1.1 Sustainable Development: Protecting Resources for Future Generations

This lesson introduces sustainable development and explains its central principle: meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It explores the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability, including renewable energy, food systems, urban design, poverty and public health. You will also be introduced to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, their measurable targets and the challenges affecting progress towards 2030. The lesson considers how governments, businesses and individuals influence sustainable development through policy, purchasing decisions, public pressure and everyday choices. Although the examples are global, the ideas provide important context for environmental sustainability in early years practice. The lesson closes by emphasising that a sustainable future depends on using existing knowledge and technology collectively, consistently and with the next generation in mind. Read the related CMS Vocational Training guide: https://cmsvoc.co.uk/blog/what-is-dev... Chapters 00:00 What Sustainable Development Means 01:06 Environmental Pressures: Energy, Food and Cities 02:39 The Social and Economic Dimensions 03:47 The Sustainable Development Goals 04:47 Progress, Setbacks and the 2030 Challenge 05:24 The Role of Individuals and Communities 05:57 Choosing a Sustainable Future