What is a key objective of sustainable development?

The key objective of sustainable development is to ensure a healthy environment for future generations. This concept revolves around meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development emphasizes a balance between economic growth, environmental health, and social well-being. By prioritizing a healthy environment, it promotes practices that protect ecosystems, conserve resources, and address issues such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. This holistic approach is essential for fostering a sustainable world, where both current and future inhabitants can thrive.

Other responses focus on immediate benefits or maintaining current systems without considering their long-term impact. For example, maximizing short-term profits and increasing shareholder value exclusively often lead to exploitation of resources, resulting in environmental degradation. Similarly, maintaining the status quo does not address the pressing challenges our planet faces today, such as climate change and resource depletion, and can hinder progress towards a sustainable future.