04

Environmental Problems and

Sustainable Development
According to the information available so far about the planets that exist
in the universe, the most unique planet is the earth. Keeping the Sun as its head,
its location and the geological and biological evolution has created a living
environment. The biosphere consists of an atmosphere which is formed by the
amalgamation of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere and it has created a
conducive environment for the plants and animals in the biosphere.

In recent times the concept of environment has attracted the attention of

human society as it has been subjected to various changes mainly due to its effect on
the human society. Even though, previously, man has maintained interrelationships
with environment they did not influence so much because the environment could
bear those changes. Therefore, in order to get a proper understanding of the
environment it is quite important to understand the real meaning of the environment,
its components and its extent.

Interpretations and views on Environment

We are part of the earth and it is part of us.

The perfumed flowers are our sisters.

The bear, the deer, the great eagle, these are our brothers.

The rocky crests, the dew in the meadow, the body heat of

the pony, and man all belong to the same family.

Chief Seattle's Letter - 1854

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 “The Environment is a blend of external states which influence the existence
of living beings.”

Garen Johns - Dictionary of Environmental Science – 1990

‘The Environment is the physical, chemical and biological states that exist
around a living being.”
- Dictionary of Environment

“The environment of a person is his surroundings. In the same manner the

environment of a plant or an animal is also consists of the things that can be
found around it.
- Man and the Environment -1998

According to this, environment is a mixture of living and non living things.

Accordingly all the animals including humans, plants, living and non living things
belong to the environment. All of them have complex and diverse inter relationships
between each other. The existence and processes occur by their inter relationships.

Activity 4.1

²² Develop a common definition to interpret the environment.

²² Prepare a collection of definitions written on environment.

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Components which form the environment
Nonliving (Non-biological) Components
This includes atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. The atmosphere
includes the air on earth, the lithosphere consists of the crust and the outer mantle
and the hydrosphere includes the ocean and freshwater. All these components
interrelate with plants and other living beings in various ways. Many physical and
chemical factors that affect living systems can be seen in these main components.
For example, solar radiation, temperature, rainfall, salinity, acidity and bases (PH
value), etc.

Living (biological) Components

Living components consist of all the animals including man, plants
and micro - organisms. The process that produces food essential for the living
components produced using the energy of the sun is known as primary production.

Social Environment

Social environment is a part of non physical environment. Multi ethnic

status, religion, castes, heritages, customs, rights, duties, responsibilities, cultures
are included in the physical setting of the social environment. This has been
developed with the intervention of man.

Environment is the surrounding that we live in. Ancient Greeks refered to

the environment as Oikos. They point out that the surroundings that one lives in
consist of all the living beings, the interrelationship that exists among them and the
physical, chemical and biological operations that contribute to its existence.

Fundamental study of the earth environment reveals that it can be classified

as man made environment and social environment. This can be analyzed in another
way as physical environment, biological environment and human environment.

Natural Environment
Natural environment is composed of living and non-living components.
These things function as natural systems without human influence. It consists
of all the plants, animals, rocks, soil, water, air, weather, energy, radiation and
electricity as well as natural phenomena that occurs within them.

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Community that belongs to the natural environment-

Fig 4.1-A Forest Fig 4.2- A Mountain Range

Fig 4.3- Animals Fig 4.4- Plant types

Fig 4.5- Birds

Fig 4.6- A Cross section of soila

Fig 4.7 - A river Fig 4.8- Sun light

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Phenomena that occurs in the natural environment

Fig 4.9 - Carbon cycle Fig 4.10 - Water cycle

Fig 4.11 - Mineral cycle Fig 4.12 - Food chain

Balanced combination of these environmental systems is important for

the existence of not only the human species but also for the existence of the
entire world.

The environment and man

Man is a part of nature. Man is an internal part of environment. Man is

the main component of the living environment which is formed from the physical
environment. Therefore, his existence will be established within the environment
itself. Man tends to change the environment using his thinking power and his
attempt to put this power into practice in the practical world. The result of this is
his temptation to change the nature rapidly and this change caused greater influence

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on the environmental balance. Wellbeing of nature affects the wellbeing of man.
Thus protecting nature is important.

Services obtained from the environment

Life support Services
This includes eternal services like sun light, air, water that we get from the
environment. These services are essential for the existence of living beings.

Economic Support Services

This consists of raw materials and energy essential for human existence.
Economic support services consist of land, mineral resources, chemical elements,
timber, plants and animal foods and drinks, etc., as raw materials where as solar
energy, fossil fuel, bio gas, geothermal heat hydroelectricity, wind power as energy
Man has made a greater influence on the environment in these sections in order to
satisfy his needs.

