The idea of sustainable development has taken hold in the environmental and development fields. Part of its appeal is its win-win solution. In 1983, the UN created the World Commission on Environment and Development , headed by Gro Harlem Brundtland, then Prime Minister of Norway. In 1987, the work was published as Our Common Future .
Poverty encourages people to misuse environment and resources.
Debt crisis, particularly in Latin America, reduces economic growth. Need to sustain 5 per cent per annum growth to alleviate poverty. Also requires redistributive policies to distribute incomes more fairly. Changing the Quality of Growth Growth must be less material and energy intensive and more equitable v 3. Meeting essential needs for jobs, food, energy, water, and sanitation Satisfaction of human needs and aspirations central to the idea of sustainable development v 4.