Alleviation: An International Journal of Nutrition, Gender & Social Development, ISSN 2348-9340 , Volume 8, Number 8 (2021): 1-5
© Arya PG College (College with Potential for Excellence Status by UGC) & Business Press India Publication, Delhi
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Sustainable Development –A Coordinated Approach Addressing Environmental Conservation

Anjali Dewan
Associate Professor and Head (Retd), Department of Home Science
St. Bede’s College, Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), India
Email: dewananjali2014@gmail.com

Abstract

The protection of the planet's fragile ecosystems and the advancement of human progress can only be achieved through innovative sustainable development initiatives. Ecological sustainability is concerned with reducing or perhaps halting the processes that lead to environmental degradation. The focus of this paper is on a new strategy to global development that recognizes the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues in order to promote a more sustainable future. Making decisions and formulating long-term plans for sustainable growth while keeping an eye on the future is one of the most difficult environmental challenges we face today. According to the Indian government, a global approach to sustainable development must be taken in coordinated manner. Evidence of this may be found in its proactive stance on environmental and human health issues as well as in its support for the construction and upkeep of green infrastructure. Local settings that can no longer support human populations will be the long-term effect of environmental degradation. On a global scale, such deterioration could lead to humanity's extinction

Keywords: Environment, Degradation, Resources, Sustainable Development, Strategies