Waste material absorption services

This is important as a sublime service that we get from the environment.
The waste matter collected in the environment through various activities of
the animal world and through human economic activities is absorbed by the
environment. However, this ability of the environment is lost when the waste matter
in the environment gets collected at an intolerable level. Then the environment
responds unfavourably. Accordingly, environment is an essential component for
human existence and man cannot survive without the environment. Therefore, it is
important for man to maintain his economic activities as part of the environment
without affecting it.

Man’s attempt to change the environment

In the human civilization ancient man had limited capacity to change the
environment. He was capable of changing the environment while living in it so that
the environment could forebear such changes. Simplicity of man and modest life
style were the primany reasons for this. But modern man has been able to use the
knowledge, technical and skill proficiency that he possesses to obtain the resources

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that he requires and utilizes them for his own benefit. Man has pioneered among
other living beings that exist on the earth and he possesses 0.5% of the whole mass
of life on earth. Even though this number is comparatively small its effect on earth
is great.

With the evolution of the Homo Sapiens, the human environment has been
expanding qualitatively and quantitatively into the physical environment and the
biological environment causing greater influence on them. At the beginning the
influence caused on the environment was quantitatively smaller and hence the
natural environment was able to absorb them easily. Therefore it did not influence
the balance of the eco system.

By the mid 20th century, population on earth increased greatly. In the same
manner the human resource expanded as a result of qualitative development of living
conditions. With the change of the environment, natural balance of certain places on
earth was subject to change. As a result of this even the balance of the earth, too, was
subjected to change. In 2012 the world population reached 7 billion even surpassing
the forecast rate of growth. When performing his economic activities natural
resources, mineral resources, etc, man has used unlimitedly. Due to this, physical
environment is utilized unlimitedly for changes that occur on the natural system
of the environment based on the changes that occur in the human environmental
systems, specially, colonization agricultural-industrialization, industrialization,
urbanization infrastructure facilities and other service requirements. Through the
intensification of the changes that
take place on the surface of the
earth many grave environmental
effects or environmental problems
and disasters take place.

Fig 4.13 - An occasion which water has been

polluted

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Environmental Problems
All sorts of destructive conditions make the beautiful earth surface ugly. Its
effect can be shown as environmental problems. This is caused by both natural and
human activities. Breakdown of the ecological balance caused by this dual action
can be considered as environmental problems. Problems created by natural causes
affect for a short period of time and stabilizes due to the influence of the biological
and physical environmental factors. But changes that take place in the physical
environment caused by human action do not stabilize within a short period of time
This has become unbearable.

Environmental problems of the Earth can be identified in terms of

environmental problems related to hydrosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and
biosphere.

Social influences that take place due to environmental problems

Many environmental problems are caused by the over utilization of
environmental resources in an unorganized manner in order to satisfy human needs.
Many countries of the world suffer due to this fact. Food and nutritional problems,
diseases and health problems, destruction of life and property due to disasters, social
and economic degradation, etc., pose serious threat to the wellbeing of the society.
Over consumption of resources can be noticed as the main cause for
environmental problems. Developed countries utilize relatively higher level
of resource consumption. As a result of this, developing countries are affected
unfavouably and are severly affected by many environmental problems. The main
reason for this is the fact that resources of the developing countries are directed
towards fulfilling the needs of the developed countries. For example, higher
percentage of natural and mineral resources found in African, South American, and
Asian continents are used for the requirements of developing countries. Due to this
fact the resources are depleted rapidly as they tend to limitless mining and quarrying
of resources for selling them. Poverty of these countries have been increased as
they do not have a fair price for the resources. Due to their poverty, destruction of
forests, unsophisticated mining and quarrying and unprotected use of the resources
have intensified these problems.
Accordingly, environmental problems have intensified social disparities
further and because of that they have been subject to many environmental and
social influences.

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 Activity 4.2

²² Explain natural causes that lead to environmental problems.

²² Show the bad effects of environmental problems caused by natural factors.

²² Write an article to the newspaper on "Social effects created by

environmental problems".

Damage caused to the physical environment through natural

phenomena
Environmental problems are created by the phenomena that affect the natural
balance of the earth sphere. As examples, earth quakes, landslides, volcanoes,
wild fire glaziers, floods, droughts, whirlwinds, tsunami can be taken.

Fig 4.14 - Earth quake Fig 4.15 - Tsunami

Through the environmental problems created by these natural incidents

short term disasters take place. A storm damages the natural environment as well as
property and when the effect of the storm diminishes its effect also ends. Here the
affected trees and plants recover or adapt within a very short period of time. But
destroyed property has to be reconstructed.

