Evaluate definitions of Sustainable Development
example
from
your
subject
area
(Planning,
and give one
Transport,
or
Environmental management/ Water/ Agriculture.
Subject Area: Environmental Management
 Sustainable Development
1. “Positive mass balance per unit area per unit time, sustained over decades to
millennia, is the measure of biomass's net production”. (Conway, 1987: 96)
Book: An Introduction to Sustainable Development, 3rd edition
Jennifer A. Elliott
HB 0415–335582, PB 0415–335590
This definition offers a crucial notion in the context of ecology, environmental science,
and sustainability. A precise indicator of biomass productivity is provided by the
definition's quantitative nature. As it is stated to be a "positive mass balance," it
concentrates on the net increase in biomass over time. Research into science and
environmental management benefit from this accuracy. The phrase "maintained over
decades to centuries" emphasizes the value of long-term viability. This emphasizes the
necessity of maintaining biomass productivity across long timescales in order to ensure
the resilience and stability of ecosystems, which is crucial when thinking about
ecological processes and sustainability. It supports methods that support long-term
biomass productivity maintenance, preventing degradation and guaranteeing that future
generations can benefit from healthy ecosystems.
2. “While criticizing the notion of continuous growth without regard for the future,
sustainable development is the acceptance of the idea of placing a limit on the
material progress and consumption that were once thought to be without end”.
(Cavalcanti, 2003).
A helpful perspective on the concept of sustainable development is provided with the
help of this definition. It emphasizes how crucial it is to comprehend that Earth's
resources are limited. By realizing that unrestricted material advancement and
consumption are not long-term viable options, it pushes individuals to be more
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environmentally conscious and responsible. It encourages a long-term viewpoint by
highlighting the necessity of taking future generations into account while making
decisions concerning development and consumption. The argument casts doubt on the
notion of unending expansion while emphasizing the importance of protecting natural
resources. Sustainable development focuses on making progress without sacrificing the
planet's capacity to sustain life and the welfare of communities.
3. “Sustainable development is an approach to a nation's economic expansion that
protects the environment's quality for current and future generations”.
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For the benefit of future generations, the definition places a strong emphasis on
environmental preservation. It acknowledges that maintaining the world's ability to
provide ecosystem services and biodiversity depends on economic development not
causing the planet irreversible harm. It promotes a long-term mindset by challenging
decision-makers, organizations, and people to think about how their actions may affect
the environment and the welfare of future generations. The idea of accountability and
stewardship is encouraged. In order to prevent resource depletion or irreparable
degradation, it emphasizes the importance of using natural resources sustainably. It
supports the idea of intergenerational equity, which holds that current needs shouldn't
be put in danger of preventing future generations from being able to fulfil their own
requirements.
4. “Sustainable development is an approach to resource use that attempts to satisfy
human needs while protecting the environment so that these needs can be
satisfied not just for the present but also for future generations”.
(United Nations report, 1987).
This definition clearly and simply captures the core of “Sustainable Development”. It
emphasizes fundamental idea that environmental protection shouldn't be sacrificed in
the sake of progress. It encourages responsible resource use and conservation, which is
crucial for preserving ecosystem services, biodiversity, and a healthy planet. It
demonstrates how crucial it is to take future generations' welfare into account. The
phrase "pattern of resource use" highlights the demand for effective and sustainable
resource management. This is crucial for minimizing waste, halting the depletion of
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resources, and advancing circular economies. It acts as a guiding principle for decisionmakers at all levels, assisting them in making decisions.
5. “Improving human life standards while preserving ecosystems' carrying
capacity”. Barrow (1995b: 372)
By balancing the improvement of human life quality with observance of the ecological
bounds of the environment, this concept captures two key components of sustainable
development. The importance of both is emphasized, ensuring long-term wellbeing.
The definition acknowledges that sustainable development ultimately revolves around
people by placing an emphasis on improving human life. It deals with the core
objectives of ensuring a good level of living, accessibility to essentials, and general
wellbeing. The phrase "carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems" highlights the fact
that ecosystems have a carrying capacity for the resources and services they can offer.
It emphasizes how crucial it is to adhere to these restrictions because doing so could
cause environmental damage.
 Sustainability
1. “The ability to constantly achieve living circumstances that are either equivalent
to or superior to those of a group of people and their descendants in a given
ecosystem is known as sustainability”. (Cavalcanti, 2003).
By placing a strong emphasis on a group of people's welfare and the welfare of their
offspring while also acknowledging the significance of a specific ecosystem, this
definition strikes a balance with the human-centered viewpoint. This dual emphasis
draws attention to how closely environmental issues affect human lives. The moral duty
to leave behind an environment that can support their requirements and a high standard
of living is highlighted. Building resilience against environmental changes and
disruptions is part of the sustainability goal of preserving and even improving life's
conditions. The value of ecological and societal resilience in the face of difficulties is
acknowledged.
