Population Change & Sustainable Development

By Alex Jackson

Last updated on

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The content on this page is extremely old. Much has changed in the world since this article was written. While many of the concepts will still be relevant, figures and case studies are likely to be outdated at this point.

  • Sustainability - Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Economic sustainability takes this concept further:

  • Economic Sustainability - Considers the ability of economies to maintain themselves when resources decline or become too expensive and when populations dependent on these resources are growing.

A Dilemma

  • Developed countries continue to demand resources for their populations in increasing amounts.
  • Less developed countries are supplying the resources that make the developed countries affluent.
  • Rapidly increasing populations of developing countries are demanding more and more resources.

Agenda 21

Agenda 21 is a UN sustainable development programme. It states that governments are obliged to formulate national plans or strategies for sustainable development. It also states that sustainable development is essentially a local activity.

Strategies by Local Authorities

  • Monitoring air and water quality.
  • Promoting energy efficiency.
  • Establishing effective recycling system.
  • Creating efficient forms of public transport.
  • Carrying out population management.

Local Population Management

Developing Countries:

  • Training community nurses.
  • Increasing female literacy rates.
  • Making contraceptives readily available.

Developed Countries