Sustainable development

The competitive world where we are living believes in the theory of “Survival of the Fittest,” meaning the one who is strongest, is the one who survives. However, men in the 21st century have perceived this in a rather different manner, because in the actual sense the strongest people are those who are most ethical and helpful and not the ones who gain strength by hurting others and exploiting nature.

Today, educated people all over the world are well aware of the fact that the environment across the globe has degenerated menacingly to its lowest ebb, and if this deterioration continues further for some more time at this rate, then the very existence of the human race would be in a grave danger.

As a result of this growing awareness, most of us have started taking precautionary measures so as not to put any extra strain on the already fragile social order. But, today, when economic progress takes precedence even over politics, many governments are under great pressure to increase production substantially, to take major strive towards high economic evolution and growth by undertaking developmental activities on a large scale for a quick turn around.

So, every government increasingly engages itself to fulfill the goals of modernisation through rapid industrialisation and technological advancement so as to create more jobs and thriving economies. But the real dilemma is that, if the governments accelerate development activities and industrialisation, then the quality of the environment gets badly affected and, if they do not take visible steps towards economic growth, then they cannot compete with other nations and face criticism from their own people and have, ultimately, to quit.

So, the challenge faced by all countries is: “How to improve or sustain the quality of environment while ensuring high level of economic activity and growth?”

The solution that is generally suggested is that there should be sustainable development. But is this practically feasible without affecting the social domain?

We all know that industrial production and economic growth depend on increasing use of minerals and other natural resources, which finally leads to commercialism, materialism and consumerism. With ever-increasing population growth rate in many developing countries, more and more jobs, houses and other civic amenities and services have to be provided for an increasing number of people, as a result of which, there is bound to be more and more strain on the environment and on the depleting mineral and natural resources.

It is therefore, urgent and important that we realise, at the earliest, that it will simply be impossible for the earth to sustain if the strain on it increases. So, for our survival in a clean and healthy environment, it is utmost necessary to reduce our consumption and wastage by changing our life style.

Yes! That’s the only way out, if we don’t just wish to perish.