2. “Sustainability's central principle is that decisions made now shouldn't
undermine efforts to preserve or raise levels of life in the future” (Repetto 1986).
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This definition shows how sustainability acknowledges the finite nature of Earth's
resources. Therefore, today's choices and deeds should be made with the intention of
appropriately managing and conserving these resources. This includes natural resources
like fresh water, healthy soil, sources of energy, and biodiversity. We must prevent the
environment from suffering from irreparable harm if we want to ensure the wellbeing
of future generations. The standard of living for future generations may be
compromised by actions that contribute to pollution, deforestation, habitat degradation,
and climate change.
 Sustainable development and Environmental Management
In order to survive, man depends on his physical surroundings. Nevertheless, he hasn't
been able to control it. The greater use of the environment by humans is a result of
man's ambition to meet his wants. The ecology has suffered through human carelessness
as well as group acts for financial gain.
There have been several disruptions to natural ecosystems. When natural resource
replenishment can occur while still allowing for human usage, the situation is
sustainable. With regard to these resources, human activity has exceeded their capacity
for natural replenishment. Environment has been stretched by interactions between
man's current operations and it. Environmental deterioration results from man's
disturbance of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, which are all interdependent
components of the atmosphere. In numerous areas, such as global warming,
acidification, fossil fuel consumption, and others, it has had a negative influence.
For sustainable development, the global economy offers both huge potential and
difficulties. The expansion of world economies can be facilitated by the opportunities
provided by globalization for cross-border trade, investments, capital flows, and the
transfer of technology. This contributes to the wellbeing of the populace, which must
be improved. Achieving needed standards, further obstacles must be overcome. The
unjust distribution of income among residents of the community is one of these, along
with poverty, sickness, political unrest, and unemployment.
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Environmental management and sustainable development are dependent on human
activities. The ecosystem is maintained, leading to sustainable development, if it is
correctly utilized. On other side, abusive human activity will cause the environment if
natural resources are used carelessly. End results will include resource depletion,
resource deforestation, starvation and poverty, as well as general declines in population
welfare. This encourages man to reconsider how best to coexist with nature without
triggering any natural conflicts. It's imperative to find better ways to manage the
environment. These include planting trees, reducing pollution, and improving
sustainable farming practices. A sustainable development also requires social and
economic considerations, strong governance, and policies.
Sustainable Development in Environmental Management: “An Example of
Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA)”
Given the growing dangers posed by climate change and other environmental issues,
sustainable development in environmental management is a serious global concern.
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is a significant strategy for overcoming these
difficulties. One of the adaptation strategies that is expanding the quickest globally is
ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) (Pasquini et al. 2015), based on its low cost,
numerous advantages, and variety of applications in various landscapes (Nguyen et al.
2017). Biodiversity and ecosystem services are incorporated into the overall adaptation
plan using the EbA approach. (Chong et al. 2014). Furthermore, Duguma et al. (2020)
provided proof that EbA is a system-wide process that takes into account interactions
between individuals, institutions, policies, and larger ecosystems with the ability to
support landscape restoration and livelihoods if properly utilized. According to (Muthee
et al. 2017 and Milman et al. 2017), it has the enormous potential to greatly aid in the
development and environmental goals at the local, national, and international levels.
Depending on their socioeconomic requirements, ecological conditions, and targeted
adaption outcomes, many communities have developed a variety of EbA practices over
time.
Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) is a method that encourages the sustainable
exploitation of natural resources while utilizing ecosystem services to assist
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communities in coping with and reducing the effects of climate change. In order to show
how the idea of EbA supports sustainable development in environmental management,
this essay will examine it and give an example of how it has been applied in coastal
areas.
Geographical variations and local conditions affect the difficulty of adapting to climate
change. People's vulnerability is influenced by the stresses placed on local ecosystems
and by how well they are doing in terms of providing ecosystem services. In ecosystem
contexts ranging from largely natural to substantially altered landscapes, such as cities
or agricultural areas, ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) techniques can help protect
ecological services and lessen people's vulnerability.
Mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and sand dunes are all components of coastal
ecosystems (UN Environment 2016). The UN Environment (2006) estimates that
around one-third of the world's population resides in coastal regions, making the goods
and services these ecosystems offer crucial. For instance, many coastal communities
rely on the fisheries that are based on mangroves and reefs for their food and means of
subsistence. Along with acting as carbon sinks, mangroves also offer timber, food, and
medicine. Tourism is one of the things that supports coral reefs financially. The erosion,
flooding, and storm surge harm that coastal ecosystems help to prevent.
The impacts of dense human populations and related development activities are felt by
coastal ecosystems. Coastal habitats are being damaged by a number of factors,
including unsustainable fishing practices, the removal of flora, increased tourism, and
pollution. On coastal systems, climate change has a profound impact. As sea levels rise
and ocean temperatures rise, these factors increasingly frequent and powerful storm
surges, as well as coral bleaching and reef degradation are all made more likely. By
restoring or improving ecosystem services that also sustain livelihoods, many coastal
EbA interventions combat the impacts of erosion and floods caused by climate change.
