International Studies
S1 Sustainable Development
Resource 5: Sustainable Development
Understanding sustainability
Sustainable development is part of the Scottish Government's overall purpose - to
create a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish,
through increasing sustainable economic growth.
For Scotland we are delivering this through our work supporting Scotland's
transformation to a low carbon economy. This means less fossil fuels and more
renewable energy
Sustainable development improves people’s lives without wasting resources or
harming resources. Sustainable development is sensible development because it:
 Uses but does not waste resources
 It improves but does not threaten ways of life
 It looks after the needs of today but does not damage the future
Sustainable development may be achieved by:
 Encouraging a country to develop industries they can afford, so that they
do not fall into debt by trying to make things that are too expensive or
complicated
 Developing and using technology that is suited to the skills, wealth and
needs of the local people
 Using natural resources carefully and responsibly
Task 1
Watch this clip on “sustainability”
Task 2
Read New Wider World
Answer questions 4 and 5 on New Wider World, page 158.
Task 3
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
Which of the following statements describe examples of
sustainable development?
Borrowing money to set up a factory to make 4 x 4 people carriers
Building a large dam and reservoir to store water
Making pumps to use the sun’s energy to draw water from the ground
Building major new highway to connect the main city with the
national airport
Helping a group of farmers to jointly own a barn to store crops
Building a factory to make and repair bicycles
Growing crops of different heights in the same fields
Cutting down forests for timber to sell abroad
Encouraging tourists to visit forests
Case Study of sustainable development: Solar Powered Pump in Kenya
(source: Lonely Planet)
For years, people of Turkana in northern Kenya have suffered persistent periods
of drought. Finding water for their families means the women walking up to
10km in the searing heat to dried-up river beds, running the risk of attack on the
way. They dig 'scoop holes' with their bare hands, uncovering small amounts of
dirty, contaminated water that they have no choice but to drink.
By working with the communities in the heart of Turkana, Practical Action
partnered local people to develop a sustainable solution to the endless problems
caused by drought. We developed a solar-powered water pump that uses
locally-sourced equipment to pump 30,000 clean litres of clean, safe water to
the village every day.
These new pumps mean the villagers in Turkana, have access to clean, safe
water every day, and they know they can drink in safety. Also, because they no
longer have to spend hours searching for water, children have the time to go to
school and women can grow vegetables to sell at the local market.
Task 4 Find out about ONE of the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Biogas plant
Smoke hoods
Micro hydro-power
Fireless cooker
Case Study: Sustainable Living in Hutchie?
As a school we have made a start in trying to encourage sustainable living and a
green lifestyle. But how successful have we been? What are we doing well, and
what can we do better?
Task 5
a) Complete this questionnaire.
b) Compare your answers with your friends.
c) Describe the steps you would take to make Hutchie a more sustainable,
greener school.
Strongly
Disagree
We are good at recycling
paper
We use both sides of
paper for worksheets, etc
we are good at recycling
plastic bottles
Pupils know which bins
to use for recycling
We don’t leave food at
lunchtime
There is no litter in the
school grounds
We recycle batteries and
old print cartridges
We remember to switch
off lights in empty
classrooms
We use the textile bin at
Boleyn Road for old
clothes
We can buy Fair Trade
chocolates in the vending
machines
Disagree
Agree
Strongly
Agree