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Theme 4: Taking Action

Topic: Ecologically Sustainable Development


Protecting and restoring our natural assets like water and biodiversity is one of many challenges under the overall umbrella of 'ecologically sustainable development'. Sustainable Development is the simple idea of ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, both now and for the future.

A widely used and accepted international definition of ecologically sustainable development is, 'development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1997).

Globally, we are not even meeting the needs of the present generation, let alone considering the needs of future generations.

Sustainable development encompasses environmental, social and economic goals. It includes:

  • fulfilment of human needs for peace, clean air and water, food, shelter, education, and useful and satisfying employment
  • maintenance of ecological integrity through careful stewardship, rehabilitation, reduction in wastes and protection of diverse and important natural species and systems
  • active citizenship through public involvement in the definition and development of local solutions for environmental and development problems, and
  • achievement of equity with the fairest possible sharing of limited resources amongst people living today and with future generations.

Discovering ways of living and working sustainably is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, wherever we live in the world.

Sustainable Development involves thinking laterally to find new ways to do things. It requires creativity and commitment, leadership from government and industry, and all sectors of society working together.

Student Activity Ideas

  • What does living sustainably at home, school and at work mean to you? (Brainstorm ideas and discuss.)
  • What can governments do to promote sustainable development?
  • Students to explore case studies or examples of sustainable living, and discuss how these could be applied in the local area.
  • Design a sustainable community. How do people live, work, shop, travel and conduct recreation?
  • Try an Ecological Footprint Quiz to determine how much our lifestyle impacts on the planet. Discuss the findings in class. Examples can be found at the following websites
    www.sustainabilityed.org/ef.htm
    www.ecofoot.org

Internet Resources

Type Description Resources Covering the Topic
Easy
  • 'Natural Advantage: A Blueprint for Sustainable Australia'.
  • A comprehensive overview of sustainable development covering major issues for Australia.
 Australian Conservation Foundation
www.acfonline.org.au/asp/pages/
publicationtyp.asp?IdPublicationTyp=7
  • 'Teachers for a Sustainable World' - a publication that can be ordered.
 Environment Australia
www.ea.gov.au/education/
publications/tsw/index.html
  • Strategies for Sustainability in SA.
 SA Government - Office of Sustainability
www.environment.sa.gov.au/
sustainability/contact.html
  • Ecologically sustainable development and education in SA.
  • Includes many links.
 SA Government
www.environment.sa.gov.au/
sustainability/education.html
  • About natural resource management in the Murray-Darling Basin.
 Murray-Darling Basin Commission
www.mdbc.gov.au/naturalresources/
about/about_basin.htm
More Comprehensive
  • State of the Environment Reporting at State and Federal level.
  • Providing information on the state of all sectors of the Australian environment.
 State of the Environment - Australia
www.ea.gov.au/soe/index.html

State of the Environment - South Australia
www.deh.sa.gov.au/soe2003/
index.html
  • Ecologically Sustainable Development.
  • National strategies and initiatives for ecologically sustainable development.
 Environment Australia
www.ea.gov.au/esd
  • United Nations - Division for Sustainable Development.
 www.un.org/esa/sustdev/
index.html