still a mystery for many people.
The concept was first presented in 1987 in the Brundtland Report, which drew attention to the negative effect of economic growth and globalisation. It also proffered solutions to the challenges arising as a result of population growth and industrialisation. Put, Sustainable development is the activity of development that meets today’s needs without stealing the chances of future generations to meet their needs.
Sustainable development is using the short term processes and strategies in achieving our obligation of preserving the world’s natural resource with a holistic approach. Sustainability is, therefore, the goal and sustainable development is the process of reaching that goal; which is to maintain human-ecosystem equilibrium.
The underlying assumption of Sustainable development definition is the environment is not an inexhaustible resource, and therefore, we must protect it. Sustainable development is aimed at raising the quality of life of this present generation without compromising that of the next generation. Its objective is to use natural resources while also conserving it for the next generation. The three pillars of sustainable development are; Environmental protection, Social development, and Economic growth.
In 2000, the United Nations adopted eight objectives to meet the primary need of the poorest in the world, which is referred to as The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In 2015 the United Nations Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sustainable development objects are a collection of 17 global goals to ensure all people in the world have equal development and well-being opportunities.
These goals address the eradication of poverty and hunger, to ensure a healthy life, achievement of universal access to fundamental services, such as water, sanitation, and sustainable energy, development opportunities through inclusive education, consumption and production in a sustainable way, reduction of inequality, especially gender inequalities, combating climate change by protecting oceans and terrestrial ecosystems, collaborations to create environment peace and sustainable development.
Can the 2030 agenda be achieved? My answer is yes if we collectively play our roles as individuals, civil organisations, and governments. As an Architect, I am committed to sustainable design and construction. Designing and building structures that are energy efficient by employing passive strategies such as the use of renewable energy, recycling, and sun breaker to incorporate sustainable development into building construction.
I will love to end this article with a quote from Pierre Elliot Trudeau; Will we be able to face our children and assure them that we dared to face these difficult questions, did not lack the stamina to pursue the correct solutions? Now you know what sustainable development is, please act today with tomorrow in mind!
Guest Author–>>
Pеtеr Alеоgеnа is an Architect by training and professional Copywriter who specialises in writing an in-depth blog post about Real Estate, Sustainable Construction, and Project Management topics. With 19 years, оf еxреriеnсе in the building/construction industry.
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