1. 1
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS A TOOL FOR PEACE1
Fernando Alcoforado2
ABSTRACT
This article aims to demonstrate that sustainable development is a requirement for the
survival of humanity that is faced with two major threats. One of them, of an economic
nature, is represented by the general crisis of the world capitalist system that tends to
drive the world economy to depression. Another threat, environmental, is represented
by the increase of population, the depletion of the planet's natural resources, the scarcity
of water, the overcrowded cities and the catastrophic global climate change during the
twenty-first century. All these threats can generate internal conflicts in each country and
international conflicts. To prevent these threats, it´s necessary to enable the
implementation of a sustainable society in each country and worldwide that is one that
meets the needs of the present generation without diminishing the chances of future
generations to meet them and thus contribute to building peace in each country and at
the global level.
Keywords: Sustainable development. Threats to the survival of humanity. The threat of
global economic crisis. The environmental threat of increase in global population, the
depletion of the planet's natural resources, the shortage of water in the world, the
overcrowded cities and global climate change. The environmental responsibility of
Governments, companies and Individuals. The construction of peace in each country
and worldwide.
1. Introduction
Sustainable development is a requirement for the survival of humanity because the era
in which we live, mankind is faced with two major threats. One of them, of an economic
nature, is represented by the general crisis of the world capitalist system that tends to
drive the world economy to depression with the failure of governments, business
bankruptcies, mass unemployment and even a new world conflagration as happened in
the twentieth century with the 1st and 2nd World War. Another threat, environmental, is
1
Lecture delivered at the Conference of Rotary International District 2013 - D4550 on May 31 at the
House of Commerce in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
2
Alcoforado, Fernando, engineer and doctor of Territorial Planning and Regional Development from the
University of Barcelona, a university professor and consultant in strategic planning, business planning,
regional planning and planning of energy systems, is the author of Globalização (Editora Nobel, São
Paulo, 1997), De Collor a FHC- O Brasil e a Nova (Des)ordem Mundial (Editora Nobel, São Paulo,
1998), Um Projeto para o Brasil (Editora Nobel, São Paulo, 2000), Os condicionantes do
desenvolvimento do Estado da Bahia (Tese de doutorado. Universidade de Barcelona,
http://www.tesisenred.net/handle/10803/1944, 2003), Globalização e Desenvolvimento (Editora Nobel,
São Paulo, 2006), Bahia- Desenvolvimento do Século XVI ao Século XX e Objetivos Estratégicos na Era
Contemporânea (EGBA, Salvador, 2008), The Necessary Conditions of the Economic and Social
Development-The Case of the State of Bahia (VDM Verlag Dr. Muller Aktiengesellschaft & Co. KG,
Saarbrücken, Germany, 2010), Aquecimento Global e Catástrofe Planetária (P&A Gráfica e Editora,
Salvador, 2010), Amazônia Sustentável- Para o progresso do Brasil e combate ao aquecimento global
(Viena- Editora e Gráfica, Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo, São Paulo, 2011) and Os Fatores Condicionantes do
Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (Editora CRV, Curitiba, 2012), among others.

2. 2
represented by the uncontrolled increase of the planetary population, the depletion of
the planet's natural resources, the scarcity of water, the overcrowded cities and the
catastrophic global climate change during the twenty-first century that tends to have
serious repercussions on economic activities and increased social problems of mankind.
All these threats can generate internal conflicts in each country and also international
conflicts. To prevent these threats, it´s necessary to enable the implementation of a
sustainable society on a global scale that is one that meets the needs of the present
generation without diminishing the chances of future generations to meet them and thus
contribute to the construction of world peace. To accomplish this, it´s necessary to
enable sustainable development on a global scale with the responsible actions of
governments, companies and individuals, decisive for building world peace.
2. The threat of global economic crisis
Eric Hobsbawm (great British historian who died in 2012) states that again, we are
facing a fundamental crisis of capitalism as occurred in 1873 and 1929. The economists
of neoliberal ideology believed that the free market would have a maximum economic
growth, but also provide a welfare maximum for the whole population and that always
rationally solve the problems that it creates. It seems unbelievable today, but it is a fact
that neoliberal economists believed this for over 30 years (HOBSBAWM, Eric. En la
tercera crisis. Interview Eric J. Hobsbawm. Magazine "El Viejo Topo" available on the
website <www.elviejotopo . to> 2009).
With the outbreak of the crisis in 2008, the governments of capitalist countries had to
intervene as the 1930s of the twentieth century, which at the time did not have
immediate success, but do not know how to save the system of generalized economic
debacle is ongoing. According to Hobsbawm, to be a shift towards a new world
economy, it will take much time. Macabre, in the 1930s of the twentieth century, there
was already a program for the solution of the crisis: the preparation of war. The global
economic crisis which was installed in 1929 only ended with the outbreak of the 2nd
World War. Today, humanity will have to face a new world conflagration to save the
world capitalist system? This conflagration could begin in the Middle East with the
military intervention of the Western powers in Syria or Iran?
Nouriel Roubini says that global growth is at risk after 2013. A "perfect storm" of
budget woes in the U.S. economic, slowdown in China, European debt restructuring and
stagnation in Japan may combine to affect the world economy from 2013. As for China,
Roubini believes that the country may face a "hard landing" in two years because the
Chinese investment now accounts for almost 50 percent of gross domestic product and
sixty years of data show that overinvestment panoramas have always led the “landings”
sudden the economy, as happened in the former Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s
and in East Asia in the 1990s [BLOG PEDLOWSKI. Mundo poderá viver em 2013
“tempestade global” pior que 2008 (World could live in 2013 "global storm" worse
than in 2008, says Roubini) posted on the website <http://
pedlowski.blogspot.com.br/2012/07/nouriel-roubini-o-unico-que-previu.html>].

3. 3
Figure 1 below shows that the major economies of the world will have decline in GDP
from 1980 to 2010 tended to stagnate. With the exception of China, the GDP of other
countries shows decline or economic stagnation. The world economy moves swiftly to
depression because the United States, European Union and China have today economic
performance that puts into question the global economic recovery. Besides the profound
crisis affecting the European Union, the United States did not show signs of recovery
with high unemployment that is occurring there and China shows signs of economic
slowing.
Figure 1 - Evolution of the GDP of the world's major economies
Source: IMF
The current crisis is worse than that of 1929-1933, because it is absolutely global. The
international financial system no longer works. One indisputable fact is that the
Washington Consensus has died and depression that will last for many years. There is
no turning back for the absolute market that ruled the world economy in the last 40
years, since the 1970s, according to Hobsbawm. The global crisis that began in 2008 is
for the market economy, which was equivalent to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

