Sustainable development - Citizenship and Social Development - HKDSE

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Citizenship and Social Development Study Notes: Sustainable Development

Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for the chapter on Sustainable Development. Don't worry if this sounds like a big, complicated topic. We're going to break it down into simple, easy-to-understand parts. Think of it as learning how we can live awesome lives today, while making sure that people in the future can do the same. It's all about being smart and fair to our planet and to each other!

Part 1: The "What" and "Why" of Sustainable Development (The Rationale)

The Big Idea: Meeting Today's Needs Without Messing Up Tomorrow

Imagine your family has a big, delicious cake. You want to eat some now, which is totally fair! But you also need to make sure there's enough cake left for your younger siblings, and maybe even for a celebration next week. You can't just eat the whole thing yourself.

Sustainable Development is exactly like that, but for the whole planet. The official definition, which is good to remember, comes from the United Nations:

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

In simple words, it's about finding a balance. We use the Earth's resources (like water, trees, and energy) to improve our lives now, but we do it wisely so that future generations will have enough resources to live well too.

The Three Pillars: A Balancing Act

To make sustainable development work, we need to balance three important areas. Think of it like a three-legged stool. If you take away one leg, the whole stool will fall over! All three pillars must be strong and work together.

Here are the three pillars:

1. Environmental Protection: This is about keeping our planet healthy. It means protecting our air and water from pollution, saving our forests and oceans, and looking after all the different plants and animals (this is called biodiversity).
2. Social Equity (Fairness): This is about making sure all people have a good quality of life. It means everyone should have access to things like education, healthcare, clean water, and opportunities to succeed. It's about creating a fair and just society for everyone, not just a few.
3. Economic Viability (Prosperity): This is about having a healthy economy where people can find jobs and businesses can thrive. But, it must be done in a way that doesn't harm the environment or society. It’s about long-term financial success, not just making a quick profit by polluting or exploiting people.

Memory Aid!

A simple way to remember the three pillars is with the "Three E's":

Environment + Equity (Social) + Economy

Key Takeaway for Part 1

Sustainable development is not just about being "green". It's a balanced approach to ensure a good life for people today and tomorrow, by taking care of our environment, creating a fair society, and building a strong economy all at the same time.

Part 2: Seeing Sustainability in Real Life (Practical Experiences)

Okay, so we know the theory. But what does sustainable development actually look like? Let's check out some real-world examples from our country, Hong Kong, and other regions.

1. Low-carbon Transportation System

What is it? It's about moving people around in ways that produce very little carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas).
Examples:

In Hong Kong, the MTR system is a fantastic example. It's super efficient and runs on electricity, which means fewer polluting cars on the road.
In our country, the development of the high-speed rail network connects cities with fast, electric trains, reducing the need for flights and car travel.

How it's sustainable: It reduces air pollution (Environment), provides affordable and convenient transport for millions (Social), and supports economic activity by moving people efficiently (Economy).

2. Sustainable Waste Management

What is it? It's about being smarter with our rubbish, instead of just throwing it all in a landfill.
Examples:

Hong Kong's "GREEN@COMMUNITY" recycling network and upcoming Municipal Solid Waste Charging scheme encourage people to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Many cities are now using technology to turn food waste into biogas, a source of renewable energy.

How it's sustainable: It reduces the amount of land needed for landfills and cuts down on pollution (Environment), creates cleaner living spaces for communities (Social), and can create jobs in the recycling and energy sectors (Economy).

3. Protection of Biodiversity

What is biodiversity? It's the amazing variety of all living things on Earth – from the smallest insect to the biggest whale, and the forests and oceans they live in.
What is being done?

In Hong Kong, we have designated Country Parks and Marine Parks to protect natural habitats and species like the Chinese White Dolphin.
In our country, massive efforts have been made to protect endangered species. The creation of the Giant Panda National Park is a great success story, helping to save them from extinction.

How it's sustainable: It protects the delicate balance of nature (Environment), provides beautiful natural spaces for people to enjoy and learn from (Social), and can support eco-tourism (Economy).

4. Responsible Consumption and Production

What is it? This is about changing our habits. It means we think about what we buy, and businesses think about how they make things.
Examples:

As a consumer, you can choose products with less packaging, avoid single-use plastics (like straws), and not waste food.
Companies can use recycled materials, reduce the energy they use in their factories, and design products that last longer.

Did you know? The "Food Wise Hong Kong" campaign is a government initiative aimed at encouraging the whole community to reduce food waste.

How it's sustainable: It conserves natural resources (Environment), can save people and companies money (Economy), and promotes a culture of mindfulness and caring for our planet (Social).

Key Takeaway for Part 2

Sustainable development is happening all around us! From the way we travel and manage our waste to how we protect nature and choose what to buy, these practical actions are helping to build a better future.

Part 3: Who's Responsible? A Team Effort!

So, whose job is it to make all this happen? The simple answer is: EVERYONE'S. In this subject, we call the different groups involved stakeholders. A stakeholder is any person or group that has an interest or is affected by an issue. For sustainability, we are all stakeholders!

Roles and Responsibilities of Different Stakeholders

The Government

The Role: The Rule-Maker and Big Planner.
Responsibilities:

Create environmental protection laws and policies (e.g., the Plastic Shopping Bag Levy in Hong Kong).
Invest in sustainable infrastructure (e.g., building renewable energy facilities).
Educate the public about the importance of conservation.
Cooperate with other countries on global environmental issues like climate change.

The Business Sector

The Role: The Producers and Innovators.
Responsibilities:

Adopt cleaner and greener production processes (known as Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR).
Reduce waste and pollution from their operations.
Develop and sell sustainable products (e.g., energy-efficient appliances).
Ensure fair treatment and safe working conditions for their employees.

The Education Sector (Schools and Universities)

The Role: The Knowledge Sharers.
Responsibilities:

Teach students (like you!) about sustainable development.
Conduct scientific research to find solutions to environmental problems.
Promote green habits on campus (e.g., having recycling bins and saving energy).

Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs)

The Role: The Watchdogs and Community Champions.
Responsibilities:

Raise public awareness about environmental issues (e.g., Greenpeace, WWF).
Organise community activities like beach clean-ups and tree planting.
Monitor the actions of governments and businesses to make sure they are keeping their promises.

Individuals (That means YOU!)

The Role: The Everyday Heroes.
Responsibilities:

Practice the "3Rs": Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Conserve resources at home: turn off lights and save water.
Make responsible choices as a consumer: buy what you need and support sustainable brands.
Participate in community conservation activities.

Remember, your small, daily actions really do add up to make a huge difference!

Quick Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake is thinking, "This is the government's problem, not mine." As we've seen, this is wrong! Sustainable development is a shared responsibility. It can only succeed if every stakeholder, from the government to each individual, plays their part. It's a team effort!

Key Takeaway for Part 3

Promoting environmental conservation and achieving sustainable development requires teamwork. The government sets the rules, businesses innovate, the education sector teaches, NGOs advocate, and individuals take action every day. Everyone has a vital role to play.