What is sustainability? | ACCIONA

ACCIONA

15 Nov 201601:43

Summary

TLDRThe concept of sustainability, first introduced in the 1987 Brundtland report, aims to address the environmental impacts of economic development and globalization. Known as 'Our Common Future,' the report was commissioned by the United Nations to offer solutions to the challenges posed by industrialization and population growth. Sustainability encompasses three core pillars: environmental protection, social development, and economic growth. It emphasizes the rational use of finite natural resources, promotes social cohesion to improve quality of life, health, and education, and advocates for equitable economic growth without environmental harm. Recognizing the global nature of issues like climate change and water scarcity, the concept of sustainability calls for collective action to secure the needs of the present without compromising the future.

Takeaways

📜 The concept of sustainability was first introduced in the Brundtland report, published in 1987.
🌏 The report, also known as 'Our Common Future,' was created for the United Nations to address environmental concerns from economic growth and globalization.
🚫 It aimed to warn about the negative environmental impacts and offer solutions to the problems caused by industrialization and population growth.
♻️ Sustainability seeks to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
🌱 It emphasizes three essential pillars: environmental protection, social development, and economic growth.
💧 Recognizing that nature and the environment are not inexhaustible resources, sustainability calls for their protection and rational use.
🤝 It promotes social development to foster cohesion among communities and cultures, aiming for a satisfactory quality of life, health, and education.
💼 The economic aspect of sustainability focuses on equal growth that benefits all without environmental harm.
🌍 Challenges like climate change and water scarcity require a global perspective and sustainable development efforts.
📈 Sustainability is about taking action in the present to secure a better future, considering the interdependence of environmental, social, and economic factors.
🌱 The Brundtland report laid the groundwork for how we understand and approach sustainability today, highlighting its importance in addressing global challenges.

Q & A

When did the concept of sustainability first appear?
-The concept of sustainability first appeared in the Brundtland report, published in 1987.
What is the alternative name for the Brundtland report?
-The Brundtland report is also referred to as 'Our Common Future'.
What was the primary purpose of the Brundtland report?
-The report was created to warn about the negative environmental consequences of economic development and globalization, and to offer solutions to the problems arising from industrialization and population growth.
What are the three essential pillars of sustainability?
-The three essential pillars of sustainability are environmental protection, social development, and economic growth.
How does sustainability aim to secure present needs without compromising future generations?
-Sustainability aims to secure present needs by protecting and using nature and the environment rationally, promoting social development for cohesion and satisfactory quality of life, and focusing on equal economic growth that generates wealth for all without harming the environment.
What is the relationship between sustainability and the environment?
-Sustainability is concerned with recognizing that nature and the environment are not inexhaustible resources, necessitating their protection and rational use.
What is the role of social development in sustainability?
-Social development in sustainability seeks to foster cohesion between communities and cultures to achieve satisfactory levels in quality of life, health, and education.
How does economic growth fit into the concept of sustainability?
-Sustainable economic growth is one that generates wealth for all without causing harm to the environment.
What are some of the global challenges that can be addressed through sustainable development?
-Some global challenges that can be addressed through sustainable development include climate change and water scarcity.
Why is a global perspective necessary for tackling certain human challenges?
-A global perspective is necessary because issues like climate change and water scarcity are not confined to individual nations and require coordinated international efforts for effective solutions.
What is the call to action for individuals regarding sustainability?
-The call to action is to remember the concept of sustainability and to act in the present with consideration for the future.
How can individuals contribute to sustainable development in their daily lives?
-Individuals can contribute by making environmentally conscious choices, supporting social cohesion, and advocating for economic policies that promote equality and environmental protection.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Introduction to Sustainability

The concept of sustainability was first introduced in the Brundtland report of 1987, also known as 'Our Common Future.' This report was commissioned by the United Nations to address the negative environmental impacts of economic development and globalization. It aimed to provide solutions to the challenges arising from industrialization and population growth. Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is based on three pillars: environmental protection, social development, and economic growth. The concept emphasizes the need for rational use and protection of natural resources, promoting social cohesion among communities and cultures to improve quality of life, health, and education. It also focuses on achieving equitable economic growth that benefits all without environmental harm. The paragraph concludes by highlighting the global nature of challenges such as climate change and water scarcity and calls for action towards sustainable development.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is a concept that emphasizes meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is defined by the Brundtland report as development that ensures environmental protection, social development, and economic growth. In the context of the video, sustainability is the central theme, highlighting the importance of balancing these three pillars to secure a better future.

