Sustainable development: Growth without losing ground

Excerpt

TWENTY years ago, we heard many definitions of the word “environment.” Attendees at conferences and workshops argued over their definitions. You were not part of the movement unless you had one of your own. In time, however, we accepted one another's definitions, molded them into a common understanding, and built a common vision.

So it is with sustainable development. Sustainable development refers to development that meets the present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. John Ruskin, in talking about the future of England in the late 1800s, said, “We have no right to involve them [future generations] in any unnecessary penalties or deprive them of a benefit that was in our power to bequeath.” This old idea rounds out the understanding of sustainable development with the concept of passing on benefits to future generations. Ruskin's view was echoed by Emil Salim from Indonesia at a recent conference on environment and economy. Salim contended that economic analyses should be trans-generational because our decisions must reflect respect for generations unborn.

As travellers, our decision-making should meet our needs ana protect me long term in-tegrity of …