Driven by technological advances and global integration, the strong economic growth experienced over the last century has been accompanied by gains in material welfare in all parts of the world. World GDP is projected to expand by 75% between 1995-2020, bringing with it increased pressures on environmental and social resources. Governments pursuing sustainable development face the challenge of discerning how best to balance the challenges and opportunities of growth and to decouple economic growth from environmental pressures. Given the global nature of many of the most pressing development challenges such as climate change it is imperative that countries build strong coalitions to address issues of common concern, and that they adapt institutions and decision making processes to ever-increasing globalization. This chapter provides an overview of some key economic, environmental and social trends important to sustainable development and discusses the challenges they pose for the wellbeing of current and future generations.
Embrace what makes you different.
Honor those who will come after you.