Activity 4.3

²² Prepare an information file on environmental problems created by these

natural incidents

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Environmental problems created by human
As a result of human activities on the natural environmental systems
environmental changes occur subsequently creating many grave environmental
problems. Bad effects of these changes have given rise to many severe problems
such as global warming, severe changes in the weather patterns, pollution of bio
diversity, pollution of air and water, loss of soil fertility, occurrence of acid rains,
depletion of the ozone layer, desertification, saltification, spreading diseases,
melting glaziers and rising sea level. Actually, even though all these are treated as
environmental problems they can also be shown as problems of the human species.
The causes of environmental problems are discussed below.

Water Pollution

The specific feature of water is that it can dissolve many substances easily.
Therefore water gets easily polluted. During the past 125 years due to human
activities water was polluted rapidly. Water is polluted as a result of increasing
population, improper disposal of human excretion in an unhygienic manner,
releasing harmful materials through industrial waste, destruction of forests,
agricultural activities, etc., because of this reason 24% of world population have
lost the right to protected water.

Clean water

Clean water means water without acidity or alkaline. Ph. value of pure
water is 7.0. Pure water cannot be seen in the natural environment because it
becomes acidic by contacting with carbon dioxide found in the air.

Water pollution is the change of natural quality of water or else the change
in physical, chemical and biological characteristics of water.
Causes of water pollution
²² By industries
As examples paper, paint, garments, tanning leather, mineral oil, rubber,
food industry, and iron and steel industry can be identified.

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 ²² By agricultural activities

Fertilizer, weedicides, pesticides, insecticides, etc.,

²² By natural causes

Volcanic activity, earthquakes, tsunami, landslides, activities of underground

mineral materials

²² Becoming impure through household consumption and garbage and sewage

²² Washing vehicles

²² By acid rains

²² Nutrients, algae and aquatic plants

²² Gem mining, quarrying, building construction, laying oil and water,

construction of artificial reservoirs, coal mining

²² Salt water inflow

²² Military exercises and nuclear experiments carried out at the sea

Problems created by water pollution

²² Disturb the functioning of the water cycle

²² Spread of diseases and plague caused by drinking polluted water

²² Death of aquatic organisms

²² Interrupt agricultural activities

²² Death of aquatic plants and aquatic community

²² Spread of algae and other hostile plants

²² Destruction of natural beauty

²² High cost borne to obtain pure water

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Damages caused to the lithosphere and human influences related
to them
Many resources essential for human needs are obtained from the lithosphere.
Lithosphere is the earth’s outer covering of hard rocks. This consists of rocks, minerals
and soil. This part is utilized by man for all sorts of his economic activities. Iron ore,
aluminum, titanium, manganese, lead, copper, tin, platinum, uranium, mercury are
included in this. Man uses these materials for his industrial requirements. As these
minerals are spread unequally they are owned only by few countries.

Fig. 4.16 Iron ore mining Fig 4.17 Coal mining

Fig. 4.18 Mining

Since these mineral resources are spread not only on the surface of the
earth but it is also found in the interior of the earth it causes much damage to the
Lithosphere.

Fig. 4.19 Influences and damages caused by mining

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 These mineral resources are exhaustible resources because it takes a
long span of time for the formation of them. Therefore, they should be utilized
economically. Mining should be carried out by causing minimum damage to the
lithosphere.

Influences of the damage caused to the lithosphere

²² Destruction of natural beauty

²² Degradation of soil

²² Formation of marginal lands

²² Flooding

²² Infertility of soil

²² Destruction of forest cover

²² Spread of infectious diseases

²² Destruction of water resources

²² Reduction of underground water level

Damages caused as a result of the utilization of land and the human

influences towards it

Land utilization demonstrates the changes made to the natural land and for
the satisfaction of human needs. Changes made by man to the land is shown in the
pictures below.

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 Fig. 4.20 - Highways Fig. 4.21 - Factories

Fig. 4.22 - Other activities Fig. 4.23 - Created environment

Different threats have been posed to the environmental types of system due
to the land utilization

Removal of forest cover in this manner for agricultural activities

Out of the 144.8 million km2 total land area of the earth only 11% can
be cultivated. Much of the land area remains unsuitable for human dwelling
and for economic activities. Already a large amount of land area is cleared for
cultivation. The main reasons for the removal of this forest cover are preparation of
agricultural lands, fulfillment of energy requirements, timber trade, colonization,
and construction of industries, mining, construction of roads, development
projects, and construction of artificial reservoirs. As examples depletion of forest
resource : 85% the in Ivory Coast, 68% in Congo Forests, 95% in Bangladesh
and 78% in Sri Lanka Forests have been destroyed.

