Development is thus a goal and an ongoing process, but there is uncertainty over its
exact meaning, the strategy that is best adopted to pursue it, or how it functions.
Providing a universally acceptable and precise definition of development is impossible; most would accept that it is a process of change (which can progress, regress or stagnate at varying speeds). Planners, managers and individuals may try to drive it forward in a wide range of ways, such as development planning, key speeches, books, fashions, inspirational acts (including terrorism), and by many other actions. Efforts to improve human material well-being and security have rarely been well planned, intended to benefit a broad swathe of society and avoid environmental damage. Civilisations have seldom lasted many centuries before human or environmental problems or both have 6 confounded them. Hopefully, environmental management will change things.