Sustainable Environment: Key to Global Well-Being and Wealth - Research Paper

Introduction

Environmental sustainability is centered on the general well-being of individuals and their interface with the natural environment. It focuses on the environmental, social and economic benefits and costs of the natural environment against the alternate of more sustainable options. Failure to act on that, there will be a growing level of uncertainty and dangerous emission of air from transport, industries and more. Around the world, nature represents a third of the wealth of developing countries because it supports the well-being of generations. The paper will discuss in detail the global relevance of environmental sustainability and also demonstrate how it relates to civil affairs teams in South Africa

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Since the advent of democracy in South Africa, there has been an emphasis on environmental sustainability. There are measures and policies in place, which ensure that there is an equation in sustainable production and the aim of this is to improve environmental performance. According to research done by Spenceley (2005), the focus has been on many sectors, for example, agriculture, economic, tourism, transport, energy, industry, to mention but a few. It has been noted that in South Africa and elsewhere, environmental sustainability addresses the demand side, by looking at the equation of consumption and production of goods as well as improving the quality of life. It ensures that food, health, mobility, and leisure are delivered in ways that reduce the burden on the earth's carrying capacity. South Africa in particular, began embracing environmental sustainability since 1994 by planting trees and seeds for the emergence of an inclusive society and assisting millions of people to access education, social health services, and also increasing the number of people employed (Spenceley, 2005).

Despite the mainstream western ethics, South Africa has recognized the significance of environmental ethics. The independence and interconnectedness of all beings are more than the human world. Therefore, to objectify a moral concern, intelligence, rationality, and language are all integrated through different beings to attain a mental capacity on the need to protect the environment (Kotze, 2007). The unity of all people established a moral attitude towards the natural environment as well as its human and non-human components. South Africa is increasingly setting up platforms, which could help to marginalize educational establishments and policymakers to contribute to environmental sustainability and human well-being (Kotze, 2007). In the same parallel, the need for environmental sustainability is a requirement for all countries globally; this means that there is a need for improvements. To achieve this, it is important to consider incorporating multidisciplinary approaches and cooperation of all nations. Since environmental ethics are entrenched by South Africa civil teams, other countries should support the approach and identify elements that can enable humanity and save the earth from its inhabitants.

Furthermore, the constitution of South Africa provides a comprehensive environmental right. The country has a supreme law, which interprets environmental law as the capacity and roles that are embedded to the citizens to protect the environment and give effect to the principle of sustainable development. Kotze, (2007) asserted that protection of the environment gives the people a privilege to enjoy other rights that are vital to life itself. All people are mandated to protect the environment because of its benefits in the present and future generations. However, it is the responsibility of the court to ensure that the environment is protected. Also, interpretation of environmental rights ultimately requires a balance between the environmental, social and economic interests. Sustainability is a fundamental component that helps to develop a country, especially where poverty is high and harmful social consequences such as the Apartheid policies, which still pervades the economic development and empowerment of people. Sometimes, this is detrimental to the natural and social environment. Notably, the nature in which the judiciary is determined to protect the environment will ensure that South Africa will succeed in its quest for environmental sustainability.

The inclusion of environmental rights in the constitution implies that people can assert their rights at the highest constitutional level to an extent that they will have their environmental protection. South African citizens have a right to promote environmental conservation and also secure ecologically sustainable development by promoting justifiable economic and social development. As far as protection of the environment is concerned, the state also allows the measures of development, which control industrial pollution. Given that the quality of air and climate change are measure in terms of the effects of human health, lack of control on industrial pollution will give detrimental effects on the ecosystem (Kotze, 2007). Human beings are, therefore, a major stakeholder in governance efforts who should ensure that there is environmental protection. The South African courts also have powers to take actions on industries that release of chemicals and other pollutants. The degree of pollution is not acceptable or tolerated even if it is a developing country; it does this to protect the health and well-being of the people. At the same time, the state is taking reasonable measures that comply with the requirements of the constitution and they are realistic in both conception and implementation.

South Africa has also developed water and resource policy (Odume & De Wet, 2016). The government promotes environmental ethics in socio-ecological systems and water resource management to address nature complex situations. Human beings are integral components of the socio-ecological systems in that they have far-reaching powers to directly impact on the system's functioning. Humans, therefore, have a responsibility to the broader environment to protect the species as well as personal and social welfare. The nature that is interconnected is the domain of environmental ethics. In this case, human beings have the responsibility to protect specific groups of aquatic animals and the existence of several dams in the system. In as much as human beings ascribe the virtue of environmental ethics, the behavior and attitudes towards creating a sustainable environment are augmented. An ethical human practice will reflect on how the South Africans value their environment and the group of other species that are constituted in the natural environment (Odume & De Wet, 2016). In proving human rights and ecological basis for managing the natural environment, the reserve for human beings it to serve social and environmental justice. The environment has no intrinsic value of its own; it requires respect and protection. Institutional governance domain and environmental ethics are interconnected to each other, they should not be in isolation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, South Africa has done well in sustainable development by involving the civil teams to ensure that the environment is respected and protected. Environmental ethics have reduced stress on environmental systems and natural resources and this contributes to economic growth and developmental strategies. South Africa continues to develop policies, which redefine strategic means that contribute to the understanding and achievement of sustainable development.

References

Kotze, L. J. (2007). The judiciary, the environmental right and the quest for sustainability in South Africa: A critical reflection. Review of European Community & International Environmental Law, 16(3), 298-311. http://www.academia.edu/download/43581913/Kotze_LJ__The_judiciary__environmental_right_and_the_quest_for_sustainability_in_South_Africa.pdf

Odume, O. N., & De Wet, C. (2016). The role of environmental ethics in social-ecological systems and water resource management (No. 2342/1, p. 16). WRC report. http://www.wrc.org.za/wp-content/uploads/mdocs/2342-1-151.pdf

Spenceley, A. (2005). Nature-based tourism and environmental sustainability in South Africa. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 13(2), 136-170. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.1034.3434&rep=rep1&type=pdf