Environmentally Sustainable Development in the Developed World
In the developed world most people enjoy a far higher standard
of living than that of their ancestors in previous centuries.
They have advanced means of transport, technology,
communications, manufacturing and food production. This,
however, has been achieved with tremendous damage to the
environment. Development has involved the destruction of forests
and wetlands, bringing loss of biodiversity. It has also
involved the burning of fossil fuels causing air pollution and
global warming, and an increasing use of toxic chemicals causing
air and water pollution. Sustainable development may be defined
as development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
needs. Political leaders have to start considering the needs of
future generations of humans for a healthy environment. Efforts
are being made to recycle and to reduce waste and emissions, but
landfills are expanding, the production of g