What sustainable development is
Using natural resources wisely, while protecting the balance of the environment and in a way that future generations can also use them, is called sustainable development.
Environmental management
Planning to keep the environment at a good level, in a way that does not harm it, while people use natural resources for their consumption, is called environmental management.
Sustainable development can be expected through sustainable agricultural practices, reforestation, the use of traditional knowledge and technology, reducing the carbon footprint and food miles, waste management and energy management.
Sustainable farming
Mixed crops, biological pest control, organic fertiliser.
Reforestation
Restoring lost forest cover.
Traditional knowledge
Tanks, local rice, traditional food, Ayurveda.
Managing waste and energy
Smaller footprints, the 4Rs, efficient energy use.
Why development and the environment need not clash
People need food, homes, jobs and energy, and a country needs to develop. The question is how. Cutting a forest for quick timber gives money once and leaves bare, eroding land; managing it, taking a little each year and replanting, gives timber forever. Sustainable development is the second kind: meeting today's needs without using up what tomorrow's people will need. The rest of this chapter looks at practical ways, many of them old Sri Lankan knowledge, to do exactly that.
Enough for today and tomorrow
Sustainable development uses resources wisely so future generations can use them too; environmental management plans how.