Problem
Unsustainable development
Experimental visualization of narrower problems
Other Names:
Environmentally unsustainable developmentFailure to recognize limits to growth
Nature:
Unsustainable development compromises the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Phenomena including global warming, destruction of the ozone shield, acidification of land and water, desertification and soil loss, deforestation and forest decline, diminishing productivity of land and waters, and extinction of species and populations, demonstrate that human demand is exceeding environmental support capacities. Population growth increases poverty and deprived people are forced to undermine the productivity of the land on which they live. It is extremely difficult for people, or other species, to adjust to change at this rate.
Broader Problems:
Irreversible problem emergenceIrreversible environmental trends Narrower Problems:
MaldevelopmentResource depletionUncontrolled urban developmentUnsustainable rural developmentUnsustainable population levelsUnsustainable energy consumptionSocially unsustainable developmentUnsustainable economic developmentUnsustainable scale of developmentExcessive consumption of resources in industrialized countriesDestruction inherent in developmentUnsustainable agricultural developmentIrreversible depletion of natural capitalUnsustainable development of forest landsUnsustainable development of fresh watersUnsustainable development of coastal zonesIncreasing unsustainability of global developmentUnethical practices in natural resource managementImperfect synthesis of concepts of sustainable developmentEnvironmental impact of sports Aggravates:
Environmental degradationHuman consumption of animalsIrresponsibility towards future generations Strategies:
Reducing energy consumptionCreating sustainable citiesAdvocating sustainable developmentCreating global sustainabilityDeveloping sustainable economic systemsEnsuring national economic policies support sustainable developmentManaging landPromoting sustainable development through world trade agreementsReducing population growthAddressing acute debt-servicing problemsEnsuring sustainable population levelsPromoting sustainable energy consumptionAchieving sustainable national fiscal policiesReducing ecologically unsustainable marine trafficReducing unsustainability of macroeconomic policiesEnsuring political support for sustainable policiesRecognizing ecological limitsLimiting ability to recognize ecological limits References:
Brookfield, Harold C: South-East Asia's Environmental Future: can sustainability be achieved ?Meadows, Donnella; Meadows, Dennis and Randers, Jorgen: Beyond the Limits: global collapse or a sustainable future Subject(s):
Development → Sustainable developmentEnvironment → Environment
Geography → Ecology
Societal Problems → Failure
Societal Problems → Restrictions
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
B: Basic universal problems Date of last update
16.03.2021 – 16:50 CET