4. 4
Furthermore, this depression can lead, according to Hobsbawm, a new world system.
We have to redesign everything into the future.
3. The threat of environmental crisis
The threat of environmental crisis is represented by the uncontrolled increase of the
world population, the depletion of the planet's natural resources, the scarcity of water,
the overcrowded cities and the catastrophic global climate change during the twenty-
first century.
3.1-The uncontrolled increase of the world population
After 200 years of economic growth and development, brought about by the Industrial
Revolution, the world population has increased significantly with the reduction of
mortality rates and growth in life expectancy. Today, on average, people live longer and
better. Between 1800 and 2010 the world population increased approximately seven-
fold (from 1 billion to 7 billion inhabitants- Figure 2) and between 1750 and 2010 the
economy (GDP) increased by about 112 times (Figure 3). The average consumption of
mankind shot, but the growth in wealth took place at the cost of depletion of natural
resources of the planet.
Figure 2 - Evolution of world population
Source: UN

5. 5
Figure 3 - Growth of world GDP
A good way to measure the impact of human beings on the planet Earth is the
ecological footprint which is a methodology used to measure the amounts of land and
water (in terms of global hectares - gha) that would be needed to sustain the population's
consumption. The ecological footprint is a calculation that every person, every country
and ultimately the world population consume natural resources. It is measured in
hectares, and six categories are evaluated: land for cultivation, pastures, forest, fishing
areas, demands carbon and land for the construction of buildings.
Whereas five types of surface (cultivated areas, pastures, forest, fishing areas and built-
up areas), planet Earth has about 13.4 billion global hectares (gha) of biologically
productive land and water according to the 2010 Global Footprint Network and the
ecological footprint of humanity peaked at 2.7 global hectares (gha) per person in 2007
for a world population of 6.7 billion people on the same date (according to the UN)
[View Article of José Eustáquio Diniz Alves A terra no limite (The land on the edge)
available on the website <http://planetasustentavel.abril.com.br/noticia/ambiente/terra-
limite-humanidade-recursos-naturais-planeta-situacao-sustentavel-637804.shtml>.].
With humanity's ecological footprint of 2.7 global hectares (gha) per person means that
to sustain the population on Earth 6.7 billion inhabitants would take 18.1 billion gha
(2.7 x 6.7 gha billion inhabitants) which is more than 13.4 billion global hectares (gha)
of biologically productive land and water of the Earth, a fact that indicates that already
exceeded the regenerative capacity of the planet in the average level of current world

6. 6
consumption. Today, due to the current rate of consumption, the demand for natural
resources exceeds 50% spare capacity of the Earth.
If this escalating demand continue at the current pace in 2030, with a global population
estimated at 8.3 billion people, will need two Earths to satisfy it. What is the outlook for
the near future? According to data from the UN Population Division, by 2050 the world
population will reach 8 billion people in low projection, 9 billion, the average
projection, and 10 billion in the high projection. More likely is that the Earth will have
more than 2 billion people in the next thirty-seven years making it impractical to
maintain the standards of current production and consumption of the world population.
One of the key issues that should consider is how many people the Earth can support?
Related to this question comes up about what else would be exactly the limit of human
population growth? Does water shortages, food shortages, pollution levels or other
factors that limit the growth of the world population? After considering all possible
constraints, it can be concluded that the food supply will determine the growth of the
world population.
In the publication of Our Common Future World Commission on Environment and
Development (Editora da Fundação Getúlio Vargas, 1991), some researchers have
established the potential "theoretical" global food production. For them, the area
devoted to cultivation of food would be about 1.5 billion hectares (close to the current
level) and average productivity could reach five tons of grain equivalent per hectare, ie
two and half times compared the current productivity.
Taking into account the production areas designed to pasture and marine sources, the
"potential" full stands at eight tons of grain equivalent. The overall average current
consumption of energy vegetable food, feed and animal feed is about 6000 calories per
day, varying between a minimum of 3000 and a maximum of 15 000 between countries,
depending on the levels of meat consumption. Taking the average of consumption based
on the production potential of the world's food could sustain just over 11 billion people.
It is noteworthy that, after 2050, the world population will exceed 10 billion people.
With a population of over 10 billion people, the planet Earth could not resist such
demands on natural resources. If the average consumption of food increase, for
example, 9000 calories a day, you can only serve a population equivalent to the Earth
7.5 billion inhabitants. Many scientists believe that the Earth has a carrying capacity of
9-10 billion people.
Even in the case of maximum efficiency at all were devoted to grains grown for human
food (instead of cattle, which is an inefficient way to convert food into energy power
plant), although there is a limit. "If everyone agrees to become vegetarian, leaving little
or nothing for the cattle, 1.5 billion hectares of arable land would support about 10
billion people" [See the article Quantas pessoas o planeta aguenta? (How many people
the planet can handle?) Available on website < http://hypescience.com/quantas-
pessoas-o-planeta-aguenta/>].

7. 7
Cornell University in the United States carried out studies on the ability of food
production on the planet. One study notes that the Earth is only able to feed 2 billion
people with the same standard of living of the developed capitalist countries. This
means that the higher the standard of living of the population of the Earth, ie, the higher
is the level of your food intake, the greater the requirement that their population is
smaller.
Given the findings of several studies on the impact of population growth on
development, it is clear that something needs to be done now to prevent a catastrophe
that lies ahead in the next 37 years. It is imperative that governments around the world
to adopt policies that contribute to the balance between population size and available
resources on the planet Earth, on the one hand, and the rate of increase of the population
and the economy's capacity to meet their basic needs not only in the present but, on the
other hand, for the future generations.
3.2 The scarcity of water in the XXI century
Worldwide, there is a widespread view that water is an inexhaustible resource. It is,
however, a mistake because water resources, although renewable, are limited.
Importantly, the water that makes up the Earth, only 2.5% is fresh. Of these 2.5%, about
24 million km3 (or 70%) are in the form of ice (mountainous areas, Arctic and
Antarctic), 30% are stored underground (aquifers, soils and other icy) representing 97%
all fresh water available for human use [See article A escassez de água agrava os riscos
de guerras no mundo, dizem os especialistas que participam do Fórum Mundial da
Água, em Marselha, na França (Water scarcity aggravates the risks of wars in the
world, say the experts participating in the World Water Forum in Marseille in France)
available on the website <http://www. vocesabia.net / health / lack-of-water-on-earth-
will-generate-conflicts >/].
Of all fresh water available, only 0.4% is in lakes or rivers, available for people to use.
70% of freshwater is used for irrigation, 22% in industry and only 8% in the household.
The OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) states that
world demand will rise 55% by 2050. The prediction is that this year, 2.3 billion
additional people - more than 40% of the world population - do not have access to water
if appropriate measures are not taken.
In the article cited above, it is reported that 800 million people lack access to safe
drinking water worldwide, 2.5 billion have no basic sanitation, between 3 billion and 4
billion people, which corresponds to half the world's population, do not have access to
water permanently using every day, water of questionable quality, 11% of the world
population still share water with animals in riverbeds and, according to the WHO
(World Health Organization), seven people die per minute in the world by drinking
stagnant water and more than 1 billion people still defecate in the open.
The freshwater injunction appears in the twenty-first century with a new connotation of
great geopolitical strategy in international relations, national, regional and local

