Martin W. Holdgate

Sustainable development is the use of resources without depleting them or seriously damaging the environment. In the following viewpoint, Martin W. Holdgate argues that sustainable development can be achieved in the middle decades of the twenty- first century, but only through a process of international cooperation. Holdgate identifies six environmentally harmful trends that he says will continue into the early twenty-first century that must be addressed, slowed, and eventually reversed. The author contends that the burden of reaching sustainable development must fall on developed, industrialized nations, which should provide money and technology to developing nations to achieve sustainability. Holdgate served as director general of the World Conservation Union in Gland, Switzerland from 1988 to 1994.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Holdgate, why is population growth unstoppable?
2. In Holdgate’s opinion...