For decades, we have used Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the ultimate yardstick for progress, but can a single number truly capture the complexity of human survival and well-being?
This research explores the three fundamental pillars of a sustainable society—the economic, the ecological, and the human—and examines how they must interact to create a future that is both equitable and viable.
By employing a conceptual framework that breaks down human needs into biological, social, and spiritual dimensions, the author critiques the narrow focus of traditional economic growth models.
The study argues that measuring development purely through financial output, without quantifying the long-term benefits of environmental protection, is an outdated and unacceptable approach to sustainability.
Ultimately, the investigation concludes that the “human component” is the heart of the equation; true sustainable evolution requires a deep commitment to equity, acknowledging that economic activity exists solely to serve the diverse and profound needs of people within a healthy natural environment.
Learn more about this study here: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-5671(15)00849-7
Reference
Duran, D. C., Gogan, L. M., Artene, A., & Duran, V. (2015). The Components of Sustainable Development—A Possible Approach. 4th World Conference on Business, Economics and Management (WCBEM-2015), 26, 806–811