8. 8
authorities as a limited natural resource and critical to the survival of humanity. The
problem of drought in numerous and extensive regions of the Earth has become so
severe that countries are beginning to reassess the true value of water and its strategic
importance to the economic development and the survival of humanity.
Water scarcity can be a major source of conflict in the twenty-first century. Their
scarcity in a number of countries, mainly in Africa and the Middle East, could be the
main cause of economic and even military conflicts. Probably drinking water will be the
most disputed natural resource on the planet in the twenty-first century. The UN defines
the shortage as a "silent crisis", being a crisis at the time overshadowed by the scarcity
of other liquid, oil. Figure 4 below shows the world regions most affected by water
stress, ie the scarcity of fresh water on the planet.
Figure 4 - The shortage of fresh water on the planet (resources used / available
resources)
Source: http://elistas.egrupos.net/lista/encuentrohumboldt/archivo/indice/2171/msg/2237/
Data from the Brazilian Ministry of Cities and the National Information System on
Sanitation show that by 2010, 81% of the population had access to safe water and only
46% of Brazilians relied on sewage collection. Of total sewage generated in the country,
only 38% received treatment in the period. The United Nations (UN) estimates that by
2050 more than 45% of the world population does not have access to drinking water.
And, in the absence of a supply system that meets all equitably, the poor are the ones
who suffer the most, especially those living in urban squatter settlements.

9. 9
UNICEF reports that every 15 seconds a child dies from diseases related to lack of safe
water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in the world. Every year, 3.5 million people
worldwide die from problems related to inadequate supply of water, poor sanitation and
lack of hygiene policies, according to representatives of 28 other United Nations bodies,
comprising the UN-Water [See the article Falta de água de qualidade mata uma
criança a cada 15 segundos no mundo, revela Unicef (Lack of quality water kills a
child every 15 seconds in the world, reveals UNICEF) available on the website
<http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/noticia/2013-03-22/falta-de-agua-de-qualidade-mata-
uma-crianca-cada-15-segundos-no-mundo-revela-unicef>].
In Report on the Development of Water Resources, document that the UN-Water
publishes every three years, the researchers point out that almost 10% of the diseases
recorded around the world could be prevented if governments invest more in water
access, measures hygiene and sanitation. Diarrhoeal diseases could be virtually
eliminated if there was such an effort, particularly in developing countries. This type of
disease is usually related to the ingestion of contaminated water kills 1.5 million people
annually. Several factors influence the occurrence of diarrhea, such as the availability of
drinking water, food poisoning, inadequate hygiene and cleaning of water tanks.
Despite the amount of water available to be constant, the demand, however, is
increasing due to population growth and agricultural production, creating a climate of
uncertainty and the possibility of internal conflicts in each country and international
conflicts. The OECD says that conflicts usually occur within the same country, since the
population has different needs regarding the use of water (for agriculture or
consumption, for example) and this generates disputes [See Article A escassez de água
agrava os riscos de guerras no mundo, dizem os especialistas que participam do Fórum
Mundial da Água, em Marselha, na França (Water scarcity increasing the threat of
wars in the world, say the experts attending the World Water Forum in Marseille in
France) available on the website <http://www.vocesabia.net/saude/escassez-de-agua-
na-terra- will-generate-conflicts />].
The CPT (Pastoral Land Commission), which since 1985 records the land conflicts in
Brazil four years ago also started to record the water conflicts, particularly in rural areas
that spans the entire Brazilian territory. Twenty-three units of the federation record
water conflicts, so far beyond the idea that the water problem is only in the Brazilian
Northeast. The causes are multiple, but one that prevails is the one that is caused by the
construction of weirs or dams. The private appropriation of water misuse and poor
preservation of the watershed are other major sources of water conflicts in Brazil.
In 2003 UNESCO published a report identifying watersheds with the greatest potential
to generate international conflicts. Among the sites listed by UNESCO are the La Plata
basin, which can lead to disputes between Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and
Brazil, the construction of hydroelectric dams on the Madeira River in Brazil which is
challenged by the Bolivian government claiming environmental impacts, the basin Nile
River where nine African countries (Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya,

10. 10
the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Ethiopia) discuss the use of its waters,
the Golan Heights posing in Israeli-Syrian confrontation in contention by the
headwaters of the Jordan River, crucial to the water supply from the Middle East, the
two aquifers that supply Israel and the Palestinian territories which have shrunk and put
into confrontation the State of Israel and the Palestinian Authority and the waters of the
rivers that cross Turkey , Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan that have reduced the volume
of water can lead to conflicts between these countries for the control of water resources
[See Article Escassez de água pode levar a conflitos (Water scarcity can lead to
conflicts) available on the website
<http://www.univesp.ensinosuperior.sp.gov.br/preunivesp/1343/escassez-de-gua-pode-
levar-a-conflitos.html>].
All forms of life on Earth depend on water. Fresh water is a vital resource for human
survival, being paramount the rational use of the resource. It is necessary to search for
alternatives to avoid wasting the precious liquid. To do so, seeks to present a realistic,
succinct, the silent water crisis. The great challenge of the third millennium is to ensure
a growing population, access to good quality water, a resource that is scarce beyond
unevenly distributed geographically.
There is growing evidence that global warming and its effects on Earth's climate could
reduce water resources, interrupt more frequently supply services, in addition to
increasing the cost of water and wastewater services. Water scarcity tends to make them
multiply conflicts both internal and between countries in the XXI century becoming
darker still the future of humanity.
3.3-The depletion of natural resources of the planet
Natural resources include everything that helps to sustain life, such as soil, sunlight,
water, air, fuels and minerals, plants and animals. Natural resources are not
inexhaustible, however, if we do a careful management of these resources, we can
continue to take advantage of them without compromising our quality of life and that of
future generations. Are often classified as renewable and non-renewable, when taking
into account the time required for one to give his replacement.
The non-renewable resources include substances that cannot be recovered within a short
period of time, such as oil and mineral in general (eg, coal, iron or gold). Renewable
resources are those that can be renewed or recovered, with or without human
interference, such as forests, sunlight, wind and water. The animals can also be regarded
as resources.
The non-renewable and renewable resources can also be classified into:
• Energy resources- are those that have the capacity to produce energy, such as coal and
oil. Water can be considered an energy resource, when it is used for energy (dams, for
example).
• Non-energy resources- most metals is not used to produce energy, with the exception

