Sustainable Development: A Global Challenge for 2050

Sustainable development is an issue of fundamental importance that all local and national governments must consider. Majority of experts across the world agree that the current development has not yet achieved the required level of sustainability (Carley & Christie, 2017). Some have gone ahead to suggest that, unless significant and appropriate actions are taken, two world's worth of resources will be needed to support the global population by 2050. In this sense, therefore, humanity is facing its turning point. To meet our objectives for sustainable development, humanity can no longer delay in engaging, motivating as well as inspiring its citizens. Learning and communication for sustainability will make sustainable development a reality and which will help communicate the three dimensions of sustainability, which include the social, economic, and environmental aspects. Communication and learning form major critical tools that will make sustainable development and the concept of sustainability a reality (Ekins, 2002). Therefore, individuals, organizations, and governments need to transform their thoughts and actions. Such changes cannot happen automatically, but through motivation promotion, and discussion that is centered on the three pillars of sustainability, which include environmental protection, economic development, and social progress (Carley & Christie, 2017). This paper will, therefore, critically analyses the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of sustainability in Communication and learning for sustainability.

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Sustainability Dimensions

At its best, communication plays a vital role in enhancing sustainability. It informs and instills inspiration to individuals and the organization. Communication can accomplish a lasting and meaningful transformation. As such, it is essential for communication to form an integral component of the initiatives towards sustainable development. The use of media has helped to increase public awareness and concerns about the environmental and social matters (Carley & Christie, 2017). The world has become highly transparent due to the mass media and the rise of new information technologies. The effects of the consumption patterns of humanity are no longer vague or invisible. Humanity, through media, has begun to have a better understanding of the impacts they are posing on the planet earth, in addition to the responsibility to look at it. The use of media has therefore facilitated public communication, which has further been instrumental in establishing itself on the emerging trends and thus making the sustainable development an understandable. The society that is informed, motivated, and committed can assist in determining the achievement to the sustainability goals (Carley & Christie, 2017). This means that effective communication of the sustainable lifestyle is a challenge. Therefore, communicating about sustainability while focusing on the three pillars that include environmental protection, economic development, and social progress is crucial. The success factors of communication and a part of learning for sustainability include the content, messenger, the media choice, and the tone.

Communication of Climate Change issue in the United States

The climate change has become a significant issue not only to the United States but to the entire globe. The media outlets have been used to focus on climate change through centering in the areas where the real effects of climate change generally have become tangible. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) describes a state of global civil war driven by the environmental causes that range from the energy crises and food shortage to natural disasters.

Economic Dimension

The media has been used to communicate about the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability regarding climate change. It is estimated that by 2050, between $66 billion and $106 billion worth of the existing coastal property nationwide will likely to be submerged. As a result of the temperature increase, the labor productivity of the outdoor employees have reduced (Carley & Christie, 2017). In recent times, some states within the Southeast part of the US and the lower Great grains have risked losing nearly 50-70 percent of their annual crop yields. The use of media has therefore helped to communicate about these impacts, in addition to shaping the actions and thoughts of individuals and organization towards climate change (Vezzoli & Manzini, 2008). Companies have been encouraged to develop a clear vision to aim at educating, influencing, and inspiring their audiences on sustainability.

Environmental Dimension

The environmental dimension of sustainability integrates commercial human activities, especially those that involve a considerable number of people nearly invariably through an association with the environment. Therefore, the effects that are assessed in the environmental dimension primarily consist of negative externalities. Climate change poses serious environmental effects. The rise atmospheric temperatures have led to an increase in the pest and disease incidences leading to a decrease in agricultural productivity and food security. It has further caused the variability in rainfall patterns. The use of media as a tool of communication has helped increase public awareness and learning about the impact of climate change as well as the overall concept of sustainable development (Vezzoli & Manzini, 2008).

Social Dimension

The social dimension focuses on the relationship between the social and environmental issues at the international, national, and local levels. This dimension further explores the social impacts of the processes of economic and environmental change, in addition to how individuals and communities organize and mobilize collaboratively to promote their well-being while at the same time embracing the environmental protection (Carley & Christie, 2017). The use of media has enhanced this achievement. It has further increased the public awareness about the social effects of climate change, such as the rise in the pest and disease incidences leading to health issues.

Conclusion

In sum, communication and learning from major critical tools that will make sustainable development and the concept of sustainability a reality. It requires individuals, organizations, and governments to transform their thoughts and actions towards sustainability. The use of media has facilitated communication and learning for sustainability, especially regarding some of the current environmental issues such as climate change. Media has proven instrumental in establishing itself on the emerging trends and giving valuable insights regarding sustainable development and its understandability. An informed, motivated, and committed is critical as it can assist establish the achievement to sustainability goals.

References

Carley, M., & Christie, I. (2017). Managing sustainable development. Routledge.

Ekins, P. (2002). Economic growth and environmental sustainability: the prospects for green growth. Routledge.

Vezzoli, C., & Manzini, E. (2008). Design for Environmental Sustainability. London: Springer-Verlag