雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'sustainable development' has evolved significantly since its popularization in the 1987 Brundtland Report. Initially, it emphasized the balance between economic growth and environmental protection for future generations. However, recent scholarly critiques argue that this framework often prioritizes economic metrics over ecological integrity, leading to 'weak sustainability' where natural capital can be depleted if replaced by man-made capital. In contrast, 'strong sustainability' posits that certain natural resources are non-substitutable and must be preserved independently. This debate has practical implications for policy-making, particularly in developing nations where economic pressures may overshadow long-term environmental goals. A growing body of literature suggests that integrating indigenous knowledge systems with scientific approaches could offer more holistic solutions, yet institutional barriers remain significant. Thus, while the term 'sustainability' is ubiquitous, its operationalization remains contested and context-dependent.