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1. Introduction to
Environmental
Philosophy
SFES 1214
Week 10
Sustainable Development

2. SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT

3. Sustainable Development: Introduction
Sustainable development is becoming a watchword of
recent times.
Try: Google the word “sustainable development” and you
will get nearly 17 million results!!!
Nowadays most policies by various organisations are
interested to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
So, what is sustainable development?
How is it connected to what you have learned so
far?

4. Religious environmental
worldview
Individualism
Anthropocentrism
Eco-feminism
Ecocentrism
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
(individual philosophy)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
(Colletive philosophy/ worldview)

5. First let’s go to this website:
www.gapminder.org

6. Religious environmental
worldview
Individualism
Anthropocentrism
Eco-feminism
Ecocentrism
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
(individual philosophy)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
(Colletive philosophy/ worldview)
Human
development
issues
(social and
economic)
Sustainable
Development

7. Sustainable Development: Definition & Main Principles
The root meaning:
Sustainable = able to maintain or stay in existence over a
period of time
Development = improving the economic and social
conditions of countries
Official definition:
"Sustainable development is a development that meets
the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs“
(The Brundtland Report, 1987)

8. Other than the issue of inter-generational consideration, most
definitions of sustainable development has the view that sustainability
depends three "interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars", which
are:
(1) Economic development
(2) Social welfare
(3) Environmental protection
Sustainable Development: Definition & Main Principles

9. Sustainable Development: Definition & Main Principles
Environmental Protection:
Protecting the environment (what we have covered in class!)
Economic Development:
Increasing economic growth (production and distribution of goods)
Social Welfare
Ensuring the welfare or wellbeing of society at every level

10. However, sustainable development is an ambiguous concept – it can
mean different things to different people. The concept remains weakly
defined and contains a large amount of debate as to its precise
definition.
Different conceptions also reveal a strong tension between different
environmental worldviews, especially between eco-centrism and
anthropocentrism.
Some see it as a radical “green” call for a fundamental organisation of
social, economic, and political life (particularly those that are more
inclined to the worldview of ecocentrism, individualism, ecofeminism)
While others see it as a means to continue with the “business as
usual’ patterns of economic growth but with due consideration of
social and environmental progress (those with the worldview of
anthropocentrism)
Sustainable Development: Definition & Main Principles

11.  So, at least all versions of sustainable development seek to
balance economic, social and environmental goals (the three pillars) in
ways that meets the needs of present without compromising the ability
of future generation to meet their own needs (intergenerational
dimension)
But most differences in interpretation still revolves around these two
elements:
The intergenerational dimension
How do we balance the needs of present and future generations?
The three pillars of sustainability
How do we balance the quality of economic development, social
development and environmental protection?
Sustainable Development: Definition & Main Principles

12. Sustainable Development: Scope
Due to its broad definition, Sustainable Development has
been used as a guiding principle for various policy areas.
The United Nations Division for Sustainable Development
lists the following areas within the scope of sustainable
development:
Agriculture, Atmosphere, Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Capacity-building,
Climate Change, Consumption and Production Patterns, Demographics,
Desertification and Drought, Disaster Reduction and Management, Education
and Awareness, Energy, Finance, Forests, Fresh Water, Health, Human
Settlements, Indicators, Industry, Information for Decision Making and
Participation, Integrated Decision Making, International Law, International
Cooperation for Enabling Environment, Institutional Arrangements, Land
management, Major Groups, Mountains, National Sustainable Development
Strategies, Oceans and Seas, Poverty, Sanitation, Science, Sustainable
tourism, Technology, Toxic Chemicals, Trade and Environment,
Transport, Waste (Hazardous), Waste (Radioactive), Waste (Solid),
Water

13. Is Sustainable Development related to you?
Physics
World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development
(http://www.wcpsd.org/)

Chemistry
Sustainable Development Through Green Chemistry
(http://www.wun.ac.uk/greenchem/)

Math
Institute of Applied Mathematics
(http://www3.iam.metu.edu.tr/iam/index.php/16_5_2008_Genel_Seminer_Abstract_1)

14. 1972: United
Nations Conference on Human and Environment (UNCHE), Stockholm Sweden.
1972: Club
of Rome published the Limits of Growth
1980:
World Conservation strategy by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
1983
United Nations World Comission on Environment and Development (WCED)
1987:
United Nations Brundlant report: Our Common Future
The Sustainable Development concept was formally defined
1992: Earth
Summit and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in
Rio de Janerio, Brazil Rio
Declaration on Environment and Development called “The Agenda 21”
2002 World
Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg, South Africa
Earth Charter (Rio +10)
Johannesburg Declaration
Sustainable Development: History