11. 11
of tungsten, uranium and plutonium, which, being radioactive, are used for power
generation.
One indisputable fact is that mankind has consumed more natural resources than the
planet can replenish. The current rate of consumption is a threat to the future prosperity
of mankind. In the last 45 years, the demand for natural resources of the planet has
doubled, due to rising living standards in rich and emerging countries and the increasing
world population. Today humanity uses 50% of the world's fresh water. In 40 years will
use 80%. The geographical distribution of freshwater is uneven. Currently one third of
the world population lives in regions where it is scarce. The use of water unfit for
consumption is responsible for 60% of patients in the planet. Half the world's rivers are
contaminated by sewage, pesticides and industrial waste [VEJA.COM. Cai do Céu, mas
pode faltar (Falls from Heaven, but may lack). Available on the website
<http://veja.abril.com.br/300108/p_086.shtml>].
Only 12% of Earth's land is arable. Over the past 30 years has doubled the total arable
land affected by severe droughts due to global warming. In China every two years an
area equivalent to the state of Sergipe in Brazil turns into desert. Of the 200 species of
fish with greater commercial interest, 120 are exploited beyond sustainable level. At
this rate, the volume of fish available has decreased by over 90% by 2050. It is
estimated that 40% of the area of the oceans is severely degraded by human action.
Over the past 50 years the number of dead zones has grown 10 times [ABREU LIMA,
Roberta and VIEIRA, Vanessa. O WWF alerta para o esgotamento dos recursos
naturais (WWF warns of depletion of natural resources). Available on website
<http://arquivoetc.blogspot.com.br/2008 / 11/o-wwf-alerta-para-o-esgotamento-
dos.html>].
Since 1961, the amount of greenhouse gases discharged into the atmosphere by man
grew 10 times. This discharge accelerates global warming causing droughts, floods,
extinction of species and the possibility of rising sea levels of up to 7 meters occur if the
melting poles, Greenland and the mountain ranges of the Himalayas, the Alps and the
Andes which result the disappearance of many islands and coastal cities. The reduction
since 1970 of specimens is 33% terrestrial, marine specimens corresponding to 14%,
and specimens of freshwater is 35%. World population grows by about 80 million years
exacerbating the demand for water and its services [WWF BRAZIL. Planeta Vivo 2008
(Living Planet 2008). Available on the
website).<http://assets.wwf.org.br/downloads/sumario_imprensa_relatorio_planeta_viv
o_2008_28_10_08.pdf>].
UN report on water usage confirms that without measures against waste and for
sustainable consumption, access to clean water and sanitation will be further reduced
[SOS RIVERS OF BRAZIL. Bilhões sofrerão com falta de água e saneamento, diz
relatório da ONU (Billions suffer from lack of water and sanitation, says UN report).
Available on the website <http://sosriosdobrasil.blogspot.com.br/2009/03/bilhoes-

12. 12
sofrerao-com-falta-de-agua-e.html>]. This UN report estimates that 5 billion people will
suffer from a lack of basic sanitation in 2030. In the world there is 1.197 billion people
without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation 2.742 billion (data from the
Human Development Report 2004) and, in Brazil, there are more than 45 million people
without access to safe drinking water and more than 90 million without access to
sewage (data from IBGE in 2004). According to the UN, 41% of the current surface of
the planet are formed by dry areas, such as the Brazilian semiarid region, and 2 billion
people live in these areas. All these people, in dry or wet areas, have no access to
drinking water [TAGUCHI, Clarissa. Ver para crer: uma guerra pela água pode estar
prestes a ser travada (Seeing is believing: a war for water may be about to be waged).
Available on website <http://panoramaecologia.blogspot.com .br/2006/03/ver-para-crer-
uma-guerra-pela-gua-pode.html>].
Water is becoming a source of wars due to international competition for water
resources. Many countries build large dams diverting water from natural drainage
systems of rivers to the detriment of others. The main water conflicts in the world today
involve Israel, Jordan and Palestine by the Jordan, Turkey and Syria by the Euphrates
River, China and India the Brahmaputra River, Botswana, Angola and Namibia by the
Okavango River, Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan and Egypt by the River Nile and Bangladesh
and India by the River Ganges. On the American continent, the conflict between the
United States and Mexico for Colorado River water has intensified in recent years
[Shiva, Vandana. As guerras pelos recursos naturais (Wars for natural resources).
Available on website <http://www.tierramerica.net/portugues/2006/
0617/pgrandesplumas.shtml>].
If the peripheral capitalist countries copy the standards of developed capitalist countries,
the amount of fossil fuels currently consumed would increase 10 times and mineral
resources, 200 times [WWF BRAZIL. O que é desenvolvimento sustentável? (What is
sustainable development?). Available on website <http://www .wwf.org.br /
natureza_brasileira / questoes_ambientais / desenvolvimento_sustentavel />]. As for
mineral resources, iron, aluminum and titanium are possibly abundant in Earth's crust
whose reserves can be considered unlimited. However, other non-renewable mineral
formed by geological processes over millions of years have reserves that reduce
continually being so scarce and precious as the fossil fuels (MEADOWS, Donella et
alli. Beyond the limits. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing Company, 1992 .)
For two centuries the extraction of mineral resources has become more intense,
removing increasing amounts of nature. The concern is that most of these resources are
not renewable, ie, are not replenished by nature. If the pace of extraction continues as is,
mankind will certainly see some ores extinguished. Based on existing reserves today,
certain mineral resources already have a possible date for run out, among them we can
mention the gold, tin and nickel. The reserves of gold and tin should be exhausted by
the year 2020. The expected date for the end of the nickel reserves on the planet is
around 2050. Many scientists say that oil will run out around 2070 [BRAZIL SCHOOL.

13. 13
O esgotamento de alguns minérios (Depletion of some minerals). Available on the
website <http://www.brasilescola.com/geografia/o-esgotamento-alguns-minerios.htm>].
The competition for resources such as oil is currently the largest potential source of
global conflicts. The growth in demand for oil will outstrip supply in 2020 or 2025
overall, pointing out that the world is experiencing "the twilight of the oil," that is, a
time of transition between abundance and scarcity. The dispute over the oil that is left
will lead to a permanent state of war, characterized by the presence of major powers in
their regions. In the past, the major industry players discovered more oil per year than
they were able to extract, which is no longer true today. Nowadays there is more oil
extraction than the ability to replenish with new discoveries [BRAFMAN, Luciana.
Disputa por petróleo leva a estado de guerra permanente (Dispute for oil leads to a
state of permanent war). Available at web site <http://www1.folha.uol.com.br /
fsp/brasil/fc1710200520.htm>].
Everything suggests that the wars of the twenty-first century will be the fulcrum as the
battle for natural resources that tend not to meet human needs. Our development model
is reaching its limits. With the lack of natural resources necessary for their survival and
the absence of a world government that is able to mediate conflicts, humanity tends to a
regression to barbarism and cruel behavior. To avoid this catastrophic scenario, it is
necessary that all the governments of all countries of the world into an agreement that
enables global social economic development and social development and rational use of
nature's resources for the benefit of all mankind.
3.4-The overcrowded cities
The city became the main habitat of mankind. For the first time in human history, more
than half of the population is living in cities. This number, 3.3 billion people, should
surpass the 5 billion in 2030. In the early twentieth century the urban population did not
exceed 220 million people. Access to employment, services, public facilities and greater
economic well-being and social development is their biggest attraction for all people
who was attending to her. Much of the global environmental problems originated in
cities which make it difficult to achieve sustainability at the global level without making
them sustainable (BEAUJEU-GARNIER. J. Urban Geography. Lisbon: Calouste
Gulbenkian Foundation, 1980).
The creation of cities and the increasing expansion of urban areas have contributed to
the growth of negative environmental impacts. In the urban environment, certain
cultural aspects such as consumption of manufactured products and the need to water as
a natural resource vital to life, influence how the environment is presented. The customs
and habits of water use and waste production exacerbated by consumption of material
goods are responsible for part of the changes and environmental impacts. Most cities
around the world grow disorderly, chaotically.
Environmental experts gathered in London for the conference Planet Under Pressure
argue that cities will expand by 1.5 million square kilometers in the next 20 years. The

