Environnement et développement durable

Global resources are decreasing, pollution is increasing, and social/economic problems (unemployment, overpopulation, poverty, malnutrition) are becoming more prevalent
Sustainable development aims to address these issues through social equity (respecting worker rights, reducing unemployment), economic efficiency (profitable projects), and environmental protection (reducing pollution)
Sustainable development is crucial for future generations while benefiting current ones
Key dates shaping the concept of sustainable development:
- 1972: The Meadows Report (Club of Rome) highlighted the dangers of continued population and economic growth
- 1972: The Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment emphasized the need for development compatible with environmental protection
- 1983: Establishment of the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland
- 1987: The Brundtland Report defined sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Environment: Everything, natural or constructed, that surrounds us—resources, and potential threats to health and well-being.
Environment: The totality of relationships, sometimes conflictual, between humans and nature
Environment components: Living (flora and fauna) and non-living elements (water, rocks, air)
Development: A process of change and growth, not just economic, but encompassing changes in an organism, or society.

Human demographics: Population growth leads to more demands for resources, and a rise in social and political issues.
Demographic issues: high birthrates, rapid urbanization, lack of sanitation systems lead to environmental degradation, and social problems as well.
Climate change: Increase of greenhouse gases from human activity, causes shifts in weather patterns and rising sea levels.
Consequences of climate change: shifts in vegetation and agricultural cycles, threats to biodiversity, food shortages, displacement of people.

Energy resources (non-renewable): Fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) are finite and contribute to pollution.
Renewable energy resources: Solar, wind, hydro, and biomass are potentially sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels.
Water resources: Water scarcity is a growing problem due to population increase and climate change.
Mineral resources: Many minerals are non-renewable and their extraction damages the environment.

Agriculture's role: Agriculture is a major driver of environmental change, both in terms of resource use and biodiversity loss.
Biodiversity: Maintained through biological practices, and proper agricultural practices that limit impact on natural environments.
Erosion of biodiversity: The conversion of natural ecosystems (forests, grasslands) into agricultural land disrupts ecosystems and reduces biodiversity
Protecting biodiversity: Sustainable agricultural practices can help preserve ecosystems and the diversity of species
Biological principles: Close relationship between farming and biodiversity, biological practices that preserve this richness.

Sustainable development: Considers economic, environment, and social elements equally important to consider.
Sustainable development goals (SDGs) 17 objectives from the United Nations are presented to guide sustainable development in the 21st century, from poverty reduction to protecting biodiversity.

Environmental protection: Use of renewable resources, waste management, and mitigation of pollution to maintain ecosystems for future generations.
Protection of biodiversity: Preserve ecosystems and genetic diversity to maintain ecological balance, and to ensure healthy and productive environments
Sustainable development principles: Sustainability involves several principles for social equity and ecological balance (consideration of future generations, pollution reduction).

Indicators: Measuring and monitoring different aspects of sustainability to ensure that progress is being made.
Important indicators: Human Development Index (HDI), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), ecological footprint.

Environmental impact of products: Life cycle assessment and environmental footprinting help evaluate the environmental impacts of products to guide better production methods.
Sustainable consumption: Focusing on how individuals consume resources can also increase chances of sustainability.
Production and consumption: Companies can use a variety of tools and techniques for assessing their products

Definition: The impact of a person or group of people on the environment
How it works: quantifies the human Ecological footprint (EF) to assess ecological impact on natural resources.
Results: If the ecological footprint exceeds the capacity of the Earth to replenish resources, humans are overusing the planet's ecological capacity and it should be managed through sustainability practices.
Using other indicators to assess Ecological Footprint: Ecological footprint is not the only tool or indicator to understand ecosystem and resource use. Other measurements are required.