15. To provide a clearer picture of what sustainable development means in practice,
we it useful how it has been translated into an action plan: Agenda 21, declared
during the Earth Summit.
Agenda 21 is a programme run by the United Nation. It is a comprehensive
programme or blueprint of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by
organisations of the UN, governments, and major groups in every area in which
humans impact on the environment.
The number 21 refers to the 21st century.
The full text of Agenda 21 was revealed at the 1992 United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development (Earth Summit), held in Rio de Janeiro on
June 14th where 179 governments voted to adopt the programme. The final text
was the result of drafting, consultation and negotiation, beginning in 1989 and
culminating at the two-week conference.
Agenda 21
More information:
http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev/documents/agenda21/index.htm

16. Agenda 21
There are 40 chapters in Agenda 21, divided into four sections. The whole
document was over 900 pages:
Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions
including combating poverty, changing consumption patterns, population and
demographic dynamics, promoting health, promoting sustainable settlement
patterns and integrating environment and development into decision-making.
Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development
including atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile
environments, conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity), and control of
pollution.
Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups
including the roles of children and youth, women, NGOs, local authorities,
business and workers.
Section IV: Means of Implementation
including science, technology transfer, education, international institutions and
mechanisms and financial mechanisms.

17. Agenda 21
Local Agenda 21 (LA21)
The implementation of Agenda 21 is intended to involve action at international,
national, regional and local levels. Some national and state governments have
legislated or advised that local authorities take steps to implement the plan
locally, as recommended in Chapter 28 of the document. Such programmes
are often known as 'Local Agenda 21' or 'LA21'.
In Malaysia, we have several initiatives such as:
(1) Selangor Agenda21
http://selangor.agenda21.gov.my/
(2) Sustainable Penang Initiative
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN01762
0.pdf

(3) Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya
http://www.mbpj.gov.my/la21/english/agenda21.html
Initiatives in other countries: http://www.bestpractices.org/2006winners.html

18. Agenda 21
Local Agenda 21 – Sustainable Penang Initiative
Sustainable Penang Initiative (SPI) pioneered a community- based indicators project
aimed at creating a process for more holistic and sustainable development planning in the
State of Penang.
It covered different areas of sustainable development: ecological sustainability, social
justice, economic productivity, cultural vibrancy, and popular participation. The initiative
eventually identified indicators through which they could monitor development in Penang
over time. Monitoring results were presented at a People's Forum!
It noted that the SPI process increased participation, accountability and transparency in
Penang. Also, it spearheaded the creation of new organizations to address specific issues
including sustainable transport, disabled access and water conservation. SPI offers a
practical example of how representatives from government, business, and civil society can
work constructively together over time to enhance the effectiveness of development
planning.
For more information:
http://unpan1.un.org/intradoc/groups/public/documents/APCITY/UNPAN017620.pdf

19. Agenda 21
Local Agenda 21 – Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya
A Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya Committee was set up with the mayor of MPPJ
as the chairperson. The Local Agenda 21 Committee consists of 37 members
from various stakeholders A specially formulated Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya
logo and slogan “Petaling Jaya: Toward Sustainable Development” was used to
create public awareness shared identity and enhance ownership.
A second workshop was organized to disseminate the common vision
to a large number of residents and stakeholders to obtain their feedback and
reach a consensus. In the second workshop, the participants identified three
neighborhood areas as pilot project sites.
Some of the key activities include:
- Environment Working Committee
- Social Integration Working Committee
- Safety Working Committee
For more information: http://www.mbpj.gov.my/la21/english/agenda21.html

20. Johannesburg Declaration
The Johannesburg Declaration was a principal outcome of the Summit. The
declaration is a collection of general political statements, reaffirming a
commitment to agreements made at the Earth summit and at the UNCHE, 10 and
30 years prior.
The document is meant to serve as a contract for the participants of the summit, binding
them to the outlined agreements. A Plan of Implementation laid down more specific goals
for the nations and organizations that participated in the summit. Some of these goals
include:
• The establishment of a solidarity fund to wipe out poverty. This fund would be sustained
by voluntary contributions; however, developed nations are urged to dedicate 0.7% of their
national income to this cause.
• Cutting in half by 2015 the proportion of the world’s population living on less than a dollar
a day. This is a reaffirmation of a UN Millennium Summit goal.
• Cutting in half by 2015 the number of people who lack clean drinking water and basic
sanitation
• Substantially increase the global share of renewable energy
• Cut significantly by 2010 the rate at which rare plants and animals are becoming extinct
• Restore (where possible) depleted fish stocks by 2015, and
• Halving the number of people suffering from hunger.
You can download the declaration in full at: http://www.bnpparibas.com/en/sustainable-
development/text/Johannesburg-Declaration.pdf

