Discuss the emergence of the concept of 'sustainable development' in Essay

Discuss the emergence of the concept of 'sustainable development' in the 1990s and drawing on specific examples, critically - Essay Example This would enhance practical application of sustainable development in this century and the succeeding years. This paper discusses the emergence of the concept of sustainable development and its relevance in the current developmental practices in the world. During the onset of industrialization in the 18th century, scientists began questioning the impact of human civilization and activities to the environment and the available natural resources (WCED, 1987:26). In the late 18th century WCED (1987) notes that, Thomas Malthus predicted that the rapid growth in the global human population would ultimately result to low food production, where people around the planet would barely have enough to eat because of high population density. In this regard, if population growth remained unchecked, it increased the geometrical ratio and subsistence of man arithmetically. However, in the following two centuries after his prediction, growth in agricultural technology has enhanced more food producti on in spite of the growth in global population. Although some parts especially in developing economies still face food insecurity, agricultural overproduction in other regions have ensured relative global food security. Through improved farming methods, application of the fertilizers and use of heavy agricultural machinery have not only ensured improvement in crop production but also an increase in the area under crop production (Rogers, et al 2008: 35). However, the improved agricultural production has not come without an environmental price. Strategic natural resources such as forests, water bodies, animal habitats and other geographical features have been depleted and extensively damaged for long time before policy makers became cognizant of the environmental effects. In 1972, the concern about human activities to the depletion of natural resources was raised in the club of Rome after an increase in commodity prices was observed in the world market (Parris and Kates, 2003:59). Th is forum predicted that increase in industrial capital would lead to proportional growth in population that would in turn increase the pressure on the available non-renewable resources. However, failure of this argument to materialize fully in the following three decades resulted to its disapproval, but it raised enough concerns about environment and sustainable development (Parris and Kates, 2003:61) A conference held in 1972 in Stockholm, Sweden on human environment was the first of its kind to devote discussions entirely on environmental affairs. The convention brought together over 113 countries and representatives from international organizations (Asefa, 2005:22). During the convention, experts articulated on the interconnection between the environment and human development by arguing that both of them were interdependent of each other. This convention also resulted to the formation of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) to ensure that human activities do not destro y the environment and ensure its sustainability for the sake of the future generations. In addition, the conference in Stockholm established fundamental international agreement regarding dumping of wastes in oceans, pollution by water vessels and control of trade involving endangered species (WCED, 1987:72) However, Kates et al (2005: 53)