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Harmful effects caused by the depletion of forests
²² Supply of oxygen to the atmosphere is obstructed

²² Reduce the ability to absorb carbon dioxide

²² Drying up of water reserves

²² Removal of moisture of the soil

²² Increase of floods and landslides

²² Infertility of the soil due to deterioration of the physical qualities of the soil

²² Loss of dwelling for the living beings

²² Decline of the beauty of the environment

²² Limitation of the supply of timber, food and medicines

²² Destruction of bio-diversity

²² Increase of soil erosion

²² Increase of global warming

²² Lowering of the underground water level

²² Desertification

Activity 4.4

²² Prepare an information file depletion of biological resources
(living resources) and other related sections.
²² Suggest measures that can be taken to conserve forest resource.
²² Make use of the experiences gained by being sensitive to the
environment to develop good values.
²² Present your ideas about the measures you can take as a good citizen to
minimize environmental problems.

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Use of chemicals in agricultural activities
Since Green Revolution with the modernization of agricultural activities
which increased the harvest, the use of chemical fertilizer, insecticides, weedicides
has given rise to various problems. It changed the local environmental conditions
and polluted water. Accordingly, many strategies introduced under Green revolution
have contributed to pollute the environment. By 2010, 40% of the responsibility
for global warming rests on these influences. As a result of this 23% of fertile
land has been deteriorated. (Source: Management of Environmental Resources and
Sustainable Development – H.A. Danapala)

Disposal of indecomposable waste matter on land

With the technological development of man plastics and other artificial
materials, electronic goods and instruments are produced with the resources
available in the environment by changing their characteristics. They reach the
market competitively in different shapes. Within a very short period of time they
become outdated and are converted into waste. All these matter cannot be easily
decomposed through the natural process. The rate of production of these goods is
higher than the rate of destroying them and as a result they are added to the physical
environment as excess matter. This has become an obstacle to the environmental
process and the outcome of it is the pollution of land, water and air. They are very
difficult to be recycled.

Deposition of industrial waste

In the process of producing goods and services by man industrial waste
is disposed as a byproduct of mineral fuel, remains of minerals, iron and noniron
remains, etc.

A part of this waste matter can be recycled where as many cannot be

recycled. This has created many problems. The highly critical one out of them is the
deposition of nuclear waste. Many problems have been created due to the inclusion
of radioactive material in them.

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 Fig. 4.24 Industrial waste Fig 4.25 Nuclear waste

Fig 4.26 Chemical waste

Air Pollution

Changes that take place in the composition of atmosphere can be defined as

air pollution. Human activities have been the main cause of it. This disaster began
as a result of the new inventions of the Industrial Revolution and Green Revolution.
Particularly this was started when man began to use fossil fuel as an energy source.
Other than this, sectors such as industrial, agricultural, transport and deforestation
have contributed to air pollution.

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Air Pollution and Greenhouse air emission

Domestic and Waste matter and liquid waste

commercial activities
3%
8%
Transport
Sector 13% Energy power
26% generation

19%
Agricultural
sector 19%

17% Industrial
Sector

Destruction of forests

Even though 99.9% of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen, oxygen

and argon rare types of gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxide, and chlorofluorocarbon have contributed to this air pollution. Many
of these gases are by products of things produced by man.

Natural causes of air pollution

Fig. 4.27 - Volcanic eruption Fig. 4.28 - Wild fire

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 Fig. 4.29 - Sand storms

Air pollution by human activities

Fig. 4.30 - Factories Fig. 4.31 - Transport activities Fig. 4.32 - Garbage

Fig 4.33 - Aero planes Fig 4.34 - Deforestation

Harmful effects of air pollution

²² Global warming
²² Depletion of ozone layer
²² Acid rains
²² Sand clouds
²² Destruction of bio-diversity and bio production process
²² Climatic changes

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 ²² Melting snow caps
²² Rising sea level
²² Spread of diseases and epidemics

Fig 4.35 - Depletion of ozone layer Fig 4.36 - Acid rains Fig 4.37 - Sand storms

Fig 4.38 - Floods Fig 4.39 - Droughts Fig 4.40 - Melting snow caps

Fig 4.41 - Diseases

Effects of air pollution on climatic conditions

The natural greenhouse cover has been severely changed due to the
manmade greenhouse gases produced and released to the atmosphere as a result
of modernization that took place in agricultural, industrial and transport sectors.
The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in this manner has caused global
warming. From Industrial Revolution, burning of fossil fuel and deforestation has
contributed to increase the concentration of hydrogen to 26%. Due to activities like

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agriculture and animal husbandry, methane concentration have also increased as a
result of increased bio mass combustion power.