21. Group assignment

22. Group Assignment:
In groups, suggest ideas on how best we
could create a recycling awareness
programme for the colleges in University
Malaya.
Present your suggestions in class
This can be divided into three parts:
(1) Your ideas and how you propose it can be conducted in the colleges
(2) Why do you think it is a good idea? (e.g. it is easy to implement; it is
educational; how does it touch upon the environmental ethics of the
community)
(3) What are the possible limitation of your ideas?

23. What you need to do!
(1)Choose your group in moodle. You will be divided in 10 groups
(2) A talk will be given by a representative from Alam Flora next
week (16
th
Sept 2008) during lecture time.
(3)Before that I want you to make sufficient preparation before the
lecture (groups that are active in asking questions will be given
a bonus mark)
(4)After next week you will have Week 11 and Week 12 to prepare
the assignment (no class, no tutorial)
(5)The presentation will be held in Week 13 (14
th
October 2008)
during lecture time. You can make your presentation in any way
you like (power point, demonstration, acting ect). You will be
given exactly 10 minutes to make your presentation and every
team member has to participate. (no tutorial)
(6)Feedback for the assignment, exam review and course
conclusion will be held in Week 14.

24. Group Assignment:
Why recycling?
• Waste issues has a clear sustainability issue – with clear
environmental, social and economic implications.

• Our response to “recycling” is very much rooted to our ethical
position on how the waste issue has an impact to our lives (be it
environmentally, socially and economically) and how we need to act
upon it. This would then influence our attitude on recycling.
• Furthermore, under the UM greening of campus initiative, the
university is currently interested to conduct a recycling programme
for our colleges and therefore we need valuable inputs on how
best we could create awareness for the programme. The lessons
we will learn from you shall then be incorporated in our future plans.

25. Tutorial
A talk will be given by a representative from Alam Flora next week
during lecture time.
Preparation before the lecture:
During the tutorial, I would like each group to discuss the following:
(1)Why recycling can be an important initiative to achieve the three pillars of
sustainable development: environmental protection, social welfare and
economic development?
(2)In the tutorial, give a list of general suggestions on what activities you can
do to create awareness for recycling. You might also want to discuss how this
is connected to the answers you have given in (1)
Then, use this tutorial discussion as a preparation for the lecture next
week (so you can ask useful questions for your assignment!
Remember the group that are active in asking questions will get
bonus mark for the assignment!)

26. Consultation
Face to face consultation in the next 3 weeks can be conducted anytime
during lecture hours. But make an appointment at least one day in advance!
You can also consult me via e-mail!
Assessment (full mark = 20 marks)
Individual assessment:
Participation and quality of participation in moodle discussion and presentation: 4
Group level:
Accuracy (how accurate you have fulfilled the task assigned): 6
Quality (logic and coherency in your suggestion ): 3
Creativity (added value from other groups): 3
Extra marks for asking question during the lecture with Alam Flora: 2

27. Sustainable
Development in
Action
A story of Majora
Carter at South Bronx,
USA

29. Majora Carter
Carter is founder and executive
director of Sustainable South
Bronx.
See: http://www.ssbx.org/

30. “ I am not anti-development, our’s (the south
bronx) is a city not a wilderness preserve, and
I have embraced my inner capitalist. I do not
have a problem with developers making
money. There is enough precedent out there
that has shown us that a sustainable
community friendly development can still make
a fortune. But I do have a problem with
development that hyper exploit vulnerable
communities for profit and if it continues it is a
shame upon us all. We are all responsible for
the future that we create!

31. South Bronx is one of the
poorest areas in the United
States.
Founded in 2001 by life-long South Bronx
resident, Dr. Majora Carter, SSBx addresses
land-use, energy, transportation, water & waste
policy, and education to advance the
environmental, social and economic rebirth of
the South Bronx, and inspire solutions in areas
like it across the nation and around the world

32. Problems in South Bronx and activities
of Sustainable South Bronx
http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/
discoveringwherewelive/soundseen.shtml
A talk by Majora Carter in TED:
Greening the Ghetto
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/53