Introduction

As a socio-ecological process, sustainable development is one in which human needs are met while preserving the quality of the natural environment. In 1980, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published the World Conservation Strategy and coined the phrase "sustainable development" to describe the relationship between environmental protection and economic growth. The Brundtland Commission — technically known as the United Nations General Assembly's World Commission on Environment and Development — released its 1987 report, which popularized the idea. This became the most frequently cited definition of sustainable development as development that meets the demands of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. In the context of environmental, economic, and social considerations, it refers to the intelligent use of resources. The main goal is to maintain and improve one's quality of life while also ensuring that future generations will be able to enjoy the same level of comfort. There should be no interference with ecological processes or life-support systems when using components of biological variety.
It is a collection of methods to create and sustain development which seeks to relieve poverty, create equitable standard of living, and satisfy the basic needs of people.
Ecological concerns aren't the only considerations in sustainable development. The Outcome Document of the 2005 World Summit referred to economic development, social development, and environmental protection as the three interrelated pillars of sustainable development. A major distinction between green construction and sustainable construction is that green construction places a higher value on environmental sustainability than it does on economic or cultural factors. Stakeholders in sustainable development claim that it fosters an environment where cutting-edge green development is not possible. Because of the high expenses of upkeep, a cutting-edge wastewater treatment facility in a low-income area may not be feasible. Even if it is less environmentally effective, a facility that has been forced to close due to bankruptcy is less sustainable than one that can be maintained by the local community. This term is used by some researchers to claim that the environment is a blend of nature and culture.
The ability of the environment to function properly for the foreseeable future is what we mean when we talk about environmental sustainability. Humans' current demands must be met without jeopardising the welfare of future generations. Minimizing environmental degradation while also halting and reversing the processes that lead to it is the goal of environmental sustainability. When nature's resources are depleted faster than they can be replenished, a scenario known as "unsustainable" exists. Nature's resources must be used only at a rate that can be renewed naturally by human activities. Local settings that can no longer support human populations will be the long-term effect of environmental degradation. On a global scale, such deterioration could lead to humanity's extinction.
Temperatures across the globe are rising as a result of climate change, and this is true for India as well (expressed as global warming). In comparison to the pre-industrial revolution period since the 17th century, there has been a temperature increase of 2 degrees centigrade. There are various rivers in the Himalayas that lack water in the dry season due to glaciers rapidly melting as a result of rising temperatures. Asia as a whole will be cut off from Tibet's existing snowtop, which supplies it with water year round, if glaciers disappear. The Himalayan snowcap, commonly known as the third pole, has a significant impact on global climate patterns and rainfall. To compensate, we should expect dry spells throughout the usual rainy season and flash floods outside the rainy season.
We can no longer deny that our world is warming and that human activities are contributing to that warming. However, this isn’t the only environmental problem that we should be concerned about. All across the world, people are facing a wealth of new and challenging environmental problems every day. A handful are little and have little impact, while others have a far-reaching impact on the world as we know it. We are on the verge of a major environmental catastrophe on our planet. Disasters and tragedies can occur now and in the future as a result of current environmental issues. Environmental issues are stacking up all around us, putting us in a condition of global emergency. We will be heading for disaster if we don't deal with the many concerns in a thoughtful and serious manner. There is a pressing need to address the current environmental issues. As the earth's temperature rises, so does the amount of pollution in the atmosphere and the quality of surface and groundwater resources. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Planning Commission of India (PCI) have released maps of water contamination and poisoning variety in Punjab and Haryana, respectively. As a result of the overuse of herbicides and insecticides, the soil is being poisoned. As a result, food items like cereals, fruits, vegetables, milk, and meat and poultry products have become more contaminated. During the post-harvest season, it is illegal to conduct open burning of crop leftovers. People's health has been significantly impacted by soil, water, and air pollution in this area.
Because of the urgency of the problem, any delay in implementing effective solutions will put the region's inhabitants, plants, animals, insects, and birds at serious risk. In the last 30-40 years, a number of plant and avian species have disappeared. Climate change will have an effect on agricultural produce if it is not mitigated. Hybrid cows' lactation periods will also be badly affected, which will lead to a decrease in the state's milk production. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) predicts that India's food grain production will fall from its current level between 2030 and 2050 as a result of crops maturing too early owing to climate change. Unusual rains, drought, hailstorms, floods, and pest infestations will only exacerbate the situation. Farmers and agriculture will be more vulnerable to agricultural losses as a result of the increased frequency of crop damage.
Human actions have exacerbated climate change by interfering massively with earth's natural systems. The ozone layer is being depleted by commonly used substances. Industrial, transportation, and thermal power generation activities all contribute to carbon emissions that must be reduced. Global warming is being caused by the greenhouse effect, which is being exacerbated by the rising levels of carbon dioxide emissions. The appropriate thing to do is to put more focus on renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower rather than dirty thermal energy. To aid in the restoration of the ecological system, about one-third of the country's land area must be covered by forests. The burning of biomass in the fields must be halted at all costs. There is a pressing need for a green tax on actions that harm the environment. Raising the level of living and ensuring a long, happy life are the goals of economic growth. To build a healthy and prosperous society, it is essential to promote environmental protection.
The Need for a New Development Paradigm
By the mid-1980s, the necessity for a new development paradigm had become widely accepted. The United Nations had previously declared the second and third development decades a failure, especially in their inability to break the cycle of poverty that remained in the world's poorest and slowest developing nations. Additional debt-laden countries were plunged into even deeper debt by a combination of the World Bank's and IMF's conditioned loan policies, as well as numerous bilateral and international development aid patterns. Consequently, the high levels of debt, weak economic growth, and increased poverty that already existed in many of these countries were exacerbated. The 1992 Rio Earth Summit on Ecosystem and Development, sponsored by the United Nations, and the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development, held a decade later, illustrate that policymakers have realized the significant problems that lie ahead in protecting the planet's delicate environment. We must discover ways to boost the scientific and socioeconomic viewpoints in order to enable authorities make decisions and establish sustainable development strategies.
Issues and Challenges
Everyone knows that tackling today's challenges means balancing social, economic, and environmental concerns while making decisions for tomorrow. Many diverse environmental and sustainable development challenges have been addressed in research conducted under successive framework programs of research. In general, we face the following challenges today:
• The ways in which climate change, ozone depletion, soil health, and forest health affected by emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere.
• The impact of climate change on the hydro-cycle, interactions between land, oceans, and the atmosphere, groundwater and surface water distribution, freshwater and wetlands ecosystems, and water management techniques (availability, demand, vulnerability, quality, etc.)
• Examining the conservation, mitigation, and rehabilitation options for marine and terrestrial biodiversity to minimize the negative impact of human activities on marine and terrestrial habitats, the relationships between society, economics, and biodiversity habitats, as well as studying the structures and mechanisms while forecasting potential changes.
• Better understanding of the mechanisms of natural disasters and desertification, such as seismic and volcanic activity. also looking at what science can do to help with long-term hydro geological risks forecasting, monitoring, mapping and management of natural hazards as well as disaster preparedness and mitigation techniques