14. 14
estimated area is equivalent to the territories of France, Spain and Germany combined.
China has one of the highest rates of population migration from rural to urban areas.
According to the United Nations (UN), the world population will increase from 7 billion
to 9 billion by 2050, which means that during the next 38 years, every week, the world
will have a million more inhabitants. In addition to migration from rural to urban areas,
this growth will make 6.3 billion people live in cities in 2050, compared to 3.5 billion
today [See População urbana vai quase dobrar até 2050 (Urban population will almost
double by 2050). Available on website <http: / / www.estadao.com.br / news / Vidae,
urban-population-will-almost-double-ate-2050, 853,960.0. htm>].
In this paper, Michail Fragkias from University of Arizona says that "the question is not
whether we urbanize, but how we do it. Dense cities, designed to be efficient, offer one
of the most promising ways with regard to sustainability" . Fragkias recalled that, a
century ago, there were only 20 cities with more than one million people in the world.
Currently, that number jumped to 450 cities, which occupy approximately 5% of the
land surface. At the conference Planet Under Pressure, was informed that about 70% of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is expelled from the urban concentrations, and so the
discussion of models of sustainable cities is a central theme to combat climate change.
In 2010, the urban activity was responsible for the issuance of 25 billion metric tons of
CO2 in the atmosphere, compared to 15 billion in 1990. If there are no changes in these
patterns, this rate will be 36.5 billion in 2030.
Figure 5 shows the evolution of the urban population in the world from 1950 to 2010
and its projection to 2030.
Figure 5 - Urban population in the world

15. 15
Source: https://www.google.com.br/search?hl=pt-
Figure 6 shows the urban population in the world by continent as a percentage in 2000.
It is noticed that with the exception of Africa and Asia, the other continents have urban
populations that exceed 70% of the total population.
Figure 6 - Urban population in the world by continent
Source: Population Division, United Nations, 2000
The uncontrolled growth of cities in Brazil and around the world underscores, often, the
lack of urban planning causing irreversible impacts in such territories, which are
reflected in their environmental quality. The urbanization process occurred significantly
primarily in the countries of the European continent, with the emergence and
development of industries in the eighteenth century. Since 1950, this process took major
on a global scale. The process of industrialization has expanded by several countries,
attracting more people to the cities. However, urbanization without a proper planning
results in several problems of environmental and social. The swelling of the cities,
caused by the accumulation of people, and the lack of adequate infrastructure creates
inconvenience for the urban population.
Physical and biological environmental changes over time and impair the scenery change
ecosystems. Environmental changes occur for innumerable reasons, many so-called
natural and derived from other human interventions, considered unnatural. It is a fact
that technological development and contemporary cultures of the communities have
contributed to these changes in the environment and to intensify, especially in the urban
environment. Nowadays most people inhabiting urban environments.

16. 16
Significant environmental impacts occur due to the modes of production and
consumption in urban spaces. Pollution, traffic jams, violence, unemployment, etc., Are
common features in the cities. Water pollution is mainly caused by the release of
industrial and domestic effluents without proper treatment. Air pollution is a major
problem of the cities that occurs due to the release of toxic gases in the atmosphere. The
heavy flow of vehicles and industries are mainly responsible for such pollution.
Other environmental problems of urbanization are: soil sealing, visual pollution, noise
pollution, climate change, acid rain, lack of environmental sanitation, lack of proper
disposal and treatment of solid waste, greenhouse, among others. The lack of an
effective urban planning affects the quality of life of the urban population. The
overcrowded cities generate the occupation of unsuitable sites for housing for low-
income populations, as areas of steep slopes, valley bottoms, among others.
The rapid urbanization and growth of cities, especially from mid-twentieth century
promoted physiognomic changes on the planet, more than any other human activity.
The population of Brazil presents the same global trend of environmental occupation, or
opt for the urban ecosystem as home. Brazil's transformation from rural to urban
country occurred in the 1960s by a procedure essentially predatory, with marked social
exclusion of less privileged classes of the population which does not have conditions for
the acquisition of land in urban areas occupy structured mostly land should be protected
to preserve water, slopes, valley bottoms and others.
In Brazil, data presented in 2004 by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics
(IBGE) show that over 80% of people are urban dwellers that should reach 85% in the
next twenty years. This growth of urban centers has led to a marked decrease in quality
of life and the growth of social and environmental imbalances, aggravated by recent
structural changes in the capitalist dynamic. This fact makes it a requirement to work
with the principles of sustainability incorporated into urban management, focusing on
issues such as reducing the levels of poverty, creation of jobs; deployment of sanitation,
education and health; adequacy of urban land use, control pollution, environmental
remediation, use of clean energy sources, combating urban violence, protection of
historical and environmental, among others.
It is in cities that the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable
development converge more intensely, making it become necessary which is thought
out, planned and managed according to the model of sustainable development which
aims to meet the current needs of the population of Earth without compromising its
natural resources, bequeathing them to future generations. This means that the model of
sustainable development in cities should be adopted aimed at aligning the economic and
social factors in the environment. What characterizes a sustainable city? It is the right of
the population to urban land, housing, environmental sanitation, infrastructure, urban
transport and public services, work and leisure, for current and future generations.
Sustainable cities are cities that have a policy of economic and social development
harmonized with the natural environment. Sustainable cities have as a guideline the

