Sustainability is a concept which deals with mankind's impact, through development, on the environment. Sustainable Development is "development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Today's environmental problems, like air pollution, are largely a consequence of the unsustainable consumption of natural resources and the mismanagement of waste products. Sustainability is about environmental protection, sustained economic growth and social equity.

Introduction to Sustainability
During the last 25 years the world has become aware of the environmental problems its development is causing. Significantly, some of these problems are now affecting the entire Earth. Air pollution from energy production, transportation and the consumption of natural resources and production of waste is reducing air quality in many areas, and causing acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion. Governments began to recognise that the level of environmental degradation current practices of economic development were having could not be sustained without significant impacts upon future generations.

In 1987 the Brundtland Report recognised that economic development taking place today could no longer compromise the development needs of future generations. This concept of sustainable development aimed to encourage people to reflect on the harm economic development was having on both the environment and on society. Building upon this, the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 represented a major step forward towards the goal of achieving sustainability, with international agreements made on climate change, forests and biodiversity. Out of the Earth Summit came Agenda 21, a blueprint for sustainability in the 21st century. By championing the concept of sustainable development, Agenda 21 provides a framework for tackling today’s social and environmental problems, including air pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, health, overpopulation, poverty, energy consumption, waste production and transport issues.

Agenda 21 requires each country to draw up a national strategy of sustainable development. Following Agenda 21 the UK Strategy bases its vision of sustainable development on social equality, environmental protection, conservation and preservation of natural resource and maintenance of high employment and economic growth. This strategy is implemented through the framework of local government via Local Agenda 21, engaging local communities to become part of the process, and monitored by a series of sustainability indicators.

There are many things we can do to become more sustainable. We can cut down on our use of energy which comes from the burning of non-renewable fossil fuels in power stations, and use what energy we do need more efficiently. We can recycle some of the waste we generate and try to limit the amount we produce in the first place. And we can consider adopting more environmentally friendly forms of transport, such as walking and cycling or public transport. At the same time, Governments and industries can investigate cleaner ways of generating electricity, using renewable energy resources like wind power, solar power, hydroelectric power biofuels, geothermal energy, tidal power and wave power


BIOFUELS

Biofuels are plant material and animal waste, and specifically grown crops, which can be burnt to produce energy. It is sometimes known as "biomass burning". Biomass material may include tree and grass crops, and forestry, agricultural and urban waste. It is the oldest source of renewable energy known to humans. Biofuels are considered to be renewable sources of energy source because the energy they contain comes from the Sun.

Unlike other renewables, biofuel energy does release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but it is only returning to the atmosphere as much as was removed through photosynthesis during the plant’s lifetime. Burning fossil fuels, by contrast, returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere that has been locked away in the Earth’s crust for millions of years.

Crops can be grown with the purpose of being burnt to produce energy, for example willow and oil seed. Energy from waste can also be generated by burning the methane given off from waste landfill sites. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, and burning it would help to reduce the amount of methane in the atmosphere.


CYCLING & WALKING

Cycling is often the quickest way to make short journeys. It also has the advantage that it does not release air pollution to the atmosphere, unlike motorised forms of transport. Cycling has been popular in many European countries with excellent cycle lanes segregated from main road traffic routes. In the UK, cycling has declined in popularity during the last 20 years, and now accounts for only 1% of all distance travelled by road users. In June 2000 however, the UK's first national cycle network was opened by Sustrans, the cycling charity, to encourage more people to cycle.

The provision of cycle and pedestrian routes, segregated from road networks, may encourage an increase in the number of short journeys being made by bike or foot. This could be assisted by improving cycle parking facilities at convenient locations and improving pedestrian access to and within public transport facilities.

Walking is a sustainable mode of transport that is available to all at no cost. The safer the walking environment the better, and hence the introduction of pedestranisation to city centres in the UK has increased the number of people that travel on foot. York and Cambridge are good examples of cities where improved conditions for pedestrians have brought an increase in pedestrian traffic. In the UK it has been found that 50% of all journeys are under two miles, and therefore are ideal for cycling or walking. Walking and cycling are also extremely healthy modes of transport, as they increase physical fitness.


AGENDA 21

Agenda 21, established at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, or "Earth Summit", in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the blueprint for sustainability in the 21st century. Agenda 21 is a commitment to sustainable development, which was agreed by many of the world's governments. Nations that have pledged to take part in Agenda 21 are monitored by the International Commission on Sustainable Development, and are encouraged to promote Agenda 21 at the local and regional levels within their own countries. Agenda 21 addresses the development of societies and economies by focusing on the conservation and preservation of our environments and natural resources.

Agenda 21 is a blueprint on how to make development socially, economically and environmentally sustainable in the 21st century. Governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), industry and the general public are all encouraged to become involved. Agenda 21 provides a framework for tackling today’s social and environmental problems, including air pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, health, overpopulation, poverty, energy consumption, waste production and transport issues.


HUMAN HEALTH

Poor health is linked to poverty, with the world's poorest people often in the poorest state of health owing to disease, malnutrition or starvation. Commonly in developing countries public health suffers from a lack of sanitation from dirty drinking water, and from a lack of food. However, over-consumption in western societies can also damage health through heart disease and obesity.

