Sustainable development may be defined in many ways depending on how a person understand the word itself. The most commonly defined sustainable development is what is found in Bruntland Report, published in 1987, which states that sustainable development is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs 1. Sustainable development consists of three pillars which are social, environmental, and economic sustainability. These pillars are also informally called as people, planet, and profit respectively. In order to achieve a fully developed sustainable world, these three pillars must be maintained. First, the social pillar of sustainable development supports strategies on issues like poverty, unsocial justice, and wars.
Second is the environmental pillar, many industries focus their attention in this pillar since this is an important one. Industries take account of reducing the carbon footprints and wastes which will affect the environment. Lastly, the economic pillar of sustainability which is more on profit. In order to be sustainable, a certain group of the company must be profitable 2. In order to achieve a completely sustainable world, a plan is a must. The United Nations Member States adopted a new global plan of action entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
” This action plan started in September 2015 and the expected year to achieve is in 2030. This global action plan includes no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, and many more 3. For now, let’s take a look at two different definitions of sustainable development defined by Heinen and Pearce. A sustainable development cannot be achieved with one click of a hand. It takes time and effort in order for a world to be completely sustainable (Heinen, 1994) 4.
According to Pearce (1993), sustainable development does not transfer the cost of development to future generations hence it is under the present generation 5. As part of our discussion earlier, disagreement exists as to the precise meaning of the term. Based on my opinion, multiple definitions of the words “sustainability”, “sustainable development” might be problematic in achieving a more sustainable society.
People have different meaning and opinions in defining sustainable development as stated above. These definitions are somewhat confusing to others on what is the real meaning of the word ‘sustainable development’ that lead to problems in achieving a more sustainable environment. Although the goal of the sustainability is almost the same with different definitions, process on making a more sustainable environment still matters for everyone. The interpretation of sustainability of a person will definitely be different from the others. For me, it is better if leaders of each team make an agreement to its co-leaders on what sustainability really is and help each other to spread the words to its members in achieving a more sustainable environment.
Even though there are confusion between the definitions of sustainable development, its main goal which is to allow peace and order for the present and future generation by balancing the three pillars of sustainability will always be the most important thing in achieving a sustainable planet.