17. 17
planning and control of land use, in order to prevent degradation of natural resources. A
sustainable city must have clear policies and comprehensive sanitation, and waste
disposal, water management, with the collection, treatment, reuse and economy;
transport systems that favor mass transit quality and safety; actions to preserve and
expand green areas and use of clean and renewable energy, and above all, transparent
public administration and shared with civil society organizations.
The search for an economically viable, socially just and environmentally sound leads
the effort to understand the new dynamics that govern the urban space, which enable the
construction of articulated policies whose goal is quality of life, productivity,
environmental preservation and social inclusion. The challenge is to think of all the
parties related to the construction of a city in a systemic, encompassing economic,
social and environmental. Sustainable development can only be achieved if the cities
have cooperation between each of its inhabitants, public organizations and private
productive sector, the civil society organizations and governments at all levels based on
environmental responsibility policies outlined by them.
In the current era in which the problems of global warming may lead to global
catastrophe, every city has to have a plan for adapting to climate change, especially
those subject to extreme events. Coastal cities, for example, must have predictable
planning against rising sea levels and should worry about landslides on slopes, flooding,
etc. resulting from inclement rains. Anyway, should have flexibility and adaptability to
changing climatic requirements. It´s necessary to redesign the urban growth of cities in
order to integrate them with the natural environment, to recover its beaches and its
rivers now quite committed to the discharge of sewage, so that the cities does not
receive a hostile response from the natural environment.
The master plans for urban development of cities should revitalize your old center with
the recovery of real estate in the state of blasting and its playgrounds to become
peaceful living spaces and comfortable for its inhabitants, providing all local good
urban infrastructure compatible with the needs of its population and promote the
formation and maintenance of self-sufficient neighborhoods to avoid unplanned urban
expansion of its territory.
The master plans for urban development should give priority to crowding and urban
development within the built environment and the recovery of degraded environments.
Risk areas unduly occupied by low-income populations should be urbanized or, when
not possible, promote the relocation of its inhabitants with the construction of new
housing units. Are all large projects that require considerable resources to create
activities that generate employment, income and well-being for the population.
The planning of the development of cities, the spatial distribution of population and
economic activities of the municipality and the territory under its influence should be
done to prevent and correct the distortions of urban growth and its negative effects on
the environment. In every city should be adopted a strategic plan for long-term based on
sustainable development.

18. 18
3.5-The global climate change
Global climate change is expected to happen as a result of global warming resulting
from the greenhouse effect caused by the retention of heat in the lower atmosphere of
the Earth caused by the concentration of gases of various kinds. The Earth receives
radiation emitted by the Sun which is absorbed by the land surface warming. Much of
this radiation is returned to the space and the other part is absorbed by the layer of gas
surrounding atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect (Figure 7). It is due to this
natural phenomenon, the greenhouse effect, which have an average temperature of the
Earth in the range of 15 º C. Without this phenomenon, the average temperature of the
Earth would be -18 º C [Alcoforado, Fernando. Aquecimento global e catástrofe
planetária (Global warming and planetary catastrophe). Santa Cruz do Rio Pardo:
Viena Gráfica e Editora, 2010].
Figure 7 – Greenhouse effect
Source: Larara, Dakir. Aquecimento Global e Mudanças Climáticas (Global Warming and Climate
Change). Curso de Geografia ULBRA – Canoas, http://www.educacional.com.br.
Greenhouse gases (which prevent the dispersion of heat generated by the planet's
surface after it receives solar radiation) to focus increasingly on Earth are carbon
dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) chlorofluorocarbon compounds
(CFCs) and water vapor (H2O). Most of them are from the burning of fossil fuels (coal,
oil and derivatives), forests and agriculture. The greenhouse gases absorb the infrared
radiation emitted by the surface of the Earth and in turn radiate the absorbed energy
back to the surface. As a result, the surface of the Earth receives almost twice much

19. 19
energy from the atmosphere than it receives from the Sun and the surface is about 30 °
C warmer than it would be without the presence of greenhouse gases.
To keep climate balance, the Earth needs to receive the same amount of energy that
sends back into space. If an imbalance occurs for some reason, the planet Earth warms
or cools until the temperature reached again, the exact measure for correct exchange of
heat. The natural climate balance was disrupted by the Industrial Revolution. Since the
nineteenth century, the concentrations of carbon dioxide in the air increased by 30%, the
folded methane and nitrous oxide went from 15%.
If nothing is done by 2030 to reverse global warming, the average temperature of the
Earth should evolve from 15 ºC to 19 ºC, as is shown in Figure 8 below:
Figure 8 - average global temperature and projections
Source:. Veja Magazine Online, Global Warming.
Global warming is produced by human activity (anthropogenic) on the planet and also
by natural processes, such as decomposition of organic matter and volcanic eruptions,
which produce ten times more gas than man. For ages, the natural processes alone
ensured the maintenance of the greenhouse effect, without which life would not be
possible on Earth. The global warming gases derived from human activity are produced
by fossil fuels used in cars, in industries and in power plants, the agricultural production
and the burning forests.
Taking into account the findings of numerous studies related to global warming, if
nothing is done by 2030 to reverse their current trends, their consequences are as
follows:
• 2 to 4.5 ° C is the elevation range that must suffer the average global temperature by

20. 20
the end of this century according to estimates made by the IPCC-Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change UN.
• The polar ice cap will completely disappear within 100 years, according to studies
published by the National Sachetimes New York in July 2005. This will cause the end
of ocean currents in the Atlantic Ocean, which make the climate becomes colder
generating the great contradiction that also cools warming.
• By 2100, the sea levels could rise from 1 to 7 meters up, in the extreme case, there is
the melting of the poles, the ridges and Greenland.
• 40% of the trees in the Amazon may disappear before the end of the century if
temperatures rise 2-3 degrees.
• Tropical forests are replaced by savannas in regions where there is a reduction of
groundwater.
• The weather will be colder in the northern hemisphere only. For the rest of the world
average temperature will rise and droughts and rainfall will change across the planet.
• From 9-58% of species on land and sea will be extinct in the coming decades,
according to different assumptions.
• About 20% to 30% of all species face a "high risk of extinction" if the global average
temperature increase over 1.5 to 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to 1990 levels. This
could happen by 2050.
• The greenhouse will help to reduce rainfall in some areas of the planet causing them to
occur at higher temperatures and greater evaporation.
• Rainfall should increase by about 20% in the higher latitudes.
• Several areas of the globe may be flooded because of the overabundance of
precipitation, resulting in extensive flooding.
• 2000 km square will turn into desert due to lack of rains.
• The flow of rivers could shrink by 50% or more may some of them dry completely.
• Important groundwater could be severely reduced, making the irrigation wells dry.
• Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is making the oceans more acidic. This
weakens the corals, sea nurseries, and plankton, the base of the underwater food chain.
• Coral reefs are likely to suffer sharp declines.
• Mangroves salty marshland and forests may disappear with increasing sea levels.
• The Arctic, due to the greater relative warming, small island states in the Pacific with
the increase in sea level, the area south of the Sahara Africa due to drought and densely

