What do you believe are the greatest challenges to a sustainable future?
Arguably, attaining sustainability has been and it will always be difficult. As a matter of fact, it is the realization that current global population is purely borrowing environmental condition and resources from generations to come.Several factors, which are solely interactive in nature, are threats to a sustainable future of the planet earth. Some of the main challenges to a sustainable future include urbanization and population growth, pollution of air, soil, and water and excessive wastes, global warming and energy use, as well as inadequate provision of resources.
The global population at the end of this year is estimated to be approximately 7 billion, with a high annual growth rate. The issue of the population is a greater challenge for the sustainable future. The highest rate of population increase is witnessed in the less developed counties as compared to developed countries. Hence, population is substantially increasing in regions where it is unaffordable. Increase in population comes up with more demand and utilization of the unavailable resources.
On the other hand, urbanization leads to migration of the global population from rural areas to urban areas, resulting to growth of slums, increased pollutions, congestion, insecurity, and deterioration of healthcare. Perhaps, total depletion of resources is another crucial challenge to a sustainable future. The rate, in which resources are used and destroyed, implies that the coming generations would not have resources to sustain them.
Identify sustainability challenges with which the world is currently struggling.
Currently, the world has become so used to petroleum and oil products, utilizing them as if there is no future. Industrialization has thoroughly changed the lifestyle of people; many think that oil will always be available. The world is producing this commodity does not meet the current demand, leading to unsustainable situations.
Another challenge to sustainability is global warming. This is the persistent increase in temperatures of surface air. Higher temperatures lead to melting of glacier consequently raising the sea level. Undoubtedly, scientist beliefs that human activities are the main cause of global warming. Global warming is a threat to sustainability as it affects both the flora and fauna. It has changed climate in the world; hence reducing agricultural production, as well as increasing the intensity and occurrence of extreme weather events.
Currently, it is difficult to manage diverse expectations of many countries. Economically, the increase in technology, access to information and communication has expanded the struggle for stability. The global superpowers continue to pollute the environment, as a result of industrial progress. Nations need to be focused on sustainable future rather than focusing on one path of life. Human beings are the main destructors of own environment. For example, deforestation has become a challenge to sustainability.
Explain how some of the challenges of sustainability have led to innovation.
The challenges of sustainability have enabled individuals to come up with various innovations to tackle the problems. Some of the innovations brought by sustainability challenges include wind power, bio-energy, solar energy, bio-refinery technologies, and green house technology. Additionally, the challenges have seen the innovations of alternative fuels such as bio-alcohol, biodiesel, non-fossil natural gas, chemically stored electricity, and electric automobiles.
The future of energy has led to innovative material and technologies. The challenge of tremendous needs for energy in the globe, ha s led to production of hybrid cars, advance batteries, and making of green buildings. It is believed that these innovations will lead to a sustainable, clean, and affordable energy. Feeding the ever rising population, is been achieved through innovative means of producing fast growing and healthier crops. This is achieved through the use of greenhouse technology. The innovations are to help in achieving economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
