Development has often tended to focus mainly on the economic dimension (growth), as if development is by a nature an entirely economic issue. Development however is multidimensional /multi-sectoral and must, thus, address economic, social, political, moral, environmental, and many other issues, both in the short and long terms. Development can only appropriately address issues that affect us, especially in the long-run, if it is sustainable, hence, “sustainable development”. The sustainability philosophy/worldview should mould our attitudes and inform our conduct as both development agents and recipients of the fruits of development. The way we handle and our attitude towards the environment highly impact on the sustainability of our development initiatives, for besides nature being an indispensable (but destructible) resource for development, any development activity takes place within the environment and, thus, the quality of the environment within which development takes place does in turn affect the quality of the fruits of development. Development studies would, therefore, be rather ‘half-baked,’ if they lacked the component of the ethics of the environment and sustainable development.
This course will explain the concept of the environment and role of the environment in development; it will analyze the state of the environment and the various environmental traditions, ethical theories, and attitudes of people towards the environment; it will handle the concept of sustainable development and the various associated theories, values, and strategies, as well as the challenges one is likely to grapple with on the road to sustainable development in a given sector or life. The role of sustainable living (and livelihood) will be emphasized.
- Teacher: Estellina Namutebi