Sustainable Land Development Today - February 2009 - (Page 12)

forefront of global discourse as a tool for cultural change. International Attention The term “sustainable development” was first used in the international arena in 1980 after the International Union for the Conservation of Nature published the World Conservation Strategy. Although the report discussed the interdependence of the environment with economic stability, the term was mostly used to imply economic constraints. Despite the waning of interest that followed, a more holistic framing of SD would later rekindle the discussion. Seven years later, the concept of “sustainable development” was widely popularized after the World Commission on Environment and Development, chaired by Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, published a report titled Our Common Future. The report, commonly referred to as the Brundtland Report, outlined an analytical framework through which international agreements could be made with the intent of reconciling differences traditionally associated with environmental protection and economic development. The Commission’s vision was revolutionary. It was the first report of its kind to disclose the positive correlation between environmental degradation and poverty. Because of this, the international community (especially developing nations) embraced Brundtland’s version of SD since it addressed not two, but all “three Es” of SD: environment, economy and social equity. The Brundtland Report argued that neither economic development nor environmental protection was possible without the other, thus both should not be viewed in terms of trade-offs. Being sensitive to the issue of equity, the report based its argument for SD on the premise that basic human needs must first be met in order to seriously address environmental concerns. Thus, ecological protection, according to the Brundtland Commission, could not be achieved without first improving the human condition. Furthermore, the Commission was intentionally vague with its definition of SD. They felt a broad definition of SD, mixed with democratic citizen participation, would empower the disenfranchised and force needed discourse on pressing issues. During the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, the UN adopted Brundtland’s framing of SD into its bylaws. Also adopted was Agenda 21, a 900-page plan for achieving SD in the 21st Century. Composed of 40 sections, with each dedicated to a particular SD issue, Agenda 21 offered 120 action programs to help guide the global SD effort. However, as with the American NEPA experience, conflicts over the realization of SD on the international level came to being, manifested by opposing worldviews and needs. Advocates for global environmental treaties mostly came from industrialized nations since their sites were set on international agreements that addressed the negative impacts associated with ecological degradation. On the other hand, developing nations were skeptical of these treaties. They felt environmental agreements would limit their ability to extract and export natural resources needed to accumulate wealth and provide the basics of food, shelter, medicine, and jobs to its citizens. Additionally, developing nations criticized the industrialized world for pushing environmental initiatives since industrialized nations were historically allowed to degrade their ecological base and accumulate wealth, and then had the luxury to reinvest in their environment. Industrialized nations on the other hand criticized developing nations as being the main culprits of global environmental degradation as it was they who were putting pressure on the environment via over-population. Therein lies the basic, worldwide challenge—how is it that members of the global community can share and promote the tenets of SD, while at the same time sponsor opposing prescriptions to attain that goal? Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, speaking during the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg stated: “Sadly, we have not made much progress in realizing the grand vision contained in Agenda 21 and other international agreements. It is no secret that the global community has not yet demonstrated the will to implement the decisions it has freely adopted.” Looking at how various countries implement their own brand of SD into their national policies, it becomes evident that there is a will to promote SD, but it lacks a common focus: India utilizes SD to promote poverty alleviation and water quality; Brazil focuses on deforestation and poverty; Sub-Saharan Africa focuses on water and peace; Developing countries look to education, finance, and markets; and the European Union, United States, and China focus on energy security and climate change. It is within these differences of need that disagreements over policy prescriptions arise, making SD a difficult goal to achieve on the international front. Without shared goals within and across the international community, the holy grail of SD seems to be failing. American Conundrum One year after the 1992 Earth Summit, the SD movement arrived back in the United States when President Clinton es- 12 February 2009 Sustainable Land Development Today

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Sustainable Land Development Today - February 2009

Sustainable Land Development Today - February 2009 Contents Our Voice Modern Flood Disasters Origin of the Sustainability Movement SLDI in Focus Calendar Build Smart Product Innovation Takeoff and Cost Management Industry News Products & Services Advertiser Index Editorial Board SLDT Resources Last Word

Sustainable Land Development Today - February 2009

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