Can it be possible: Can there be sustainable development?
As it has been noticed “it is difficult to envisage a world in which nine billion people prosper if we continue to extract resources from the natural world with little consideration for their true value. With increasingly unsustainable use of resources and the effects of climate change and environmental degradation being felt across the planet, the need for decisive actionis more pressing than ever.”
These calls have been made before, so what needs to happen to see real progress? Are there any positive and inspiring examples of successful attempts in sustainable development? The answer is yes. See below for how it can be done:
Sustainable development flourishing in Wales's green economy
Wales is fast becoming Europe's testbed for sustainable development and what the UN would call "the green economy"
“Not only does it have three of Europe's pioneering solar cell makers – Sharps in Wrexham, G24 in Cardiff and Dyesol at Shotton – it aims to be totally self-sufficient in renewable energy, it's the only country in the UK to introduce statutory recycling and waste targets, it has put a tax on plastic bags, it has the impressive Centre for Alternative Technology at Machynlleth turning out a new generation of clean energy engineers, and its local authorities are investing heavily in renewables.
Moreover, it is one only three nations in the world to have sustainable development enshrined in its constitution, and later this year, it hopes to underline its growing divergence from Westminster by passing one of the world's first laws to force all government spending to take into account environment and social needs.
The country of three million people now stands a chance of picking up another accolade when the National Trust in Wales comes under consideration for a coveted Ashden award for reducing energy use by 46% in just two years.”…
Read more:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/30/sustainable-development-flourishing-wales/print