Why is the issue of sustainability important for development?
The issue of sustainability is crucial because we would certainly like the current level of development to go up further or at least be maintained for future generations. As the text highlights, "We have not inherited the world from our forefathers — we have borrowed it from our children."
However, scientists have warned that the present type and levels of development are not sustainable. For instance, if people continue to extract crude oil at the present rate, the reserves would last only 50 years more. Without sustainable resources, development cannot continue.
Additionally, the consequences of environmental degradation do not respect national or state boundaries. Since our future is linked together, development must be sustainable to prevent global harm.
Explanation
The answer draws directly from the 'Sustainability of Development' section of the provided text. It incorporates the key quote regarding borrowing the world from children to emphasize the ethical dimension of inter-generational equity. It uses the specific example of crude oil reserves lasting only 50 years to illustrate the finite nature of resources. Finally, it touches upon the global nature of environmental consequences to explain why sustainability is a shared, important concern for development.