T

he relationship between humanity and the living world is very complex, and those complexities cannot be solved by using a single perspective. If in the previous way of thinking there was a partial and an arrogant approach (for example environmentalists or environmental lawyers used to think that it was only them who could solve environmental problem), this approach needs to change.

All the disciplinary approaches must cooperate to overcome those problems, since they are interdependent.

Environmentalists, economists, engineers, scientists, doctors, politicians, lawyers, religious leaders, formal/informal leaders and people in general must work together to solve such problems.

Such relationships cannot be established without mutual understanding, trust, appreciation and strong commitment. Based on our past experience, now is the time to establish a new generation with a broadened and holistic perspective in dealing with the problems of development and the environment.

It is important to create and sustain a global network of emerging young leaders in different countries to deal with issues of development and the environment.

Human resources become the priority of the program, because if human resources do not come first then development creates incompatibilities (Kottak, 1985). Achievements in human development must positively correlate to economic variables (Piel, 1992).

This human capital is actually a form of “genuine saving” and investment (Atkinson et.al., 1997)
and therefore will be beneficial in the future.

Water, air and soil pollution, climate change, deforestation and ozone depletion are all examples of environmental degradation. These problems have been occurring for a long time and threaten humanity and the future of the world. Hence, the increasing prevalence of the notion of sustainable development.

Sustainable development issues became internationally recognized after the Brundtland Commission presented Our Common Future (1987) to the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Since then, many environmental meetings, environmental agreements, protocols and organizations have been made.

In many cases, the main objective is to achieve development that meets the needs of present generations without neglecting the needs of future generations.

However, the problems in linking the environment and development are very large and complex.

Here, there is no single solution because developed countries and developing countries are in the middle of controversy to find appropriate solutions.

The North blames the South for environmental destruction, while the South condemns the North as the source of this disaster.

Clearly, like in casino games, there are winners and losers. In addition, almost every approach to sustainable development is implementing a monolithic perspective.

But these problems cannot be solved only with a narrow perspectives since the environment and development encounter many problems, and obstacles that entail polycentric matters.

To approach the environment and development only from economic studies, environmental studies, political science, law and so on is an approach that is out of date.

Therefore, we need to adopt a holistic approach by which economists, politicians, scientists, environmentalists, public servants, lawyers and all citizens work together to change unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.

If the previous approach to development has prioritized the benefit of business players without concern for environmental impacts, the new approach must consider the environmental aspects of development. Developers must include environmental costs into production.

In such a way there must be a green product scheme in which every product must be environmentally friendly. Legal instruments at any stage in relation to sustainable development must be consistently enforced at local, regional and international levels.

However, there are some obstacles to achieving sustainable development. Poverty is one of them.
If people still live under the poverty line, the issue of sustainable development remains too expensive
and idealistic.

People won’t pay appropriate attention to the environment while struggling just to survive.

The other obstacle is mentality. Many business players are reluctant to merge economic costs with environmental costs. This has become a great obstacle. Internalizing environmental costs into production will usually result in a a loss rather than a benefit, managers say.

There is an argument that there will be no development without environmental degradation. But if an environment is destroyed, there can be no economic activity.

In this regard, human resources are key. To create qualified human resources who are committed to sustainable development, we need not only some period of time, but also genuine endeavors.

This approach must be applied at all level of society, from the public and private sectors to the corporate world, media, academia, NGOs and research institutions. Again, human resources are the key to drive human progress.

Any technical infrastructure, legal instruments, conventions and skills will be useless without adequate human resources. A new generation must be prepared.

The writer, a Jakarta-based lawyer, is teaching and conducting research at the School of Law, Gakushuin University, Japan. He is also a fellow at the Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Program based in London. The views expressed are personal.