Environment

Sustainable Development - a summary

We are using up the earth's resources faster than they can be replaced and polluting air, water and land.  As a result plant and animal species are being lost, and changes such as global warming threaten the planet's ability to support human life in its present form.  The 1999 White Paper A Better Quality of Life - a strategy for sustainable development for the UK, describes sustainable development as follows:

"At its heart is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come.  It means meeting four objectives at the same time, in the UK and the world as a whole:

• social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
• effective protection of the environment;
• prudent use of natural resources; and
• maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment."