Answers will differ from one country into another and according to ecosystem. in developing countries, from our experience, the key might be population stabilization and encouraging of political instability. In developed countries, the issue of clean energy sources might be the solution.

Good Week!

On this issue lot of papers were published, but based on my experience and findings the most influencing factors are the ones concerning to  the water holding capacity, in general infiltration, Field capacity and  the type and amounts of patches, mainly in arid environments (nests, shrub patches etc.). All the other (as soil fertility, biodiversity, etc.) are positively affected from the water holding capacity factors.

Best Wishes!

Amir.

Technologies that will suit local environmental conditions may be the best option for attaining sustainability. There is no meaning in implementing technologies from other countries which may harm the local conditions. For incidence countries can adapt local and traditional technologies which may not affect the environment to a great extent. It may not incur economical constrains also. Scientific studies must be undertaken with the aid of scientists and academicians to reveal the principles underlying in local and traditional technologies and it must be well documented for future purposes. In many places local technologies are slowly disappearing from the seen because of unscientific implementation and lack of awareness. New technologies may be efficient, but may not be sustainable. I feel implementation of traditional knowledge with scientific background will be the only solution to tackle the current problems.

Dear Rajendran,

Thanks for your note and suggestion that the implementation of traditional knowledge may be the best suited to solve the present problem of environmental degradation. I am also agreed with Mr. Jawad that the sustainability issue is different in different countries and there are different causal factors working.  

I agree mostly with the previous remarks, but I would add another one. One of the principal reasons concerning the association of rapid growth with environmental degradation is the time horizon governing decisions. Investors need quick returns to their investments and do not care very much on long term consequences (or even short or medium term in some cases)

It seems very difficult in a market economy to change this without regulation, and regulation has to be done at a planetary level to be really efficient. It is difficult, but already recognizing it is the first step in my opinion

1) The Industries department need to rope in the recommendations of the scientific community before permission to set up a venture is given.It also has to monitor its working so that the owners/managers can be guided & mandated as to the correct methodologies to be put in practice.

2) The pollution Control Boards also need to strictly monitor especially the effluents that are issued out of the plants/factories.

3) The learned community needs to bring out a vehement forum & make its presence felt so that the problem can be addressed to an extent.

 All of these are lacking especially in developing countries.

Dear Flichman,

Thank you for your comments. I agree with you that we need certain regulations to monitor the economic growth.  

Great questions. I also noted some comments/responds above. In developing countries, education and good governance should be emphasized. Those countries have potential natural resources but lack of skill to manage in sustainable ways. Regulations are often available. However implementation and law enforcement are lacking. Those create impediments on the adoptions of sustainability development initiatives.

Very important question I am agree that in 

Though it s true that with economic growth, we are jeopardizing our environment, it is good to check the effectiveness and efficiency of the activities being carried out. This creates chances for optimization and may lead towards sustainability.

Dear Sati we all agree that the sustainable development be practiced, but is it really feasible that every development is environment friendly and sustainable, I think the pressure on world finite resources coming from ever increasing population is bound to shift balances. The biodiversity had changed significantly in geologic history, thsi is not the only time we are experincing change in biodiversity. The more adoptable species will flourish and sensitive may not survive.

As you have suggested the biggest polluters are not ready to curb their emission, will it be fair to pressurize other developing countries to compromise with their growth to keep world green and who can enforce it.

Dear Saif Uddin,

Thanks for your posting and input to this question. Indeed, disparities in development in the world countries and then race for it, without managing the natural resources is the major impediment. Sustainability can be attended in a long run but, the efforts should be done from today to balance development and optimum utilization of natural resources base.  

Rapid economic growth brings with it aspirations to match the living standards of those already developed countries, this in itself is a process that sacrifices and ignores a lot of altruistic processes, often irreparably damaging the environment. On the other hand how can you have low impact large cities, the largest Bam in Iran was devastated by an earthquake. Why did I call Bam as low impact? It was Adobe constructed, what was taken out of the earth returned to it. But is it really suited to our new densely populated cities, multitude of cars, new infrastructure and utilities and transport grids? Not really, so this is the compromise that we are making as a result. Attempts are also made to reduce the impact of all of these developments, cities are incorporating sustainable transport, cycle lanes, electric trams, buses, cars are all good initiatives. Where is electricity for these coming from? Gas, oil or coal power stations are very polluting, how about from wind turbines or photovoltaics? Where are the Neodymium magnets for the motors, turbines and hard drives coming from? Where is Indium for photovoltaics coming from? How are these being mined and manufactured? How are these transported? What happens to these at the end of their useful life? These are the questions that we need to ask and really consider the effect of these on the environment. A lot of people are blissfully unaware of the environmental impact of these sustainable products.

The way we select the products is also all important, do we buy something that was produced in a new factory and efficient processes, with carbon capture, water recycling, biodegradable packaging and zero waste policy (as most European companies are being forced to comply with) or the local factory that employs the local labour and runs the machinery that perhaps is 60 years old, pollutes the river and air?

Decisions are hard to make, often are based on accountants’ or competitive decisions.

Environmental education is very pertinent to  sustainability. Too many are unaware of the ongoing and gradual degradation of the environment. Environmental education like a gospel needs to reach the far ends of the earth, to change life styles, attitudes and policies that are catalysts to this decay.  Knowledge  is one power  to  eradicate environmental illiteracy. Everyone is responsible for sustainability, though challenging, we need to start somewhere, some how  today.