Development of Resources
Resources are vital for human survival as well as for maintaining the quality of life. Initially perceived as free gifts of nature, human beings excessively exploited them, leading to significant problems:
- Depletion of resources: Driven by greed, a few individuals exhaust resources at the expense of many.
- Socio-economic divide: Wealth concentration among a select few results in increased disparity between the rich and poor.
- Ecological crises: Indiscriminate exploitation has contributed to global warming, ozone depletion, environmental pollution, and land degradation.
To address these issues, equitable resource distribution is essential for sustainable living and global peace. If current trends continue, the planet’s future is at risk. As such, resource planning is essential for the sustainability of all life forms.
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development focuses on economic growth that does not harm the environment, ensuring current needs are met without jeopardizing future generations' ability to meet theirs. This philosophy was highlighted during the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992, where global leaders addressed pressing environmental and socio-economic issues. The leaders signed the Declaration on Global Climatic Change and Biological Diversity, endorsed global Forest Principles, and adopted Agenda 21, which aims to mitigate environmental damage and poverty through international cooperation and shared responsibilities. A key aspect of Agenda 21 is that local governments should create localized action plans.