Dr Monika Koul
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Our Common Future, 1987
Development is important but rampant growth and focus on it has resulted in a crisis and that has taken an unprecedented turn. If there is no rethinking in the way development is taking place, we will soon land up in a mess. We should understand that natural systems show resilience only to a point but once that thin line is crossed, nature responds by causing catastrophe. Let us not forget the tragedy that struck Uttrakhand Hills when it witnessed the worst natural disaster a few years back. Nature once again reiterated that development without a proper thought and development that is unsustainable is an evil. Sustainable development is the only way to proceed and progress and every nation, country, state, institution, organization and individual must adopt sustainable development models to persist or perish!
Sustainable development and concept of sustainability have been put forward and discussed on many platforms, conferences, treaties and workshops. The term has been overemphasized without looking at it in a perspective, that it started losing its essence. Politicians, economists and policy makers have been creating a lot of hype by talking about this particular concept, but if we look at the ground level after almost 30 years of adoption of the term, we are still pondering whether it can be achieved or not. Ecological and environmental problems are on the rise leading to depletion of natural resources such as ground water, forests, vegetation and soil. So what is the way forward? If policymakers have failed us, who can take charge and make sense of the term and make sustainable development a reality and not hype. The answer is Science. It is the science and science only that can help us achieve the goals set and roll the wheels in the direction of much talked about sustainable development pathway. That is why the theme set for 2018 National Science Day to be celebrated on February 28 in our country is Science and sustainable development. The day commemorates the contribution of the most celebrated and revered Indian Scientist, Sir C.V. Raman and his discovery of Raman Effect.
Science, as we all understand is a pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the phenomena occurring in nature, explaining the principles and processes that are responsible for a particular phenomenon and application of this knowledge for human welfare. Science for sustainable development requires a broad understanding of Science in a perspective, which covers the whole range of disciplines from natural sciences to engineering to social sciences and the humanities. Scientific knowledge leads to applications and here comes its role in development. Novel innovations in science have led to development of technologies that are sustainable and cause minimum damage to environment. Science has created solutions for energy crisis by finding use of non-conventional energy sources such as solar, geothermal and tidal energy that is almost carbon neutral. Scientific research has led to innovative bioremediation technologies such as use of living organisms or their parts, chemicals or metabolites to degrade the waste generated on account of anthropogenic activities. It is the science that is providing solutions for restoring the degraded environments and tackle complex issues.
Science is universal and has no boundaries. Research carried in science in any part of the world has benefited humanity all over. Sustainable green technology that has been developed in Europe is finding application in India. Policies and strategies are more likely to succeed if they are based on science. So, policymakers and researchers will have to work together for developing sustainable solutions. National Science Day 2018 is the way forward to think and suggest that development will only be on the right path if sustainability is its essence. It should be our common endeavour to use science and scientific expertise for achieving the goals set decades back and leave the resources in a healthy state for future generations and Science can do it! With a positive note: Happy National Science Day: Sustainability the Scientific Way!
(The author is a faculty Hansraj College, University of Delhi)
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