A healthy society requires the construction of planning systems that concentrate on the prevention of disease. An important need for many people is vaccination against contagious diseases. Sickness prevention is a more sustainable option than illness treatment and cure, mainly because the costs are much lower.

An increasing cause of health problems, both in the developed and developing world, are those related to air pollution. Poor air quality can lead to breathing and other respiratory difficulties. Asthma is now much more common than it used to be, although air pollution is probably not the only explanation for this. Changes in climate as a result of greenhouse gas pollution may increase heat-related stress and cardio-vascular problems. In addition, the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria in a warmer world will probably increase. Ozone depletion at higher altitudes in the atmosphere will increase the incidence of skin cancers and eye disorders. Agenda 21 promotes reducing the risks to human health caused by these air pollution hazards.


PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport offers alternative modes of transport to the private motor car. Public transport, including trains, trams and buses, can relieve traffic congestion and reduce air pollution from road transport. The use of public transport must be encouraged if a sustainable transport policy is to be developed.

Railways are efficient forms of transport that use existing tracks, and therefore use less land than roads. One commuter train may hold hundreds of passengers which may otherwise have travelled to work by car. Although trains can reduce road congestion, it is important to remember that they still contribute to air pollution both directly and indirectly. Diesel engines produce a large amount of particulates. Electric trains do not release air pollutants directly, but their electricity produced "upstream" by power stations can contribute to acid rain and global warming if they use fossil fuels.

Buses are generally recognised as an environmentally friendly form of transport, particularly in relation to the number of car journeys needed to carry the same number of passengers. A bus uses less fuel per person carried, and hence less fuel than the number of cars needed to replace it. However, buses do contribute to air quality problems, particularly in cities. Buses in the UK are mainly powered by diesel engines, with a handful of alternative fuels under trial. Improvements in the emission performance of buses are likely to be needed in the future.

There has been a resurgence in the use of transport such as trams and light railway, which have a lower environmental impact than buses. Trams use smaller vehicles and tighter rail tracks than conventional trains, which enables them to be constructed within existing built-up areas. They also run at a lower cost than trains, and they can easily be expanded to accommodate increases in passengers.

An example of a successful light rail transport scheme is the Metrolink, developed in Manchester in 1991. Sections of the Metrolink run parallel to other vehicles in the existing road network. Since its successful instalment, additional extensions have been developed or planned to surrounding suburbs.

Public transport should form part of a wider integrated sustainable transport strategy. However, the cost and convenience of use of public transport needs to be lowered to encourage people to use this as an alternative to personal vehicles.


UK SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Agenda 21 requires that nations participating in the quest for a more sustainable social, environmental and economic future develop national strategies for their sustainable development. The UK Government bases its vision of sustainable development on four broad objectives:

:: Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
:: Effective protection of the environment;
:: Prudent use of natural resources; and
:: Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth
and employment.

The UK Sustainable Development Strategy recognises that everybody has the right to a healthy, clean and safe environment. This can be achieved by reducing pollution, poverty, poor housing and unemployment. Global environmental threats, such as climate change and poor air quality must be reduced to protect human and environmental health. The use of non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels should not be stopped overnight, but they must be used efficiently and the development of alternatives should be used to help phase them out. Finally, everybody has the right to a good standard of living, with better job opportunities. Economic prosperity is required if the UK is to prosper. For this, we need a workforce equipped with suitable skills and education within a framework to support them.
The UK Sustainable Development Strategy recognises the need for a new, more environmentally sound approach to development, especially with regard to transport, energy production and waste management. The Government wishes to allow economic growth to continue, but more sustainably, to ensure that the costs of growth do result in excessive environmental deterioration or social injustice. Changing the way we think about development is an important part of the UK Strategy. The UK Strategy is a catalyst for change.


WASTE

The social and economic development of a country can cause an increase in pressures on its environment and increases the need for a reduction in environmentally damaging activities. Some of these damaging activities involve the production and disposal of waste. The more waste we produce, the more we have to dispose. The production of consumables in the first place, and their disposal when used uses up valuable natural resources and energy, processes which can impact upon the environment and in particular the atmosphere through pollution. Sustainable waste management encourages the generation of less waste, the re-use of consumables, and the recycling and recovery of waste that is produced.

Waste is generated by all sorts of means. Most waste comes from domestic and municipal consumption of goods, manufacturing, construction, sewage treatment, agriculture and the generation and disposal of hazardous substances. Waste includes paper, plastics, glass, metals, foods, chemicals, oils, bricks, wood, soil, and effluent.

The Waste Strategy 2000 for England & Wales describes the policies concerning the recovery and disposal of waste. These policies are a requirement of all countries in the European Union (EU). The key objectives of the strategy are to reduce the risk of pollution from those wastes. The idea of 'sustainable development' has been incorporated into the themes of the Waste Strategy 2000. This requires countries within the EU to give careful consideration to the environmental impacts of waste disposal. The UK has implemented the EU strategy by developing the idea of a 'waste management hierarchy'. This encompasses the processes of reduction, re-use, recycling and recovery, in that order of priority.