Prof. Dr. Riyadh Kadem Salman Al-Jumaili
College of Education for Human Sciences / Department of Applied Geography
Introduction: Who among us does not aspire to see the environment that surrounds us as safe, stable, and benevolent? The environment is the vast natural entity that cradles humanity and its achievements throughout history. We rely on it to fulfil our desires across various fields and circumstances. Yet, humanity never foresaw that this generous womb could be rendered miserable by our actions, holding us accountable and demanding that we pay the price for negligence and damage inflicted upon the ecosystem. Attrition and pollution in various environmental systems have led to this outcome.
Modern society has often overlooked the significance of our environmental systems. These systems possess a sense and vitality akin to other living components in the universe. Thus, our interactions with them should adhere to studied foundations, limits, and principles. By doing so, we can avert harm and safeguard the environment’s well-being. Regrettably, it wasn’t until the brink of the third millennium that we grasped this painful truth—how our arbitrary approach to the environment’s natural endowments led to its agitation and resentment. Manifested in diverse forms, such as climatic shifts and resource depletion, serve as cautionary messages, urging us to refine our interactions and enhance our rapport with the environment.
In light of this perspective, our paper strives to outline crucial steps and measures necessary to ensure environmental preservation rooted in the principle of sustainability. This principle serves as the gateway to a more conscientious shift, guiding us toward adopting rational methodologies when engaging with our intricate environmental systems:
1- Environmental sustainability
Many suggest that the concept of sustainability was not a product solely of our modern era, but rather, it has historical roots that link us to the middle ages and the utopian ideas that prevailed among thinkers of that period—aiming to contemplate the future of life and make preparations for it. The dissemination of this concept gained momentum during the Renaissance and its subsequent periods, further anchoring its origin and refining its essence. In the 18th century, the term saw expanded usage, particularly through the work of German mining expert and engineer Georgius Agricola, who applied the term to address the adverse effects of indiscriminate logging on wildlife quality in Europe [Environmental Risk Jacobus A: 2006].
“However, in the modern era, the concept has undergone significant evolution and expansion, encompassing broader considerations due to the pressing necessity of addressing resource overconsumption and unjust exploitation. These issues stem from the dual forces of technological progress spurring industrial and commercial expansion on the one hand, and the unmistakable emergence of environmental crises on the other. The principal impetus for this concept came from the Brundtland Report in 1987, presented to the International Committee for Environment and Development. This report delineated the concept meticulously, advocating for its utilization through scientific methodologies and the expertise of researchers to establish environmental policies, precautionary measures, and thorough evaluations of environmental projects. These actions are guided by a clear environmental equilibrium that aligns human needs with the capacities of the environment. The overarching aim is to preserve environmental systems, enhance their quality, and uphold the foundations of life within the absorptive limits of the supportive environmental framework. This approach also respects the rights of future generations and endeavors to meet their own needs [Robert Goodland: 1995].
“From this perspective, it can be asserted that the sustainability theory has experienced unprecedented growth in both theoretical and practical dimensions. Today, it is heralded as a guiding principle to confront the environmental shifts that have impacted our contemporary ecosystem.
.2- The importance of environmental development
The needs of modern society have witnessed a dramatic surge, encompassing diverse requirements across economic, service-related, and social realms. The primary arena upon which these requisites hinge is the realm of available natural resources. These resources are intricately entwined within comprehensive environmental systems, both ideologically and physically. Consequently, we find ourselves grappling with a complex equation and formidable trial: the pursuit of equilibrium between our environmental demands and the capacities of our supporting ecosystem. Herein lies a profound challenge—a discrepancy wherein the inherent equilibrium between these two pivotal factors remains elusive within the equation’s calculated outcomes.
“Alternatively, the contemplation of adopting sustainable methodologies emerges, rooted in the aspiration to establish a rational equilibrium between requisite resources and needs. This strategic pursuit aims to avert potential human disasters, reinstating an ethos of equity and reverence for the environment as an innate human asset. One that can be nurtured, sustained, and perpetuated [Tom Kuhlman et al.: 2010]. This encapsulates the significance of the sustainability principle, serving as a conduit to attain a suitable degree of balance and equity concerning natural resources. Within this framework, the utmost significance of environmental sustainability resonates.
Preserving the ecological balance of resources and protecting them from depletion and overexploitation:
Utilizing innovative scientific methods for managing environmental systems.
Enacting legislation and regulations that treat the environment and its resources as living entities deserving of care and respect.
Safeguarding and conserving environmental assets.
Implementing legal measures to discourage traditional approaches in exploiting natural resources.