Bad effects of climatic changes

²² Rasing average temperature of the world
²² Changes in precipitation process
²² Marginal occurrences example - lightning storms, tornados, ice rains etc.
²² El Nino effect
²² Effects of monsoon activities
²² Melting snow and ice cover
²² Rising sea level
²² Decreasing agricultural harvest

²² Increasing contageous diseases

Effects on the biological environment and the social environment

Human activities have contributed to remove biological resources
from their natural habitats or eliminate them. Through these natural processes,
nonliving components have greatly affected plant and animal population. As an
example forests, wet lands, bio diversity, oceanic resources including coral reefs
have been affected by this. A large number of plants and animal population have
been included in the Red Data book due to this reason. Accordingly, while the
biological environment directly contributes to the existence of social environment
the breakdown of its balance also causes the decline of the social environment.

Effects of damaging the biological environment

²² Collapse of the balance of biological environment

²² Destruction of endemic plants and animal communities

²² Collapse of the functions of the bio systems such as oxygen cycle, carbon
cycle, water cycle

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 ²² Collapse of food chains and food webs
²² Formation of invasive plants and animals

Effects on the social environment

When human activities become complex even the social environment
becomes complicated. Complex activities of man have even caused social
diversity. Accordingly, role conflicts, functions related to environmental conflicts,
socio cultural and moral decline, collapse of family institutions, role of the family
becoming complex, changes in social institutions, globalization, changes in
economic patterns, technical modernization, etc., have influenced almost all the
societies in the world.

Effects of the damage done to social environment

²² Collapse of social relationships
²² Occurrence of religious and racial/communal conflicts
²² Social injustice takes place
²² Breakdown of family institutions
²² Breakdown of parent children relationships
²² Increase of immorality
²² Increase of anti-social activities

Responsibilities and duties of the government over environment

It is obvious that all the animal and palnt species including human living
on earth have no existence without the environment. Therefore, it is important to
protect the qualitative and quantitative aspects of environment. Government should
follow environmental protection and conservation strategies. Measures that could
be taken for this are given below.
²² Introducing environment standards, issuing environmental protection
license, and carrying out assessment to find environmental impact before
commencing large scale development projects according to National
Environment Act
²² Protecting the environment by taking regionally important decisions
regularly concidering the requirements of the environment.
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 ²² Developing the attitudes of the citizens to abide by the legal frame work
related to environment

²² Producing environment friendly citizens by introducting awareness raising

programmes

²² Esitmating environmental cost when doing development projects

²² Directing the production and industrial sector of the country towards the
concept of green productivity

Responsibilities and duties of citizens regarding environment

²² Using environmental resources economically

²² Prevention of disposing indecomposable waste

²² Recycling waste matter

²² Encouraging planting trees around home and its surrounding

²² Work with the awareness of the importance of environment

²² Raise awareness among others about protecting the environment

²² Follow and abide by the environmental laws

²² Assisting the institutions affiliated with the environment

²² Following an environment friendly life style

Development
Qualitative improvements in the living conditions of man can be defined simply
as development. At the beginning, the concept of development was considered to be
the economic growth and identified it as an increase in the Gross Domestic Product.
However, the concept of development gives priority to raise the living conditions of
a country, improvement of welfare services and economic progress.

Evolution of the concept of development

As the modern concept of development is a concept originated in the Western
World it is very important to pay attention to several definitions put forward by
academics in order to get a thorough understanding of it.
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 Development occurs with: the reduction and elimination of poverty,
inequality and unemployment within a growing economy.
Dudley Seers-

"Increase in production and the improvement in the methodology and

institutional organizations that contributed to increase the production
is development."
Kindal Burg -

Development is the upliftment of the quality of ife of the world

population.
1961 - 70 development decade
United Nations Organization

Economic development of a country should go together with social

development.
Social Development should take place in food, nutrition, health,
education, housing, social security, clothing, leisure, human freedom etc.
1978 UNESCO Declaration

Development is the process of growth and changes in factors including

population, social, cultural and moral aspects.

1981 – 90 Development Decade

The United Nations Organization

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising

the affecting of future generation to meet their own needs is called
Sustainable Development.
The Brundtland Commission

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 According to the above definitions ,it is clear that the concept of Development
at the beginning tended towards economic development but subsequently it favours
the qualitative development in [Link] further expands in to a broad concept to include
changes that take place in traditions, cultures and moral values. Subsequently, it
included concepts like human rights, democracy, politics, nature of institutions and
quality of the environment.

Activity 4.5

²² Explain the meaning of "Development" based on the definitions given.

²² Analyze the reason for the concept of "Development" to change from

time to time.

Measurement of Development
Development should be measured in order to consider the economic progress
and level achieved by a country, By measuring, it can be determined whether it
remains at a higher or lower level. A number of measurements are used to measure
it. These measurements have been changed with time.

Social Economic Moral

Comprehend the
Identify problems Find out the
development solution for the
disparities problem
Objectives of
measuring
Structural changes development
to the economy are Economic policies
essential are important
Can be compared
with other countries

Diagram 4.1

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 Activity 4.6

²² Engage in a brain storming disussion about the intention of measuring

the development using the above concept map.

