Natural or human-created processes can be regarded as sustainable if they can be maintained indefinitely by replacing the resources consumed with the resources of equal or higher value without harming or jeopardizing the natural ecosystems. To achieve environmental sustainability, we must balance the needs of biological ecosystems with the social, political, and economic issues we confront as a society.
Sustainable development, on the other hand, is also described as a development that satisfies the requirements of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations to satisfy their own needs. Two fundamental notions are contained in it:
- An emphasis should be placed on the most basic requirements of those living in poverty, including the conception of “needs.”
- The concept that the environment’s ability to fulfill existing and future requirements is restricted by technological and societal constraints.
Key Elements of Sustainable Development
The following guidelines can help us attain long-term sustainability:
- Limiting the use of environmental resources by humans, both individually and collectively.
- To be truly effective, technological advancement must make use of input rather than rely on it for its own sake. As a result, providing technology that minimizes the use of scarce resources and increases productivity is essential.
- It is important that consumption does not outpace salvation.
- When using renewable resources, the rate of consumption should not be greater than the pace of generation of their renewable alternatives.
- Pollution reduction and better waste disposal are two of our top priorities.
- Use of the Earth’s resources in a wise manner for climate change reversal.
Methods of Sustainability and Development
Based on environmental ideas of economic growth, sustainable development may be achieved. Policies and plans for a country’s growth are frequently made in light of such recommendations. These ideas span from welfare state economic models to a more radical approach that calls for the downfall of capitalism and the adoption of ecological principles. There are a number of emerging trends, and we’ll focus on two main types of sustainable development approaches. They are:
A Neoliberal Strategy
People who believe in capitalism think that business does not generate pollution because it fosters sensible use of resources in a free market competition that is based on a comparative advantage system. Economic globalization presents a chance for resource efficiency for free-marketeers.
As a result of restrictions on commerce, the economy and the environment would suffer, which in turn will have a devastating effect on human society. Due to economic growth’s deterioration, people will no longer care about the environment or forestation, and will instead focus on ensuring that they have enough food, water, and shelter to survive. Trade and environmental conservation may be mutually beneficial because profits from trade can be used to further environmental protection.
Interventionist and Reformist Approaches
Using a reformist approach, consumers and producers are given incentives or penalties for adopting environmentally friendly economic practices. Subsidies and taxes are two examples of financial mechanisms that might be used to achieve this goal. Interventionist techniques aim to promote environmentally friendly growth by altering the legal frameworks in place. Manipulating the markets through taxes and subsidies changes economic behavior and development strategies.
Anthropologists Contributing to Development
The number of anthropologists engaged by development agencies, NGOs, and private consulting businesses is steadily increasing. In other words, when we talk about applied anthropology, we’re not just talking about what an anthropologist may accomplish. There is a wide range of tasks that anthropologists in the field are requested to do.
For example, there may be efforts to include data from applied research into project assessment and evaluation, or there could be a concerted effort to enlist local participation. The length of an assignment might range from a few weeks as a consultant to several years as a full-time employee on a project.
