The concept of sustainable development has been
evolving for more than 30 years. The 1972 United Nations (UN) Conference on the
Human Environment in
In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development, chaired by
the Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland, issued a report entitled Our Common Future. Also known as the Brundtland Report, this landmark document suggests
that creating separately existing environmental institutions is not enough
because environmental issues are an integral part of all development policies. They
are crucial to economic considerations and sector policies and should be
integrated as part of energy decisions, social issues, and other aspects of development
work.
The next milestone in the evolution of sustainable development occurred
at the 1992 UN Conference of Environment and Development in
Most importantly, the Earth Summit helped finalize the UN Climate Change
Convention and the Biodiversity Convention, both signed by a great number of
heads of state. The UN Climate Change Convention and the recently ratified
Kyoto Protocol have made significant contributions to the evolution of
sustainable development. Article 4 of the UN Climate Change Convention provides
that “the Parties [to that Convention] have the right to, and should, promote
development.” The Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism is designed in
part to assist participating developing countries “in achieving sustainable
development.”
At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development held in
Peter P. Rogers. Kazi F. Jalal. John A .Boyd. An Introduction to Sustainable Development. Published by Glen Educational Foundation, Inc. EAR THSCAN.
2008.
COMPREHENSION
1. This text is about ...
a. The effects of sustainable development.
b. The evolution of sustainable development.
c. The disadvantages of sustainable development.
d. The advantages of sustainable development.
2. Complete the following
table with the events that correspond with the dates given below.
Date |
Event |
A.
1970 |
……………………………………………… |
B.
1972 |
……………………………………………… |
C.
1987 |
……………………………………………… |
D.
1992 |
……………………………………………… |
E.
2001 |
……………………………………………… |
3. One of the statements
below did not appear in the text. Read the statements carefully and cross out (x) the idea not mentioned.
r The Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development
Mechanism is designed in part to assist participating developing countries “in achieving
sustainable development.”
r The concept of sustainable development has
been evolving for more than 30 years.
r The UN Climate Change Convention and the
recently ratified Kyoto Protocol have made significant contributions to the evolution
of sustainable development.
r Article 4 of the UN Climate Change Convention provides
that “the Parties [to that Convention] have the right to, and should, promote
development.”
r The major contribution
of the UN Conference of Environment and Development
in
r Sustainable energy
includes solar energy, wind energy...
r The World Commission on Environment and Development
issued a report entitled Our Common Future.
r The
2. Decide if these
statements are true or false; then, justify your answer.
a. The concept of sustainable development is a
new one.
Truer Falser
………………………………………………...………………………………………………….………
b.
The World Commission on Environment and
Development was chaired by the ex-president of USA Bill Clinton.
Truer Falser
………………………………………………...………………………………………………….………
3. Answer the following questions
briefly, in your own words as far as possible.
a. Why was the United Nations Environment Programme Secretariat
established?
………………………………………………...………………………………………………….………
b. What did 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development held in
………………………………………………...………………………………………………….………
4. Tick the most
appropriate explanation of the word written in bold letters.
a)
The
concept of sustainable development has been evolving
for more than 30 years( paragraph 1,
Line 1)
r Developing
gradually.
r Making
something which is already bad worse.
r Demanding a lot of effort.
b)
This landmark
document suggests that creating separately existing environmental institutions
is not enough... ( paragraph 2, Line 3)
r A
narrow road in the countryside or in a town.
r An
important stage in something's development.
r An
idea, plan or action that is suggested or the act of suggesting it.
c)
The next milestone in the evolution of sustainable development
occurred at the 1992 UN Conference... ( paragraph 3, Line 1)
r An important event in the
development or history of something.
r A
single event or group of related events.
r An
occasion when two or more similar things happen at the same time, especially in
a way that is unlikely and surprising.
d) This is
an honour. ( paragraph 6, Line 1)
r Something that cause
people to feel that they have no value.
r A
quality that combines respect, being proud, and honesty.
r A
feeling of embarrassment and loss of people's respect, or when you experience
this.
e) They also decided to carry out a plethora
of partnerships to promote sustainable development. ( paragraph 4, Line 3)
r
(a) state of not having, or not having enough,
of something that is needed.
r An
amount or supply which is not large enough; a lack.
r A very
large amount of something.