Development Measurements

Traditional Modern

Gross Domestic Product Physical Quality of Life Index

Per Capita Gross Domestic Product Human Development Index

Real Gross National Product Human Poverty Index

Economic Growth Rate Human Pressure Index

Multidimensional Poverty Index

Telephone Density

Internet Usage

Changes in Market Structure

Inclusive Wealth Index

Computer Literacy

Green Gross Domestic Product

Diagram 4.2

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Gross National Product
The total of the value additions of all the goods and services produced in a
country within a year after taking Net Foreign Factor Income into consideration is
called Gross National Product.

Gross National Product = Gross Domestic Product + Net Foreign Factor

Income

Per Capita Gross National Product

The average amount of the goods and services produced in a country within
a year that is held by an adult is called the Per Capita Gross National Product or Per
Capita National Income.

Per Capita National Product = Gross National Product

Mid Year Population

Drawbacks in Per Capita Gross National Product

²² Only economic factors are considered
²² It does not display social status
²² Information on social welfare is not included
²² The value of this is divided among persons who do not contribute to production

Real National Product = Nominal Gross National Product x100

Implicit Price Index

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Modern Measurement
Physical Quality of Life Index ( PQLI )

Three components are used to prepare this index.

Literacy

Life expectancy at birth

Infant Mortality Rate

This index takes values from 0 – 100. This index helps to understand social,
cultural, education, nutrition and health aspects of a country.

By this index the nature of social development can be measured. Therefore,

the real nature of the development can be identified through this. This is used as a
supplement to the Per Capita Income.

Human Development Index

This is a relative measurement which is used for measuring human
[Link] progress achieved by a country in social and economic
components can be measured using this index. It represents human development as
higher, medium and lower levels.

This is a composite index which measures the three aspects of human

development, namely, healthy living, level of knowledge and living conditions.
Following components were used at the beginning for the preparation of this index.
²² Life expectancy at birth
²² Education

²² Per Capita Income adjusted by the purchasing power

But at present a wider concept of education is used instead of literacy.

Using this index countries are categorized as very high, moderate and lower level
of human development.

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 HD index of some selected countries

Country HD index Place Held

2010 2012 2010 2012
Sri Lanka 0'658 0'715 91 92
India 0'519 0'554 119 136
Pakistan 0'490 0'515 125 146
Malaysia 0'744 0'769 57 64
Singapore 0'846 0'895 27 18
USA 0'902 0'937 4 3
Iceland 0'869 0'906 17 13
Sierra Leone 0'317 0'359 158 177
Source: Human Index Report 2010 and 2013

Efficiency of the measurements used to measure development

Drawbacks in Per Capita Gross National Product
²² Only economic factors are considered
²² It does not display social status
²² Information on social welfare is not included
²² The value of this is divided among persons who do not contribute to production

Classification of countries according to development

Depending on the level of development using both traditional and modern
types of measurements countries are classified as

²² Developing Countries

²² Developed Countries

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 Physical Quality Life
Index is lower
Infant Mortality Per - Capita
Rate is higher Income is lower

The Rate of Features of Human

Population growth Developing Countries Development Index
is higher is Lower

Foreign Exchange
Number of patients per earnings are lower
doctor is higher Usage of
technology is lower

Diagram 4.3

Problems encountered by the developing countries

²² Scarcity of Capital

²² Price variability in primary goods

²² Have to pay higher prices on imports

²² Unfavourable balance of payments

²² Protectionist policies adopted by developed countries in international trade

Example: tariffs, rationing systems

²² Energy crisis

²² Brain drain

The reason for the state of poverty prevailing in the developing countries
is depicted by the vicious cycle of poverty.

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 low income

higher consumer
less production expense

less capital reduce savings

Diagram 4.4

Solutions for the problems faced in the process of development

²² Encourage domestic savings

²² Diversification of exports

²² Search for new markets

²² Follow import substitution policies

²² Introduce alternative energy sources and use them

²² Formation of regional organizations

²² Formation of trade agreements with developed countries

²² Obtain foreign aids

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 Domestic
Terrorist resources owned
Scarcity of
by foreigners
problems capital

Political
Malnutrition
instability

Problems faced by Unfavourable

Unemployment balance of
Developing countries
payments

Shortage Rate of
of foreign dependents at a
exchange higher level

Population Price fluctuations

growth rate Less of primary goods
technological
knowledge

Diagram 4.5

Examples of Developing Countries

²² Sierra Leone
²² Ethiopia
²² Somalia
²² India
²² Bangladesh

Significance of Sri Lanka as a Developing country

²² In relation to the Developing Countries Sri Lanka has a higher level of literacy
²² Infant mortality and maternal mortality remain at a lower level
²² Life Expectancy remains at a higher level