21. 21
populated river deltas and in Asia because of flooding will suffer quite with climate
change.
4. The imperative of sustainable development
The two threats, economic and environmental, tend to produce a real crisis of humanity
that makes it becomes imperative to build around the planet a new society different
from today where all countries act interdependently and rationally purposes common on
a global scale without which it may be put into question the survival of humans and life
on earth.
With the current development model there is no way to overcome the global economic
crisis that the world tends to lead to depression with the failure of governments,
business bankruptcies, mass unemployment and even a new world conflagration, and
prevent degradation the environment of the planet with the increasing world population,
depletion of natural resources of the planet, the scarcity of water in the world, the
overcrowded cities and global climate change. To overcome this problem, we have no
choice but to adopt a new model that reconciles the demands of development with the
environment.
For all these reasons it becomes imperative to implement a sustainable society in each
country and on a global scale that is one that meets the needs of the present generation
without diminishing the chances of future generations to meet them and thus contribute
to build world peace. How to build a sustainable global society? The new Sustainable
Global Society can be born based on pressure from the international community for
their urgent necessity, or else come after disasters that may occur in environments
economic, social and ecological world and the wars in cascade that may grow in the
future, if nothing is done.
The new Sustainable Global Society should be able to regulate the world economy and
international relations based on a Social Contract Planetarium to promote global
economic prosperity based on the model of sustainable development for the benefit of
all human beings. The Social Contract Planetarium should result from the will of the
UN General Assembly, the new World Parliament, that would elect World Government
representing the will of all peoples of the world. With a world government, it will be
possible to fight the end of war and the bloodshed that has characterized the history of
mankind throughout history. In these circumstances, all countries of the world have
shared their sovereignty among themselves through parliament and government
worldwide.
Building a sustainable global society is a task that relates to governments, businesses
and individuals from all countries. Governments compete to adopt development
policies that reconciles the economic, social and environmental concerns in the country
and seek the establishment of a Social Contract Planetarium focused on sustainable
development worldwide. Entrepreneurs compete to adopt corporate policies of
environmental responsibility in productive activities. Individuals compete consciously

22. 22
act in defense of the environment requiring governments and companies implementing
sustainable development policies and collaborate with public and entrepreneurs at work
in the implementation of corporate social and environmental responsibility policies.
Governments, companies and individuals must work towards achieving the goals of
sustainable development described below:
i. Reduce global carbon emissions by promoting changes in the current global energy
production based mainly on fossil fuels (coal and oil), on the other structured based on
renewable energy resources in hydropower, biomass and sources of solar and wind for
preventing or minimizing the global warming, and therefore the occurrence of
catastrophic changes in the climate of the Earth.
ii. Improve energy efficiency by developing interventions to achieve energy savings in
the city and in the countryside, in buildings, in agriculture, in industry and in
transportation in general and thereby contributes to the reduction of global carbon
emissions, and hence the greenhouse effect.
iii. Improving energy efficiency by making the vehicles and equipment of household,
agricultural and industrial have higher yield, the buildings be designed aiming at
maximum saving lighting, cooling and heating, agriculture and industry be modeled in
order to request the minimum of energy resources and raw materials, including for self-
generation using waste from their production processes based on reverse logistics, and
finally the use of new transportation alternatives from the bike to those of high capacity
based in railways, among other initiatives.
iv. Recycle the materials currently used and discarded. In this perspective, the essential
materials should only be used in production processes and in other applications only in
the latter case. When used in several applications, they must first be reused many times,
secondly, can be recycled to form a new product, thirdly, must be burned in order to
extract containing all the energy and only, ultimately, should be removed to a landfill.
v. Combat pollution of land, air and water.
vi. Adjusting population growth to resources available on the planet, reducing their birth
rates, particularly in countries and regions with high rates of population growth.
vii. Reduce social inequalities, contemplating the adoption of measures that contribute
to the basic needs of the global population, such as food, clothing, housing, health
services, employment and a better quality of life. For there to be sustainable
development, it is therefore necessary that all humans have their basic needs met and
they are given opportunities to realize their aspirations for a better life.
viii. Making economic growth and wealth resulting from it be shared by all population,
the education services allow larger levels of qualification for the work and culture of
the population, the health services be effective in combating infant mortality and
contribute to increased life expectancy of the population, all men and women have

23. 23
decent housing and that public and private investments at the level should be necessary
to contribute to the reduction of mass unemployment as resulted of the general crisis of
the world capitalist system that records today and tends to worsen in the future.
It can be argued that the introduction of the concept of sustainable development is a
major challenge for humanity, because affect multiple interests of an economic nature,
and result in profound changes in the way of development of society, so that economic
growth is less intensive consumption of raw materials and energy and more equitable
distribution of its results for the population. It is necessary, above all, that perform a
cultural revolution around the planet, so that the current development paradigm is
replaced by the paradigm of sustainable development.
5. The environmental responsibility of governments, companies and individuals in
the construction of sustainable development
To avoid the catastrophic future that portends for humanity resulting from the global
economic crisis points to depression and environmental degradation with increasing
world population, depletion of natural resources of the planet, the scarcity of water in
the world, the uncontrolled growth of cities and global climate change, it is essential to
have the commitment of individuals, the public and private productive sector and
governments with sustainable development model.
Each individual, each organization's public and private productive sector, governments
and civil society must act responsibly in order to contribute to the success of the model
of sustainable development which aims to meet the current needs of the population of
the Earth without compromising its natural resources, bequeath them to future
generations. This means that the model of sustainable development should be adopted
aimed at reconciling the environment with economic and social factors.
In order to minimize the environmental problems that worsen continuously across the
planet, have been developed worldwide projects as the Brundtland Report (Our
Common Future - 1987), Rio-92 (1992), Agenda 21 (1992), Kyoto (1999 ), the Earth
Charter (2000), MDG - Millennium Development Goals (2000), Global Compact
(2000) and Rio + 20 (2012) that are contributing to individuals, companies and
governments are mobilized towards reconcile economic and social development with
the environment.
In many countries, governments have already incorporated the environmental variable
in their development policies and there is great deal of environmental education to
mobilize their populations in environmental protection and sustainable development.
Sustainability begins to be seen as something present in everyday life of individuals,
public and private companies and governments.
The Social Responsibility of individuals materializes in practice to their full
participation in civil society organizations to establish requirements for governments at
all levels and public and private companies have sustainable development goals and

24. 24
monitor compliance. The Social Responsibility of individuals means that people should
engage in their homes, in their neighborhoods, in their cities and in their countries
towards sustainable development is put into practice.
For companies, the Environmental Responsibility and / or corporate social sustainability
means the voluntary commitment of public and private organizations with the
development of society and the preservation of the environment. Produce and distribute
its products without generating damage and risks to the environment and its market
strategy is one of the missions of the Social Responsibility of companies. Among the
main actions of the companies can be cited recycling projects with the adoption of
reverse logistics, sanitation (including the treatment of industrial wastewater),
reforestation, environmental education and garbage collection.
The concept of sustainability is driving many companies to practice responsible
management, considering the ethical and transparent relationship with all stakeholders -
customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees and society - that relate to the company
for the sustainable development of its business and with the preservation of the
environment providing benefits to all stakeholders. In the case of corporations, in
addition to productive activities, sustainability involves the treatment of the
environment and their influence and relationship with suppliers, internal and external
audiences and society, corporate governance practices and transparency in internal and
external relationships.
The Environmental Responsibility and / or corporate social sustainability means the
voluntary commitment of public and private organizations with the development of
society and the preservation of the environment, knowing that it will contribute to
building a more just society. Thus, it is admitted that organizations generate revenue
and develop, but also contribute to society to develop aware that all natural resources
are finite and must be used responsibly.
Corporate management should express the effective commitment of all hierarchical
levels of organizations permanently and commitment of its employees with sustainable
development. This integration will only cause positive effects are those directly
involved adhere to sustainable development. After all, the company plays vital role in
the community, especially where it is embedded and their actions can change the reality
of that community, either to benefit or suffer from the impacts of this project.
Corporate Social Responsibility is a form of management that is defined by the ethical
and transparent business with all stakeholders with whom it relates and the
establishment of business goals compatible with sustainable development of society,
preserving environmental and cultural resources for generations future, respecting
diversity and promoting the reduction of social inequalities. The Social responsibility
can be adopted by public and private companies in order to reconcile their economic
interests with social inclusion and environmental conservation. The Social
Responsibility represents a commitment of companies to meet the requirements of the
society.