The following also provides examples of typical EbA solutions for coastal ecosystems
and result indicators that specifically reflect the main adaptation goal of each measure:
Impact of climate change:
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1. Sea level rise, coastal erosion, flooding, and saline intrusion brought on by
warming temperatures and more frequent and powerful storm surges.

EBA Measures:
 Mangrove restoration or rehabilitation to lessen wave energy, erosion,
and storm surge water levels, preventing coastal flooding, saline
intrusion into groundwater, and damage to property and livelihoods,
such as by constructing climate-resilient and pest-resistant nurseries and
replanting.
 Dune and beach stabilization to lessen coastal erosion and flooding,
reducing damage to property and livelihoods, such as planting native,
climate-resilient pioneer dune plants that biologically fix or reforest the
dune ridge.

Components of outcome indicators:
 Measures of flood/storm damage (infrastructure, households, crops);
 Frequency and severity of floods;
 Salinity levels in groundwater and farmlands;
 Agricultural yields and revenue (home consumption and market).
2. Increasing storm surge frequency and severity, sea level rise, coastal erosion,
disruption of spawning migration, changes in coastal fish quantity and variety
as a result of rising temperatures, and ocean warming and acidification.

EbA measure
 Coral reef rehabilitation to lessen wave intensity, enhance habitat and
nursery grounds for fish, and reduce flooding, erosion, and property
damage, as well as to support fisheries and livelihoods, for example, by
rebuilding, raising, and transplanting coral reef pieces.

Components of outcome indicators
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 Frequency and intensity of flooding;
 the extent of coastal erosion; the amount of fishing effort;
 the amount of fish caught and sold;
 and the income from tourism-related diving and snorkeling.
Conclusively, an effective illustration of ecosystem-based adaptation in environmental
management is the restoration of mangrove ecosystems in coastal areas. EbA not only
assists communities in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change, but also
contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and the well-being of both
ecosystems and the people who depend on them by placing an emphasis on principles
like biodiversity conservation, cooperation, and the sustainable use of ecosystem
services. This illustration shows how creative, all-encompassing solutions are capable
of addressing environmental issues while promoting social and economic advancement.
References
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Barrow, C.J. (1995b) Developing the Environment: problems and management,
Longman, Harlow
Cavalcanti, C. (org.). (2003) Desenvolvimento e Natureza: estudos para uma sociedade
sustentável. São Paulo: Cortez.
Chong, J. Ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation: Progress and
challenges. Int. Environ. Agreem. Politics Law Econ. 2014, 14, 391–405.
Conway, G.R. (1987) ‘The properties of agroecosystems’, Agricultural Systems, 24,
pp. 95–117.
(1997) The Doubly Green Revolution: Food for All in the 21st Century, Penguin,
London.
Duguma, L.; Dibo, D.; Muthee, K.; Minang, P.; Bah, A.; Nzyoka, J.; Malanding, J.
Ecosystem-based
Adaptation
Through
the
Lens
of
Community
Preferences. ICRAF Tech. Brief 2020, 3.
Milman, A.; Jagannathan, K. Conceptualization and implementation of ecosystembased adaptation. Clim. Chang. 2017, 142, 113–127
Muthee, K.; Mbow, C.; Macharia, G.; Leal Filho, W. Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
(EbA) as an Adaptation Strategy in Burkina Faso and Mali. In Climate Change
Adaptation in Africa, Climate Change Management; Leal Filho, W., Belay, S.,
Kalangu, J., Menas, W., Munishi, P., Musiyiwa, K., Eds.; Springer: Cham,
Switzerland, 2017.
Nguyen, T.T.; Pittock, J.; Nguyen, B.H. Integration of ecosystem-based adaptation to
climate change policies in Vietnam. Clim. Chang. 2017, 142, 97–111.
Pasquini, L.; Cowing, R.M. Opportunities and challenges for mainstreaming
ecosystem-based adaptation in local government: Evidence from the Western
Cape, South Africa. Environ. Dev. Sustain. 2015, 17, 1121–1140.
Robert Repetto (1986), World Enough and Time, Successful Strategies for Resource
Management. Yale University Press. 147 pages. Index. ISBN: 0-300-03649-3.
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UN Environment (2006) Marine and coastal ecosystems and human wellbeing: a
synthesis report based on the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment. Nairobi: UN Environment.
UN Environment (2016) Options for ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) in coastal
environments: a guide for environmental managers and planners. Nairobi: UN
Environment.
https://byjus.com/commerce/meaning-and-features-of-sustainabledevelopment/#:~:text=Sustainable%20development%20can%20be%20defined,the%2
0environment%20for%20future%20generations.
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