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Measures that have taken by Sri Lanka to overcome development challenges
²² Developing tourism
²² Encourage local knowledge and domestic investors
²² Expand technological knowledge and skills
²² Build up political stability
²² Encourage domestic savings
²² Export diversification
²² Develop infrastructure facilities
²² Promote export oriented industries
²² Convert Sri Lanka into a hub of shipping, education and information technology

Characteristics of Developed Countries

Human Per Capita
Physical Quality Development Income is
Index is higher higher
of Life is higher

Urban Higher level

population is of Literacy
higher
More
Characteristics of technology
Developing Countries is used
Greater amount
of capital
resources Life
Expectancy is
Industrial higher
contribution
Infant Mortality
is higher
Expenditure Rate is lower
on education is
higher
Diagram 4.6

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Problems faced by Developed Countries
²² Environmental Pollution

²² International Terrorism

²² Difficulty in obtaining raw materials

²² Energy crisis

²² Market competition

²² Intensifying social problems

²² Increasing natural disasters

²² Market competition posed by Newly Industrialized Countries

Examples of Developed Countries

²² Norway

²² Sweden

²² Japan

²² USA

²² Australia

²² Canada

²² Germany

²² France

²² Belgium

The Concept of Sustainable Development

The greatest challenge in the concept of development is the fulfillment of
human necessities which expand with the increase in population. More resources

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have to be used to fulfill needs of the increasing population. The environment has to
bear a huge cost resulted by the increase in production and inputs. The environment
is put into great risk due to the fact that in the process of development man has
completely forgotten the environment as he pay greater attention to fulfill his needs
and requirements.

Due to the reasons like excessive mining of resources, moving to alternative

resources as a result of by the scarcity of resources, increase of waste matter
disposed to the environment, intensification of environmental pollution, etc., we
have to face marginal states such as damaging the bio diversity, obstruction of
natural process, intensification of natural disasters and increase in global warming.

Even though the concept of development has upgraded the quality of human
life through economic development it is revealed that as a whole it has not been
able to bring fairness to the world community. Majority of the world population
suffers from poverty while destruction and deterioration of the quality of natural
resources are taking place. As a result of this, a greater number of people are subject
to of unfavourable physical health conditions.

In this manner, changes that cannot be borne by the physical environmental

systems should not be brought about for the sake of the quality of human
development. The interactions between man and the environment should not
be disregarded and we should not leave room for the destruction of resources.
It is important to pay attention to prevent depletion of rare and exhaustible
(non-renewable) resources. We should also utilize these resources with proper
management. Accordingly, man should enter into the development concept in a
fair manner that safeguards the existence of the future man in the globe despite
the development attempts.

Sustainable development is maintaining the process of development in

a higher level that meets the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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Evolution of the concept of Sustainable Development
The initiative for the concept of sustainable development was taken with
the establishment of the World Environmental Commission in 1983 with the former
Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland as its President. The report by
the name “Our Common Future” which was published by this Commission argued
that the “Environment and Development” should be integrated. Accordingly,
sustainable development is defined as “the development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs”. It proposed to achieve those goals nationally as well as internationally. This
concept has been formally accepted worldwide and the International Conference
on Environment and Development held in July 1992 at Riode Janeiro paid more
attention to environmental problems. At this conference the agenda for the 21st
century was globally accepted. All the nations were expected to carry out strategies
endorsed for the Sustainable Development and to fulfill all their tasks and
responsibilities.

The United Nations held Millennium Conference in year 2000 and when
formulating millennium objectives priority was given to objectives of sustainable
development. Progress of the Millennium Objectives of the world was evaluated
in 2005. Tewnty years after the first conference, in 2012, a World Conference
was held again in Riode Janeiro. It was held “for the renewal of our commitment
for a lasting development of our planet and to ensure an economically, socially
and environmentally established future for the present and future generations”.
Accordingly, it is quite essential not to deviate from the determinations arrived at
this conference.

In this manner the United Nations Conference (Rio + 20) determined that it
is quite essential to improve lasting development further by uniting all the sectors
in its different perspectives including economic, social and environmental sectors
and by accepting their interrelationships. Hence, it is admirable that the world
community have paid attention to this concept on policy and legal basis

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Challenges to overcome when achieving Sustainable Development
Development Technology Social Achievement Fulfilment of
of values used in participation of fairness basic human
output needs

Instinctive needs

Sustainable
development

Environmental
Economic
development
development

Environment Development Prevention of Attitudes

friendly affordable to the earth Social Cost towards profit
resources Competition created maximization
Safeguarding
by the expansion of
aesthetic beauty the Market
Diagram 4.7

Necessity of Sustainable Development

In the fulfillment of human needs and wants under Sustainable Development,
irrespeetive of considering only economic needs, attention should be paid to both
social and environmental development fulfilling human needs and wants.

