Introduction to Sustainable Development

Study Notes

Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising future generations.
Jeffrey Sachs highlights critical global challenges that include poverty, climate change, and inequality.

Poverty remains persistent despite overall economic growth; millions still live on less than $1.90 a day.
Climate change presents serious threats including extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
Inequality is prevalent, with wealth concentrated in a few hands, exacerbating social tensions.

These global issues are interconnected; for instance, poverty worsens environmental degradation while inequality impedes effective climate action.
A holistic approach is essential to address these challenges together, ensuring systemic solutions rather than piecemeal fixes.

Economic Dimension: Focus on growth that stimulates job creation and reduces poverty.
Social Dimension: Ensures fair distribution of resources and social justice, supporting marginalized communities.
Environmental Dimension: Emphasizes the necessity of preserving ecosystems and reducing pollution for long-term sustainability.
Achieving balance among these dimensions is complex; the social dimension is often seen as the most challenging due to deep-rooted inequalities.

Every individual holds a responsibility for the planet, emphasizing stewardship and sustainable practices.
Conservation and sustainability efforts are crucial for the well-being of current and future generations.

Gross World Product is a key indicator of global economic health, showing disparities in wealth.
National Income Accounting helps analyze economic performance and distribution effects across different regions.

Low income levels in rural and urban areas contribute to persistent poverty.
Smallholder farmers, like those in Ethiopia, face economic vulnerability despite their contributions to local economies.

Economic development can lead to environmental degradation, such as CO2 emissions that result in climate change.
Disasters such as floods and droughts threaten human well-being and highlight the need for sustainable practices.

High infant mortality rates and poverty indicators reflect systemic failures in health care and resource distribution.
Communities in areas like Kibera and Rocinha illustrate the stark realities of urban poverty amid wealth concentrations.

Fluctuating CO2 levels over the past 800,000 years indicate the urgent need for climate action to reverse anthropogenic impacts.
Hydrometeorological disasters demonstrate the direct threats posed by climate change to human livelihoods.