Environmental Studies

Assignment 1

Submitted to:-
Ar. Amod Sir

Submitted By:-
Prajakta Sushil Vaidya
• Define Sustainability, Sustainable
Development and Differentiate between
them.

Sustainability and sustainable development are often

used interchangeably. Both speak to the danger of consuming
resources faster than they can be replenished. However, a
close look at sustainability vs. sustainable development reveals
nuances that differentiate them.
Sustainability is a broad term that describes managing
resources without depleting them for future generations. This
concept goes beyond environmental sustainability, which
concerns earth’s natural resources, to include economic and
social sustainability, which relate to meeting people’s current
economic and social needs without compromising future
generations.
Sustainable development describes the processes for
improving long-term economic well-being and quality of life
without compromising future generations’ ability to meet
their needs.
Individuals with a comprehensive understanding of these two
essential concepts can help support society’s current needs
and plan for the future. Professionals in the sustainability
field can use their knowledge to help organizations integrate
the principles of sustainability and sustainable development
into their operations. They can also guide government and
business leaders in developing sustainability goals, defining
sustainability success, and assessing the effects of their
decisions. Their actions can make an impact on equity,
responsibility, and social justice.
• Write note on pillars of Sustainable
Development.
sustainability may be taken further and it is widely accepted
that to achieve sustainability we must balance
economic, environmental and social factors in equal harmony.
This may be illustrated with a sustainability Venn diagram, as
shown below:

This is also known as the three pillars of sustainability.

So to achieve true sustainability we need to balance economic,
social and environmental sustainability factors in equal
harmony. These may be defined as:

Social Sustainability:
Social sustainability is the ability of society, or any social
system, to persistently achieve a good social well being.
Achieving social sustainability ensures that the social well
being of a country, an organisation, or a community can be
maintained in the long term.
Economic Sustainability:
Economic sustainability requires that a business or country uses
its resources efficiently and responsibly so that it can operate in
a sustainable manner to consistently produce an operational
profit. Without an operational profit a business cannot sustain
it’s activities. Without acting responsibly and using its resources
efficiently a company will not be able to sustain it’s activities in
the long term.

Environmental Sustainability:
It means that we are living within the means of our natural
resources. To live in true environmental sustainability, we need
to ensure that we are consuming our natural resources, such as
materials, energy fuels, land, water…etc, at a sustainable
rate. Some resources are more abundant than others and
therefore we need to consider material scarcity, the damage to
environment from extraction of these materials and if the
resource can be kept within Circular Economy principles.

Taking these three pillars of sustainability further if we only

achieve two out of three pillars then we end up with:
• Social + Economic Sustainability = Equitable
• Social + Environmental Sustainability = Bearable
• Economic + Environmental Sustainability = Viable
• Explain briefly about Sustainable
Development Goals.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to
action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all
people enjoy peace and prosperity. The goals are to be
achieved by all member states by year 2030. They are a
universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and
ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The goals are
broad, interdependent and cover social, economic and social
issues and making them work is everyone's responsibility.
Following are the Goals of Sustainable Development:-

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Poverty is defined as income less than 1.25
USD per day. The targets for this goal
include a world where the poor are not
vulnerable to climate change and have equal
rights to economic resources.
Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable
jobs and promote equality. This goal aims to eradicate
extreme poverty by year 2030
2. End Hunger
Many still suffer from hunger and
malnutrition around the world, mostly
women and children. The food and
agriculture sector offers key solutions for
development, and is central for hunger and
poverty eradication.
Targets for this goal include ending malnutrition, protecting
small farmers, protecting the genetic diversity of crops
produced and investing in research to make farming more
productive.

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all

at all ages
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the
well being for all at all ages is essential to
sustainable development. Goal includes calls
for universal health coverage, increasing
healthcare workforce, reducing illness and
death by pollution, comprehensive agenda
for tackling a wide range of global health challenges such as
AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis. Vaccinate your family to protect
them and improve public health.

4. Quality learning
Obtaining a quality education is the
foundation to improving people’s lives and
sustainable development. Targets for this
goal include the need for access to
university level education, vocational
training and entrepreneurial skills.

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women &

girls
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but
is necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and
sustainable world.
 Targets for this goal include freedom
from discrimination and violence,
ensuring equal share of leadership
opportunities and responsibilities for
women as well as property ownership.

Several references are made to ‘national appropriateness’ in

interpreting these targets. Callout sexist language and
behavior

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of

water and sanitation for all
Clean, accessible water for all is an essential
part of the world we want to live in. Basic
water scarcity affects 40% of world
population. Targets for this goal include
programs that provide access to basic
technologies like toilets or latrines as well
as protecting ecosystems that provide water. Avoid wasting
water.
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable
and modern energy for all
Energy is central to nearly every major
challenge and opportunity. About 1.3
billion people globally have no access to
electricity. Targets for this goal emphasize
a conversion to renewable sources and a
dramatic improvement in efficiency
everywhere. Use only energy efficient light bulbs or
appliances.
 8. Decent Work & Economic Growth
Sustainable economic growth will require
societies to create the conditions that allow
people to have quality jobs. About 75
million people between ages 15 and 24 are
estimated to be unemployed and out of
school globally. This goal targets closing
That gap using innovation, as well as separating growth from
ecosystem degradation.

9. Industry innovation and infrastructure

Investments in infrastructure are crucial to
achieving sustainable development. Targets
for this goal include fostering a more
innovative and environmentally sound
approach to industrial development. Think
of innovative new ways to repurpose old
material.

10. Reduced inequality within and among countries

The world is massively unequal. To reduce
inequalities, policies should be universal in
principle, paying attention to the needs of
disadvantaged and marginalized
populations. Targets for this goal include
financial market regulation to make the
playing field more equal, making migration more orderly, safe,
regular and responsible
11. Sustainable cities and Comnnunities
There needs to be a future in which
cities provide opportunities for all, with
access to basic services, energy, housing,
transportation and more. More than
half the world population lives in cities.
Targets for this goal include addressing.
issues like transportation, disaster preparedness, as well as
preservation of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production

patterns

This goal targets topics like reducing

food wastage, corporate sustainability
practice, and educating people on the
impact of their lifestyle choices. Recycle
paper, glass, plastic and aluminum.

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change

and its impacts
Climate change is a global challenge that
affects everyone, everywhere. This goal
has an asterisk as it references the “Paris
Agreement” of December 2015, which
guides nations to jointly commit to
limiting global warming to not more
than 2 degrees Celsius. Educate young people on climate
change to put them on a sustainable path early.
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and
marine resources for sustainable development

Careful management of this essential

global resource is a key feature of a
sustainable future. The world’s oceans
are overfished, under-protected and
stressed from climate change and
pollution. The target for this goal
include research and learning to find out more about what
lies beneath the oceans so as to better save them. Avoid
plastic bags to keep the oceans safe and clean.

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of

terrestrial ecosystems
Sustainably manage forests, combat
desertification, halt and remove land
degradation, halt biodiversity loss. This
goal targets halting the threat to living
ecosystems and biodiversity on land.
Plant a tree and help protect the
environment
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development
Access to justice for all, and building
effective, accountable institutions at all
levels. Targets for this goal include
reduction of violence, end to torture,
reduction of corruption, as well as
creation of institutions and governments
that work for everyone. Use your right to elect the leaders
in your country and local community.

17. Partnerships for the Goals

Every country and every sector has a role
to play in achieving the SDGs. This goal
targets ensuring that countries have what
is needed in achieving the rest of the
SDGs such as funds, capacities and
technologies. The goal emphasizes the
need for partnership and collaboration.