3- Paths of environmental sustainability
Environmental development encompasses a multitude of avenues and strategies, all aimed at realizing its fundamental objectives: safeguarding and conserving natural resources against degradation and overexploitation. These pathways are illuminated by the following considerations:-
3-1- Environmental protection and maintenance
The paramount objective of environmental development is to perpetually enhance the environment’s capacities, ensuring an unceasing production of resources that sustain human life. At its core, environmental development revolves around the responsible management of natural resources, which form the bedrock of human existence and survival. Central to this mission is the preservation, longevity, and regenerative potential of these resources. Achieving equitable and consistent environmental conditions necessitates the systematic assessment of foundational environmental elements and the safeguarding of their integrity, all while adhering to well-established ecological thresholds [Tomislav Klarin: 2018].
3-2- Enhancing environmental awareness
Environmental awareness entails fortifying the interconnected triad of the environment, economy, and society. This is achieved by fostering community enlightenment regarding the symbiotic nature of this intricate relationship and ensuring its enduring equilibrium. The mantle of this responsibility rests upon the collective shoulders as environmental concerns ascend to become one of the pivotal challenges of our time. The imperative lies in cementing the bedrock of environmental education for forthcoming generations. This undertaking encompasses not only nurturing an ethos of environmental benevolence but also nurturing a robust framework of environmental ethics that perceives the environment as a nurturing cradle rather than an expendable reservoir.
“Crucially, this is where the media and educational institutions assume a pivotal role. They serve as the navigators steering diverse segments of society, disseminating accurate environmental knowledge and authentic data. The objective is to illuminate the looming environmental perils that envelop us, compelling the community to engage actively in the quest for viable resolutions.
3-3-Pursue rationality in the use of resources
The principle of rationality stands as a cardinal tenet that takes center stage in the intellectual pursuits of environmental sustainability. The urgency lies in humanity’s imperative to embrace this principle in its resource management practices. Once needs were discerned and prioritized through meticulous study, fulfilling them harmoniously with our environmental systems was a straightforward endeavor. However, the trajectory shifted as the principles of profit, competitiveness, investment, and monopoly infiltrated the landscape. These principles altered the dynamics of sourcing and developing natural resources in a manner that distanced them from fulfilling human needs. Simultaneously, they escalated the intensity of economic rivalry for resource acquisition, consequently driving up material costs at the expense of meeting consumer requisites.
3-4- Using technological means to protect the environment
The utilization of modern technology has yielded a plethora of skills and innovations across diverse domains, with environmental fields being particularly enriched. This technological advancement has permeated various realms of endeavor, nurturing progress across the spectrum. To concretize the ambitions of environmental sustainability, it becomes imperative to channel technological avenues, aligning them intricately with the ecosystem and its absorptive capacity. Moreover, addressing ecosystem challenges now stands poised to benefit from the prowess of artificial intelligence and its advanced technologies [Justice Mensah, 2019].
“Furthermore, a shift toward the production of renewable energy sources, free from the shackles of ecosystem burden, emerges as a requisite. Wind energy, sea wave harnessing, and hydroelectricity manifest as exemplars in this quest. This transition mandates a strategic stimulus to steer economic investments in this sustainable direction, thereby diminishing hazardous gas emissions that jeopardize the ecosystem. This trajectory, however, extends beyond these horizons. The infusion of artificial intelligence has ignited monumental strides and profound innovations in the realm of environmental sustainability. From life-sustaining programs to intelligent agriculture, contemporary mineral extraction methodologies, and energy source extraction, the augmentation is resounding. Moreover, meticulous management of pollution sources coupled with judicious avenues for their industrial utilization embody an environment-friendly paradigm shift of remarkable breadth.
References:
1- Robert Goodland,(1995) , THE CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY , Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, Vol. 26 (1995), pp. 1-24 , bdf.
2-Jacobus A. Du Pisani , (2006) Sustainable development – historical roots of the concept , Environmental Sciences June; 3(2): p:84.
3-Tom Kuhlman , and John Farrington (2010) , What is Sustainability , Sustainability 2010, 2, 3436-3448; doi:10.3390/su2113436 , p: 77 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability.
4-Tomislav Klarin (2018) , The Concept of Sustainable Development From its Beginning to the Contemporary Issues, Zagreb International Review of Economics & Business, Vol. 21, No. 1. P : 77. Bdf.
5- Justice Mensah (2019) , Sustainable development: Meaning, history principles, pillars, and implications for human , Cogent Social Sciences ,p: 12. BDF.
