Experiencias de desarrollo vinculadas al socorro

The concept of sustainable development (SD) means differently to different people and organizations. Thus the way SD is interpreted will be influenced by personal experiences and the world views of the individual. Robinson (2004) stated that the literature is rife with attempts to define the term and there is a disagreement between those who prefer the three pillars’ approach which incorporates social, ecological and economic dimensions and those who prefers a dualistic typology. The latter emphasizes on the relationship between humanity and nature. These differences have prompted an exploration of different definitions from various sources and perspectives in order to arrive at a consensus of the concept.

Page | 28 The term sustainable development was first defined by WCED in 1987. It has been given a number of interpretations and undergone several improvements. This is followed by other definitions such as the one formulated at the Rio Earth in 1992, Blowers in 1992, The World Bank in 1994, DETR (1998), The National Research Council Board on SD Report, (1999) and Berke, (2000). The list of definition can be seen in Table 2.1. Each definition depends on the place, time and situation which in turn will affect peoples’ world view on their perceived essential needs. Wheeler & Beatley (2008) stated that human being main concern for sustainable development is to ensure that the environment can support our future generations.

Thus, this study defines sustainable development as a process of change (Brandon, 2009) whereby the human being is the core concern (Wheeler & Beatley, 2008), meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. There are other conceptions like WCED, (1987) that give emphasis for a better quality of life (DETR,1998) for a balance of social, economic and ecological systems and a link of local actions to global concerns (Berke, 2000). Based on these definitions, the two main interactions that need to be discussed is the human needs-aspiration and human-environment aspect.

2.1.1. Human Needs-Aspirations

Sustainable development is about meeting the basic needs of all and extending them the opportunity for a better life. The human potential addresses their basic needs is described by Bruntland (1987) as the ability to make development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The human-human relationship in society demands a social system which is of paramount importance. Humans have basic needs including food, shelter, clothing, homes and etc. while perceived needs are socially and culturally determined (Wheeler & Beatley, 2008). Their ability to meet their essential needs depends on the ability to achieve full potential and sustainable development. This clearly requires a level of economic growth to meet the ever-increasing demand. Humans also have legitimate aspirations for an improved quality of life while their needs may be unlimited. Sustainable development emphasis on the inculcation of values especially the consumption standards must be ecologically permissible (Wheeler & Beatley, 2008).

Page | 29 Hence sustainable development requires that societies meet the individual needs both by increasing productivity potential and ensuring equitable opportunities for all. There is no compromise on the human-environment aspect. The environmental degradation must be minimised.

2.1.2 The Human-Environment Aspect

The future human-environment aspects need to be balanced to achieve sustainability and not as practised presently. The Bruntland Report (1987) stated that many of the present efforts to guard and maintain human progress are simply unsustainable in both rich and poor nations. There must be a more comprehensive effort of ensuring a balance of the human- environment aspect. Currently, the human-environment aspect is viewed as the readiness and ability of residents to utilize and benefit from the environment whilst ensuring that it is sustainable for the future generations. Sustainable development ensures that the natural systems support life on earth, the atmosphere, its waters, the soil and the living beings. Melamed and Ladd (2013) emphasised on combining both the human and environment aspects especially the needs and aspirations of people with the imperative to protect the natural resources on which human lives highlighted two most important trends in recent years, the growing wealth and at the same time, causing environmental degradation.

The Bruntland Report (1987) also warns of the unsustainable efforts to guard and maintain human progress to meet human needs and to realise human ambitions and these have continued since 1987 until post 2015.There is still the environmental degradation committed while in pursuit of economic wealth. Nevertheless, Melamed, & Ladd (2013) identified some human development objectives that can be met with minimal degradation of the environment. They identified education and healthcare, the rule of law and provision of political freedoms, or the increase of incomes to a basic minimum level to be central in addressing human needs (eradicating poverty) and can be met with little impact on overall global resource use. Hence, the effort to minimise the impact on the environment lies in the ability of the human themselves. Bruntland (1989) also feels that human has the ability to make development sustainable to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.

Page | 30 Without doubt, every aspect of human life is affected by the changing environment. The urgency of achieving both ends becomes increasingly obvious (Melamed & Ladd 2013). This urgency to implement the worthwhile concept of sustainable development to ensure that the human needs and the preservation of the environment for future generation is achieved. Humans at the local level are the nearest to and most intimate with the environment they live in. The issues relating to humans and its environment can be addressed through the implementation of Local Agenda 21. It is a programme that involves the people at local level to participate in ensuring that the environment they are living in is sustainable for the future generation.