• Strategies for sustainable land management e.g. integrated coastal zone management and assessment methods for assessing the environmental consequences of agriculture and forestry, along with new technologies and integrated techniques to make these sectors more environmentally friendly.
• Improved knowledge of extreme events through operational climate change forecasting and modelling (atmospheric, terrestrial, marine-based) in conjunction with Global Monitoring for the Environment and Security (GMES) and other global observation systems.
• Addressing the concepts and techniques for measuring the sustainability dimension of important policies.
Key Documents
The Rio Declaration
International cooperation in environmental and development challenges is based on the 27 principles of the Rio Declaration. The 1972 Stockholm Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Environment was the foundation for the Rio Declaration. Environmental protection and economic growth must be intertwined, according to the Stockholm conference, which was the first worldwide meeting of nations on this issue.
Agenda 21
The Rio Summit's Agenda 21 was a framework for action on key concerns related to sustainable development. First, Agenda 21 expressly connected the need for development and poverty eradication with progress towards sustainable development.
The Bruntland Report
Our Common Future which was published in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development. It helped to provide the groundwork for the Environmental Principles. To avoid unacceptable levels of human sufferings and environmental devastation, this document urged individuals to adjust their lifestyles and businesses.
Global Compact
The environmental principles outlined in the Global Compact serve as a springboard for businesses seeking to address today's most pressing environmental issues. Human activities have substantial impact on the planet's life-support systems and environmental deterioration, therefore the principles steer effort into areas such as research and innovation, cooperation with others, education, and self-regulation.
Strategies for Sustainable Future
The government has underlined the importance of a coordinated strategy to achieve long-term sustainability. Government's efforts are further illustrated by its actions on climate change and human health and the environment as well as its support for green infrastructure in India and acknowledgement of tribal people's unique link to the natural environment. A recent promise by the government to routinely update strategy has also been made, ensuring that progress will be made. In this regard, the following are some recurring themes:
• Building and enhancing knowledge in support of integrated decision-making through strengthening and increasing access to information in India.
• Assisting policymakers in their efforts to enhance sustainable development by raising their level of knowledge and awareness.
• Enhancing and establishing new collaborations, taking the lead in environmentally friendly operations, encouraging technological advancement, and advocating for the adoption of sustainable development policies and practices both in India and overseas.
• Coordinated Approach for best practices of procurement, waste management, conservation of water, energy efficiency, fleet management, land use management, and human resource administration.
• When businesses use environmentally-friendly strategies, such as reducing or eliminating the use of harmful chemicals and reusing resources, they can boost productivity while also improving their environmental performance.
The health and well-being of Indian communities has a direct impact on the quality of life for the people who live there. Sustainable communities are able to adapt to change and have a long-term perspective. Community sustainability, however, necessitates a coordinated approach to knowledge, assistance, and expertise in the face of complex environmental, economic, and social concerns.
Sustainable Development and Healthy Indians
The natural and physical surroundings, as well as societal, cultural, and economic elements, all have an impact on human health. Children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, the elderly, and indigenous people may be particularly exposed to the effects of climate change. It's time to convene a gathering of experts from different fields to talk about the importance of human health in making decisions for long-term development. In order to safeguard our citizens' health and general well-being, we should carry on this conversation across agencies, which will examine information requirements, action plans, and methods for involving the general public.
Social and Cultural Aspects of Sustainable Development
People are beginning to realize that the concept of sustainable development encompasses a wide range of social and cultural issues, from poverty to the distribution of wealth. These have the potential to have an impact on our society's long-term viability and sustainability, as well as its impact on the environment. Our grasp of the social and cultural aspects of sustainable development is still in its infancy. As a result, a number of public and private organizations will join forces to conduct exploratory research and provide social policy perspectives in order to better understand this area and the links involved.
Role of Centre for Environmental Education (CEE)
Environmental education and awareness is at the heart of CEE's mission, which is helping people to become aware of the environment by advocating conservation and sustainable use of the earth's natural resources. Innovative educational programmes and materials are developed, and educational capacity is built. There are demonstration projects in education and communication that endorses attitudes and methods that are committed to ensuring that the role of education is given proper recognition in the promotion of sustainability. Certain techniques have been used to ensure that CEE and its programmes are as successful and efficient as possible. The following are examples:
1) Adaptability
The ability to function effectively in a variety of social, political, cultural, and economic environments.
2) Partnerships
It is important to work with other organizations that have complementary qualities in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and maximize synergistic convergence of ideas and aims in a collaborative endeavour.
3) Building Synergies
Synergy between government, non-profits and the CEE to achieve a broad range of outcomes.
4) Identifying Key Entry Points
Multiplying gains by identifying key points of entry and important targets for launching and consolidating gains.
5) Facilitating Networks
Various resources such as conversations, directories, newsletters, etc., are used to facilitate networks at the local, national, and regional levels.
6) Developing a Cadre of Professionals
By improving the capability of individuals who, in turn, infuse this professionalism into the organisations where they work, it is hoped to improve and strengthen professionalism in the field of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). This will benefit both those organizations and CEE.
7) Ensuring Quality Control and Excellence
Infrastructural support like studios, workshops, and printing facilities are used to provide quality control and excellence in the production of all material.
The Swachh Bharat Mission takes a proactive approach to ensuring a clean and prosperous nation. For the first time, over 85 million homes have access to restrooms. The open defecation of almost 4 million Indians is no longer a need. The percentage of people who have access to clean water has increased from 39 per cent to 95 per cent. Cleanup of India's rivers is progressing quickly. Several sections of the Ganga (our lifeline) had become contaminated. An organization called the Namami Ganges Mission is taking care of the issues at hand. Skill India's environmental goals, such as the Green Skill Development Program, which aims to include approximately seven million young people in environmental, forestry and wildlife conservation by the year 2021, will go a long way towards generating numerous opportunities for skilled employment of all kinds. Over 31 crore LED bulbs have been distributed as part of the Ujwala Yojana, lowering electricity costs and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Environmentalism should be grounded in environmental consciousness, not just regulations issued by the government.
The Path Forward
The different agencies involved in sustainable development will continue to learn and improve as the journey continues. A series of coordinated efforts amongst agencies will continue as we move forward with the modified strategies. As part of this, we'll be working to improve communications with and amongst our citizens, while also advancing science and technology and educating our employees. As well as making progress in the existing priority areas, the government plans to look for other ways to work together. All levels of government and departments must work together in the 21st century to make our society more sustainable. Decision-makers at all levels of society will have to put in time and effort to move towards a more sustainable future. The Government of India's solution to this huge challenge relies heavily on the Sustainable Development Strategies. The strategies will establish common aims and measures for ensuring healthy human and natural ecosystems, supporting emerging governance systems, advancing appropriate use of natural resources, building dynamic communities and influencing international activities. The goal of sustainable development is to create a society where everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from economic progress while also protecting the environment and responsibly using natural resources and to improve one's quality of life.
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