The concept of sustainable development has evolved significantly since its popularization in the 1987 Brundtland Report. Initially, it focused primarily on balancing economic growth with environmental protection. However, contemporary scholarship emphasizes a more holistic approach, integrating social equity and intergenerational justice. Critics argue that early frameworks were too anthropocentric, prioritizing human needs over ecological integrity. Recent studies advocate for a 'strong sustainability' model, which posits that natural capital and manufactured capital are not interchangeable. This perspective asserts that certain ecosystem services, such as biodiversity and climate regulation, have no technological substitutes and must be preserved independently. Consequently, policy-making has shifted from mere mitigation of environmental damage to proactive restoration and resilience-building. Yet, implementation remains challenging due to conflicting economic interests and varying national priorities, highlighting the need for global governance reforms.
❓ According to the passage, what is a key difference between the early and contemporary views of sustainable development?
A. A. Early views ignored economic growth, while contemporary views prioritize it.
B. B. Contemporary views integrate social equity and intergenerational justice, unlike early views.
C. C. Early views were based on 'strong sustainability', while contemporary views reject it.
D. D. Contemporary views focus solely on environmental protection, whereas early views did not.
✅ 正确答案
B. Contemporary views integrate social equity and intergenerational justice, unlike early views.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first