Sustainability
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All 11 Flashcards — Sustainability
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Question
What is sustainability?
Answer
Development that can last — meeting today's needs without ruining future generations' ability to meet theirs, across environmental, social and economic pillars.
Question
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Answer
Environmental (nature, climate, resources), social (fair, stable, healthy societies) and economic (an economy that can keep functioning).
Question
What is sustainable development?
Answer
Development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs — reconciling human progress with limits.
Question
What does '(un)sustainability of a system' mean?
Answer
Whether a whole system or practice can continue — one that depletes soil, water or the climate is unsustainable, working now but unable to last.
Question
Why is climate change a good example?
Answer
Growth-based development drives climate change, which threatens the food, water, health and safety development is meant to deliver.
Question
What is the 'limits to growth' worry?
Answer
That a planet with finite resources cannot support endless economic growth for everyone, so growth-only development is heading for collapse.
Question
What is the 'sustainable development' reply?
Answer
That development need not be abandoned but redefined — green technology, renewables and efficiency can grow economies while cutting harm.
Question
Is sustainability only about the environment?
Answer
No — it also covers social sustainability (fair, stable societies) and economic sustainability (an economy that can keep going).
Question
Who is hit hardest by unsustainable development?
Answer
Poorer countries, which did least to cause climate change but are least able to cope with its effects on food, water and safety.
Question
Can development still be possible given sustainability?
Answer
Growth-only development is in doubt on a planet with limits, but sustainable development through green technology and a redefined model remains possible.
Question
How does sustainability change the theme's question?
Answer
From 'how do we develop?' to 'can current development continue at all?' — and if not, what a sustainable version looks like.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Sustainability
Topic 3.1 hub
Contested meanings: development, sustainability, poverty, inequality
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Global Politics exam skills
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