25. 25
Corporate Social Responsibility is the need to review the modes of production and
consumption patterns existing in such a way that business success is not achieved at any
price, but weighing up the social and environmental impacts resulting from the
operation of the company. Organizations should generate revenue and develop
contributing to society to develop aware that all natural resources are finite and must be
used responsibly. This mission requires that corporations must manage their results,
focusing on economic, social and environmental data.
In turn, the Social Responsibility of governments should translate at international level,
seeking the conclusion of a global social contract that leads to international peace and a
harmonious relationship between human beings and nature and, internally, the adoption
of public policies that contribute to reconcile the modes of production and consumption
patterns existing in the environment. Domestically, should translate the adoption of
public policies that contribute to reconcile the modes of production and consumption
patterns existing in the environment.
The Social Responsibility of governments corresponds to the commitment to meet
requirements of the society combining social inclusion and environmental conservation.
Among the main actions of governments can be cited policies of economic and social
development and recycling projects in production with the adoption of reverse logistics,
sanitation (including sewage treatment), reforestation, environmental education,
collection , disposal and treatment of waste and the economic and social infrastructure
in general.
6. The construction of world peace
For these reasons, we are facing a critical moment in Earth's history and humanity, at a
time when it must choose the direction to be given to its future. As the world becomes
increasingly interdependent and fragile, facing humanity at the same time, great peril
and great promise with regard to their future. We must recognize that in the midst of the
magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth
community with a common destiny.
We must join forces to prevent the catastrophic future that portends for humanity
resulting from the global economic crisis points to depression and environmental
degradation with increasing of world population, exhaustion of the planet's natural
resources, the scarcity of water in the world, overcrowded cities and catastrophic global
climate change by building a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature,
universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace to avoid the barbarism
that would result in the maintenance of the current economic model. To reach this
purpose, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to each
other, with the continuity of life on the planet and to future generations.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ABREU LIMA, Roberta e VIEIRA, Vanessa. O WWF alerta para o esgotamento dos

26. 26
recursos naturais. Disponível no website <http://arquivoetc.blogspot.com.br/2008/11/o-
wwf-alerta-para-o-esgotamento-dos.html>.
AGÊNCIA BRASIL. Falta de água de qualidade mata uma criança a cada 15
segundos no mundo, revela Unicef. Disponível no website
http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/noticia/2013-03-22/falta-de-agua-de-qualidade-mata-
uma-crianca-cada-15-segundos-no-mundo-revela-unicef.
ALCOFORADO, Fernando. Aquecimento global e catástrofe planetária. Santa Cruz do
Rio Pardo: Viena Gráfica e Editora, 2010.
ALVES, José Eustáquio Diniz. A terra no limite. Disponível no website
<http://planetasustentavel.abril.com.br/noticia/ambiente/terra-limite-humanidade-
recursos-naturais-planeta-situacao-sustentavel-637804.shtml.>
BEAUJEU-GARNIER. J. Geografia Urbana. Lisboa: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian,
1980.
BLOG DO PEDLOWSKI. Mundo poderá viver em 2013 “tempestade global” pior que
2008, afirma Roubini postado no website <
http://pedlowski.blogspot.com.br/2012/07/nouriel-roubini-o-unico-que-previu.html>.
BRAFMAN, Luciana. Disputa por petróleo leva a estado de guerra permanente.
Disponível no web site <http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/fsp/brasil/fc1710200520.htm>.
BRASIL ESCOLA. O esgotamento de alguns minérios. Disponível no website
<http://www.brasilescola.com/geografia/o-esgotamento-alguns-minerios.htm>.
COMISSÃO MUNDIAL SOBRE MEIO AMBIENTE E DESENVOLVIMENTO DA
ONU. Nosso Futuro Comum. Rio: Editora da Fundação Getúlio Vargas, 1991.
ESTADÃO.COM.BR. População urbana vai quase dobrar até 2050. Disponível no
website <http://www.estadao.com.br/noticias/vidae,populacao-urbana-vai-quase-dobrar-
ate-2050,853960,0.htm>.
HYPESCIENCE. Quantas pessoas o planeta aguenta? Disponível no website
<http://hypescience.com/quantas-pessoas-o-planeta-aguenta/>).
HOBSBAWN, Eric. En la tercera crisis. Entrevista a Eric J. Hobsbawn. Revista “El
Viejo Topo” disponível no website <www.elviejotopo.com>, 2009.
LARARA, Dakir. Aquecimento Global e Mudanças Climáticas. Curso de Geografia
ULBRA – Canoas, http://www.educacional.com.br.
MEADOWS, Donella et alli. Beyond the limits. Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing
Company, 1992.
SHIVA, Vandana. As guerras pelos recursos naturais. Disponível no website
http://www.tierramerica.net/portugues/2006/0617/pgrandesplumas.shtml.

27. 27
SOS RIOS DO BRASIL. Bilhões sofrerão com falta de água e saneamento, diz
relatório da ONU. Disponível no website
<http://sosriosdobrasil.blogspot.com.br/2009/03/bilhoes-sofrerao-com-falta-de-agua-
e.html>).
TAGUCHI, Clarissa. Ver para crer: uma guerra pela água pode estar prestes a ser
travada. Disponível no website <http://panoramaecologia.blogspot.com.br/2006/03/ver-
para-crer-uma-guerra-pela-gua-pode.html>.
VEJA.COM. Cai do Céu, mas pode faltar. Disponível no website
<http://veja.abril.com.br/300108/p_086.shtml>.
VOCÊSABIA? A escassez de água agrava os riscos de guerras no mundo, dizem os
especialistas que participam do Fórum Mundial da Água, em Marselha, na França.
Disponível no website <http://www.vocesabia.net/saude/escassez-de-agua-na-terra-vai-
gerar-conflitos/>.
WWF BRASIL. Planeta Vivo 2008. Disponível no website
<http://assets.wwf.org.br/downloads/sumario_imprensa_relatorio_planeta_vivo_2008_2
8_10_08.pdf>.
WWF BRASIL. O que é desenvolvimento sustentável?. Disponível no website
<http://www.wwf.org.br/natureza_brasileira/questoes_ambientais/desenvolvimento_sust
entavel/>.