International Studies

S1 Sustainable Development

Resource 5: Sustainable Development

Sustainable development improves people’s lives without wasting resources or harming resources. Sustainable development is sensible development because it:

Uses but does not waste resources

It improves but does not threaten ways of life

It looks after the needs of today but does not damage the future

Sustainable development may be achieved by:

  • Encouraging a country to develop industries they can afford, so that they do not fall into debt by trying to make things that are too expensive or complicated
  • Developing and using technology that is suited to the skills, wealth and needs of the local people
  • Using natural resources carefully and responsibly

Task 1 Watch this clip on “sustainability”

Task 2 Read New Wider World

Answer questions 4 and 5 on New Wider World, page 158.

Task 3Which of the following statements describe examples of sustainable development?

  1. Borrowing money to set up a factory to make 4 x 4 people carriers
  2. Building a large dam and reservoir to store water
  3. Making pumps to use the sun’s energy to draw water from the ground
  4. Building major new highway to connect the main city with the national airport
  5. Helping a group of farmers to jointly own a barn to store crops
  6. Building a factory to make and repair bicycles
  7. Growing crops of different heights in the same fields
  8. Cutting down forests for timber to sell abroad
  9. Encouraging tourists to visit forests

Case Study of sustainable development: Solar Powered Pump in Kenya

(source: Lonely Planet)

For years, people of Turkana in northern Kenya have suffered persistent periods of drought. Finding water for their families means the women walking up to 10km in the searing heat to dried-up river beds, running the risk of attack on the way. They dig 'scoop holes' with their bare hands, uncovering small amounts of dirty, contaminated water that they have no choice but to drink.

By working with the communities in the heart of Turkana, Practical Action partnered local people to develop a sustainable solution to the endless problems caused by drought. We developed a solar-powered water pump that uses locally-sourced equipment to pump 30,000 clean litres of clean, safe water to the village every day.

These new pumps mean the villagers in Turkana, have access to clean, safe water every day, and they know they can drink in safety. Also, because they no longer have to spend hours searching for water, children have the time to go to school and women can grow vegetables to sell at the local market.

Task 4Find out about ONE of the following:

  1. Biogas plant
  2. Smoke hoods
  3. Micro hydro-power
  4. Fireless cooker

Case Study: Sustainable Living in Hutchie?

As a school we have made a start in trying to encourage sustainable living and a green lifestyle. But how successful have we been? What are we doing well, and what can we do better?

Task 5

a)Complete this questionnaire.

b)Compare your answers with your friends.

c)Describe the steps you would take to make Hutchie a more sustainable, greener school.

Strongly Disagree / Disagree / Agree / Strongly Agree
We are good at recycling paper
We use both sides of paper for worksheets, etc
we are good at recycling plastic bottles
Pupils know which bins to use for recycling
We don’t leave food at lunchtime
There is no litter in the school grounds
We recycle batteries and old print cartridges
We remember to switch off lights in empty classrooms
We use the textile bin at Boleyn Road for old clothes
We can buy Fair Trade chocolates in the vending machines