“Sustainability” is a very vague word and can have different meanings to different people. For now, let us consider “sustainability,” to be the management of social, economic and environmental resources. The figure below illustrates the relationship between these three areas (Cato).
Sustainability focuses on preserving resources for future generations. The costs that are associated with sustainable programs in India (and around the world) include financial (measureable) and social (not measureable) costs. Both costs have short and long-term effects, which will affect how politicians make decisions.
Social Sustainability
Social sustainability describes a country’s foundation of insuring equitable outcomes (human rights, child labor laws, cooperate governance, etc.). This is a pillar of sustainability that India has properly and fully embraced. Since the country was born from colonialism rule, India has been steadfast in protecting the fundamental rights of all its citizens. From pro-India economic policies, to universal healthcare and child labor laws – India’s government has historically strived to protect the interests of the country (for better or for worse).
This form of sustainability will continue to evolve in the future. Even in the US, after 200 years of formal government, we still struggle with protecting the basic rights of our citizens (LGBTG, African American, immigrants, etc.). Empowering women is a primary area in which India currently promotes social sustainability. Future generations will be better off politically, health wise and morally as gender discrimination decreases throughout India. Universal education is another essential endowment for India to bequeath upon future generations. Improving education now will benefit future generations and these improvements will build on one another in the future. Basic investments in social needs can improve democracy, quality of life and equity.
Environmental Sustainability
From a broad perspective environmental sustainability includes management of natural resources, air quality and population. As of late, natural resources and forms of renewable energy seem to warrant the most attention. Primary forms of renewable energy we have discussed in class are: solar, hydro, wind and biomass. Each of these potential energy sources has advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, each form of renewable energy will differ in the benefits they provide to rural and urban populations. The potential for inequalities must be a primary concern.
From the availability of clean water/sanitation to the accessibility of renewable energy – there is much potential for inequalities to develop between urban and rural individuals. Since cities are areas with dense populations (there are 14 cities with more than one million people in India – India Census 2011), there are more possibilities to provide people with clean water. One project in an urban area could provide 50,000 people with clean water, whereas the same project in a rural area might only provide 1,000 people with clean water. Additionally, academics and policymakers must be mindful of rural citizens as they discuss sustainable policies. From our perspective (well off) it is easy to mandate sustainable farming policies. We have enough food/nutrition and can now demand that our food only be organic. For rural populations, however, fertilizers and exploiting groundwater are essential for farmers to feed their families. Individuals in this area are more concerned with eating than saving the environment. The same can be said with the conservation of forests. We know that deforestation will deplete the wood, but individuals living in the area are more concerned about cooking their food. This is a difficult paradox for policymakers as they strive to form policies that are sustainable in the long-term, yet, feasible in the short term.
Economic Sustainability
Economic sustainability pertains to how the economic structure of an economy will remain intact over time. This is a pillar that I believe has yet to be tested in India. I think, however, there is a relevant example in America that may be soon experienced in India soon. The price of healthcare in America is skyrocketing at an extraordinary rate. The government has created an environment for research and development by strictly enforcing patent laws. Therefore, companies will produce in America because they know they can be profitable (another company can not steal there idea). Pharmaceutical companies have developed many drugs that save countless lives. These drugs take millions of dollars of R&D to initially produce – afterwards, the cost of production is relatively low. Because these large companies own the patent, however, they can charge extraordinarily high prices for their drugs. India is the world’s largest producer of pharmaceutical drugs – but currently India’s challenge remains in providing basic health care to its citizens. The increased research and development in India could, however, lead to a similar problem as seen in the US. This dilemma could affect rural and urban citizens alike.
Policy
Politicians face the dilemma of needing votes while also wanting to craft optimal long-term policy. Often, long-term policy and short-term votes are not compatible. Forming policies within this context often produces inefficient outcomes. Politicians may give some money to one project and some money to another – but neither project gets enough. Additionally, politicians often give favorable policies to where their constituencies reside. Rural populations are more likely to vote than urban populations – so this may give perverse incentives to politicians.
Conclusion
We have seen the complexities of sustainability and the potential for inequality that arise from these complexities. Politicians face a tough paradox (long-term vs. short-term) while forming policies that must be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. India is in different stages with each area of sustainability, but all will be essential as India moves into the future.
Sources
Cato, SM. (2009). Green Economics. London: Earthscan, pp. 36-37. ISBN: 9781844075713
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