Summary：

 Sustainable development is not always easy to grasp.It has a long history that relates to the care and stewardship of our Earth in the face of its continuing exploitation by human beings to make their lives materially better.This chapter has attempted to explore the evolution of the concept and practice of sustainable development by showing how, especially since the middle years of the twentieth century, environmental campaigners, sustainability educators, politicians and business people have struggled to come to terms with our negative impact on the planet’s ecosystems.So, from the 1970 Earth Day to the contemporary international negotiations about climate change, sustainable development has been viewed as a necessary but elusive process operating at various scales, including the global and local level.

It may also take different forms in different places and at different times.It has been subject to many different interpretations but has informed the national policy goals of nations.Undoubtedly, sustainable development is now global policy and whatever the criticisms and contradictions the concept harbours there is a need to find practical ways in which a fairer and an ecologically sound future can be realized. Thus, sustainable development requires learning and the willingness of everyone to enter into dialogue with each other to find ways by which a better life can be found for every creature on this planet.

 Homework：

1. Literature reading on“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”(参考教材4）

2. Find and watch some videos about the introduction of UN on  sustainable development online. You can share them with your classmates.