What are the Challenges for Sustainability?

What prevents you from leading a more sustainable life?

Sustainable living also depends on our living conditions. In some parts of the world, people's basic needs are not always met which creates a challenge for sustainability.

Complete the Challenges for Sustainability worksheet as you read about the challenges for sustainability and watch the accompanying videos. What possible solutions do we have?

Challenges

Solutions

DECLINE IN RURAL POPULATIONS

More and more people are moving from rural areas to urban areas

Employment opportunities decrease

Social interactions decrease

Access to important services, like healthcare, decrease

INCREASE IN URBAN POPULATIONS

In 2012, there were almost 1 billion people living in the slums because proper housing was too expensive

Slums are overcrowded

Housing is made of cheap material

Access to clean water, proper sanitation, or electricity can be limited

Minimal educational opportunities

Minimal job opportunities

INCREASING DEMAND FOR RESOURCES

Forests are vulnerable near growing settlements because of urban sprawl and the need to create farmland

Farmers cut down or burn trees so they can use the soil for farming

Some countries need to make money by extracting fossil fuels

Coal is an inexpensive energy source, which causes a lot of pollution

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS

Traditionally poor countries are increasing their wealth

With wealth, people have money to buys cars, which will significantly increase the amount of cars on the road

By 2026, we expect 37% of India's population may have enough money to buy a car, which is 1/2 billion people!

More people can afford to buy meat