💡Brundtland Report

The Brundtland Report, officially titled 'Our Common Future,' is a document published in 1987 that introduced the concept of sustainability. It was commissioned by the United Nations to address the negative environmental impacts of economic development and globalization. The report serves as a foundation for the video's discussion on the need for sustainable practices.

💡Environmental Protection

Environmental protection refers to the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems by preventing pollution and degradation. It is one of the three pillars of sustainability mentioned in the video. The script emphasizes the need to protect the environment and use resources rationally, as they are not inexhaustible.

💡Social Development

Social development involves the improvement of the quality of life for individuals within a society. It is concerned with fostering cohesion among communities and cultures, and achieving satisfactory levels in areas like health and education. The video highlights social development as a key aspect of sustainability, aiming for a harmonious balance with economic growth and environmental protection.

💡Economic Growth

Economic growth is the increase in the production of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. The video stresses the importance of equal economic growth that benefits all without causing harm to the environment. This concept is integral to the theme of sustainability, as it seeks to ensure that economic progress does not come at the expense of the environment or social well-being.

💡Global Perspective

A global perspective refers to considering issues and challenges from a worldwide viewpoint, recognizing that many problems, such as climate change and water scarcity, require a coordinated international approach. The video emphasizes that sustainable development must be pursued globally to effectively tackle these challenges.

💡Industrialization

Industrialization is the process of social and economic change where a human group moves from a manual labor and agriculture-based economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. The video mentions industrialization as a factor that has led to the need for sustainability, as it has caused significant environmental and social changes that need to be managed sustainably.

💡Population Growth

Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people living in a particular area over a specified period of time. The video identifies population growth as one of the factors that has contributed to the need for sustainable practices, as it puts pressure on resources and the environment.

💡Quality of Life

Quality of life encompasses the general well-being of individuals and societies, including material conditions, health, education, and social and cultural opportunities. In the context of the video, improving the quality of life is a goal of social development within the framework of sustainability.

💡Rational Use of Resources

Rational use of resources means the efficient and responsible consumption of natural resources to ensure their availability for future generations. The video emphasizes that sustainability requires the protection and rational use of the environment and its resources, recognizing their finite nature.

💡Cohesion

Cohesion refers to the state of forming a united or integrated whole. In the context of the video, social development aims to achieve cohesion among different communities and cultures, which is essential for a harmonious and sustainable society.

💡Climate Change

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions on Earth. It is mentioned in the video as a significant challenge that can only be addressed through sustainable development and a global perspective, highlighting the urgency of sustainable practices.

Highlights

The concept of sustainability was first introduced in the Brundtland report in 1987.

The Brundtland report, also known as 'Our Common Future,' was prepared for the United Nations.

The report aimed to warn about the negative environmental impacts of economic development and globalization.

Sustainability seeks to address problems arising from industrialization and population growth.

It aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Sustainability has three essential pillars: environmental protection, social development, and economic growth.

Environmental protection involves recognizing that nature is not an inexhaustible resource and promoting its rational use.

Social development within sustainability focuses on community and cultural cohesion to improve quality of life, health, and education.

Economic growth in the context of sustainability should be equal and wealth-generating for all without harming the environment.

Sustainability addresses global challenges such as climate change and water scarcity.

A global perspective is necessary to tackle the challenges that humans face today.

Sustainable development is a key approach to addressing current challenges for a better future.

Sustainability assumes that nature and the environment are not unlimited and need protection and rational use.

Sustainability promotes social development to achieve satisfactory levels in various aspects of life.

The concept of sustainability is concerned with ensuring that economic growth benefits all without environmental degradation.

The Brundtland report was a pivotal document that laid the groundwork for modern sustainability practices.

Sustainability is a holistic approach that considers environmental, social, and economic aspects equally.

The report emphasizes the importance of acting in the present to secure a sustainable future.