In 1987 the United Nations declared that sustainable development “meets current needs without affecting the ability of the future generation from meeting their needs.” Sustainable development as a principle is aimed at social progress, the key to which is to ensure an economic development that respects environmental conditions. Our current economic system relies on continuous and unlimited growth although it is impossible to exploit the finite natural resources of a finite-sized planet infinitely, and thus it is unsustainable. However, sustainable development does not only concern the environmentally conscious way of life and business practices (e.g. use of renewable energy sources, reorganization of waste management). It also affects areas such as social justice, equal opportunities, social welfare and environmental quality for the development of human civilization. The future of human civilization can only be secured if the social, economic and environmental aspects of life are in harmony.
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