The Economist

 

End of the road 

The Economist; London Vol. 452, Iss. 9415,   

(Sep 21, 2024): 64, 65, 66. 

 

As defined by the World Bank “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT recognizes that growth must be both inclusive and environmentally sound to reduce poverty and build shared prosperity for today’s population and to continue to meet the needs of future generations. Sustainable development is a tremendously critical issue that must be addressed by those in authority for all world citizens.  

 

A worldwide plan for Sustainable development would be an all-encompassing infrastructure that all actors on the world stage must participate in for there to be any type of establishment and success. There is no other way to look at it in my humble opinion. The United Nations along with The World Bank and many other organizations and entities are working in collaboration to establish an overhaul of these issues and reestablish innovative, solid and sustainable changes to their plans.

The World Bank uses their three pillars:  

• economic growth 

• environmental stewardship 

• social inclusion 

In real people talk that means (notice the different order of things):  

1. Environmental sustainability = Protecting the planet's natural resources and ecosystems. 
2. Social sustainability = Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilling life with access to basic needs like food, water, shelter, and healthcare. 
3. Economic sustainability = Promoting economic growth that is fair and equitable, while also minimizing environmental impact. 

The average person living in the United States, whether as a resident/citizen or “visitor” living here indefinitely does not prioritize even their own sustainability starting with economic strategies. Most people in the U.S. in today’s age are more concerned with their “Social Sustainability” and their “Environmental Sustainability.” I guess if I were an economist my next words would be something like ... “ therein lies the problem with the American attitude regarding the topic of Sustainability.” The thing is that sustainability in and of itself has become a commodity rather than a standard. The mentality of the American people has shifted over the years from sustainability to survival. As our country's economy has shifted with the emptying out of American factories in exchange for filling factories overseas. 

Based on a survey done by Boston Consulting Group (a Boston-based global consulting firm that partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities) of North American manufacturing executives and an analysis of global trade patterns, the report titled Harnessing the Tectonic Shifts in Global Manufacturing underscores the magnitude of these shifts and reveals that more than 90% of manufacturing companies in the region have moved at least some of their production or supply chains in the past five years. And these companies are employing people in Mexico, India, Southeast Asia, Turkey, and Morocco. This said, the report shows that only 55% of companies that have made the leap over seas have achieved the goals that plucked them from the American based economy. 

 

The United Nations has outlined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide global efforts towards a more sustainable future. These goals cover a wide range of issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation, and infrastructure, reduced inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, life on land, peace, justice, and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.    

The truth of the matter is that we have outlived the times when the wealth of a country no longer influences its economic growth. Naturally, this leads to challenges in development aid and basic health interventions. How can a people subsist if they are constantly concerned about survival? It is up to the “powers that be” to find solutions that work and that can be established in collaboration with the sustainable development systems that IGOs and NGOs have been working to figure out and resolve.  

 

Want to talk details? Let’s look at the report from BCG... 

 

 

Another is that is covered in the article End of the Road is the impact of economic growth on aid funding, the challenges in combating infectious diseases in developing countries, and the lack of innovative ideas for stimulating growth in poor regions. We understand how complex these responsibilities are and knowing the process makes me more confident in hope for a future where people, worldwide, are able to have a simple glass of clean water, a nutritious meal, an education that can uplift the poor to be the leaders and policy analysts and makers of the future. 

 

What makes you more hopeful? 

 

Let’s tawk ...