Environment and Development 225
as a constructive example. Human societies, though, function mainly on
the basis of the interests of individuals, groups and nations that compete
between themselves for more goods and power. N. Keyfitz comments that
the amount of wealth that is transferable from the United States to poor
countries depends on the degree at which the average American could consume as much as the average resident of a poor country while at the same
time continue to produce as an American.
The solution can only be given via a great compromise, combined with
the utilization of technology. Richer nations or individuals do not accept a
reduction of their rate of consumption; on the other hand, it is necessary
that they maintain their high productivity. However, reduction of negative
consequences is possible through changes in technology and lifestyle as
ports. Self-constraint, the will for change, and solidarity with the less privileged in conjunction with the development of constructive international
cooperation can contribute to better social and external relations. The necessary increase of low income can be achieved not so much by the decrease
of the income of the wealthy, but rather by increase of the total wealth of
humanity and parallel preservation of environmental quality and natural
resources by the use of successful technologies. This approach, which is
called decoupling, points out that economic development is not necessarily
associated with aggravation of environmental problems.
With its study Our Common Future (1987), the World Commission
on Environment and Development highlighted sustainability as a modern
answer to the problem of the material limits of economic growth. Sustainable
development aims at the rational management of natural resources such
that present needs are covered, especially those of the poorer social strata
and of developing countries, without undermining the fulfilment of future
needs. The effort for reconciliation of opposition between economic development and the environment is inspired by the idea of sustainability that
springs from the rational exploitation of the forest. Timber felling can offer
continuous wood production, which corresponds to the “interest” while
the “capital” remains in a good condition so that its productive capacity is perpetuated. Correspondingly, the proper policy for the satisfaction
of human needs requires a simultaneous increase in productive capacity,
respect towards ecological limitations, expansion of the prospects for equal
distribution of goods and harmonization of demographic increase with
natural system capabilities.
The feasibility of sustainable development in various cases of environmental problems is not always self-evident. Generally, however, it is useful as an analysis tool because it enables a well-documented critique of
specific developmental options. It is essentially an effort of incorporating
the environmental dimension into developmental policies, and it entails a
significant decrease in the economic growth pace. It is a vague concept,
as a constructive example. Human societies, though, function mainly on
the basis of the interests of individuals, groups and nations that compete
between themselves for more goods and power. N. Keyfitz comments that
the amount of wealth that is transferable from the United States to poor
countries depends on the degree at which the average American could consume as much as the average resident of a poor country while at the same
time continue to produce as an American.
The solution can only be given via a great compromise, combined with
the utilization of technology. Richer nations or individuals do not accept a
reduction of their rate of consumption; on the other hand, it is necessary
that they maintain their high productivity. However, reduction of negative
consequences is possible through changes in technology and lifestyle as
ports. Self-constraint, the will for change, and solidarity with the less privileged in conjunction with the development of constructive international
cooperation can contribute to better social and external relations. The necessary increase of low income can be achieved not so much by the decrease
of the income of the wealthy, but rather by increase of the total wealth of
humanity and parallel preservation of environmental quality and natural
resources by the use of successful technologies. This approach, which is
called decoupling, points out that economic development is not necessarily
associated with aggravation of environmental problems.
With its study Our Common Future (1987), the World Commission
on Environment and Development highlighted sustainability as a modern
answer to the problem of the material limits of economic growth. Sustainable
development aims at the rational management of natural resources such
that present needs are covered, especially those of the poorer social strata
and of developing countries, without undermining the fulfilment of future
needs. The effort for reconciliation of opposition between economic development and the environment is inspired by the idea of sustainability that
springs from the rational exploitation of the forest. Timber felling can offer
continuous wood production, which corresponds to the “interest” while
the “capital” remains in a good condition so that its productive capacity is perpetuated. Correspondingly, the proper policy for the satisfaction
of human needs requires a simultaneous increase in productive capacity,
respect towards ecological limitations, expansion of the prospects for equal
distribution of goods and harmonization of demographic increase with
natural system capabilities.
The feasibility of sustainable development in various cases of environmental problems is not always self-evident. Generally, however, it is useful as an analysis tool because it enables a well-documented critique of
specific developmental options. It is essentially an effort of incorporating
the environmental dimension into developmental policies, and it entails a
significant decrease in the economic growth pace. It is a vague concept,