In the development process it is quite important to be sensitive to the needs

of the environment. The social cost of the damage caused to the environment
and the loss of natural resources in the process of human development should be

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assessed. Since the economic activities which are carried out with the expectation
of profit making, affect the entire world population there should be restrictions. It is
important to set restrictions on harmful things produced on profit expectation. The
balance of social, economic and environmental development should be brought
about by carrying out environmental assessments on large scale mining and
construction activities, industries and agricultural activities which cause damage
to the environment. Therefore, if we are going to have a pure world for our future
generation we should utilize resources without exploiting them. The great Indian
poet Kalidasa in his text “Kumara Sambhawa” stated that the earth should be
utilized in the manner of milking a cow and not by exploitation. Therefore, what
is expected by Sustainable Development is the development in that sense. It is,
therefore, important to pay attention to the Millennium Goals on Environment and
Development.

Measures that should be taken to achieve Sustainable Development

At present many countries in the world have realized the importance of the
concept of Sustainable Development. Accordingly, agreements have been reached
to guarantee an economically, socially and environmentally Sustainable future not
only for our planet but for the future generation as well. Thus it is important to pay
attention to Millennium Goals on Sustainable Development.

Main factor that determines development is the availability of resources.

It is easier to achieve Sustainable Development by increasing productivity and
efficiency of the resources. Here the 3R concept is important as a main approach
that can be utilized.

• Reduce • Reuse • Recycle

Strategies gtobally used to increase productivity

5S Concept - Productivity Concept
CP - Cleaner Production Concept
GP - Green Productivity Concept

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 TQM - The Concept of Total Quality Management
Poka Yoke - Mistake Proofing

PPP - Producer Pays Principle

Activity 4.7

²² Propose measures that you can take at home to act in an environmental

friendly manner.
²² Out of the proposals you suggested select sections in which you should be
more sensitive and put them into practice.
²² Take follow up measures in carrying out these tasks.
²² Take initiative by your class to carry out environmental protection
programmes that can be put into practice in your school.

Avoid
excessive Development of
Environmental
consumption environmental
friendly life
friendly attitudes
style

Adopt
Conservation Responsibilities of
laws and
of power and Citizens on Sustainable
regulations
energy Development

Economical Do not damage Proper disposal

uses of the physical of garbage
resources environment
Diagram 4.8

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The duty and responsibility of different institutions and
organizations about Sustainable Development
The entire economic process of a country is directed and managed by
the state or government sector and the private sector. In all these activities it is
quite important to pay greater attention to the importance of the environment.
Particularly, these institutions should be bound to be sensitive to the damage caused
to the environment, monitoring and searching about them, collecting accurate data,
informing, and raising awareness of the relevant institutions and sections. Awareness
should be raised about the importance of sustainable development through various
media. Especially development of environmental friendly attitudes, thinking,
behaviour patterns and simple way of living should be established in the education
process.

The duty and responsibility of the government about Sustainable

Development
The rulers should possess the guidance and dedication necessary for the
accomplishment of the concept of Sustainable Development in the State policies
and vision. Here it is quite important to adopt a national policy on Sustainable
Development. Through this the rulers should be of responsibile of strengthening
state institutions, raising awareness among them and directing them towards
Sustainable Development. All these awareness raising activities should be carried
out by the officers of state and state institutions. Further, they should be involved in
the enforcement of National Environmental Acts through the relevant institutions
and mediation in the administration of justice properly. From time to time important
policy decisions should be taken considering the environmental needs locally as
well as at national level.

Poverty of the people can be regarded as a major reason for the destruction of
the environmental resources. As a result of this, environmental resources are misused
and exploited in an unauthorized manner. Measures to alleviate poverty must be
followed in order to prevent this. Steps should be taken to minimize the imbalance
that prevails in production, distribution and consumption of a country. Investors
should be encouraged to wards environmental friendly production and services.

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 Accordingly, several responsibilities and duties of the government to be
fulfilled in order to maintain sustainable development are given below.

²² Planning and implementing environmental conservation programmes.

²² Encouraging manufacturers of environmental friendly goods and services.

²² Educating the public about the importance of consuming environmental

friendly goods and services.

²² Making and enforcement of laws related to environmental conservation.

example- 1980 National Environment Act.

²² Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

²² Environmental Protection License (EPL)

²² Introducing environmental standards

²² Declaring Environmental Protection Areas (EPA)

²² Controling the emmission of green house gases

²² Directing people towards environmental friendly life style, limit the

excessive consumption of resources.

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