Sustainable Development
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future. Learn about ecology, economy, and the future perfect tense.
1. The 3 Pillars of Sustainability
Sustainable development is built on three pillars: Environment, Economy, and Society.
🌍 Environment
- Climate Change: Changes in global climate patterns.
- Global Warming: The rise in Earth's temperature.
- Deforestation: Cutting down forests.
- Renewable Energy: Energy from sun/wind (infinite).
- Recycling: Processing waste into new products.
💰 Economy & Society
- Micro-credits: Small loans for poor people.
- Poverty Alleviation: Reducing poverty.
- Raw Materials: Basic materials (wood, oil).
- Developed Countries: Rich/Industrialized nations.
- Developing Countries: Poor/Emerging nations.
Key Collocations
- Civil Society: NGOs and community groups.
- Carbon Footprint: Amount of CO2 emitted.
- Urban Areas: Cities and towns.
- Non-Governmental Organization (NGO): E.g., Greenpeace.
- Sustainable Growth: Economic growth that lasts.
- Green House Effect: Trapping of heat by atmosphere.
2. Functions: Cause and Effect
To explain why something happens (Cause) and what happens as a result (Effect).
➡️ Expressing Cause
Connectors followed by a Noun Phrase:
- Because of: "He failed because of his laziness."
- Due to: "Class is cancelled due to the heavy rain."
- Thanks to: (Positive) "We succeeded thanks to your help."
- Owing to: (Formal) "The delay was owing to traffic."
Connectors followed by a Sentence (Subject + Verb):
- Because: "He failed because he was lazy."
- Since / As: "Since it is raining, we will stay home."
➡️ Expressing Effect
Connectors usually used at the beginning of a second sentence:
- Consequently: "He didn't study. Consequently, he failed."
- As a result: "It rained heavily. As a result, the match was stopped."
- Therefore: "She is sick. Therefore, she is absent."
- So: (Informal) "I was tired, so I slept."
3. Grammar: The Future Perfect
Form: Will have + Past Participle
Use: An action that will be
finished before a specific time in the future.
⏳ The Timeline
Imagine it is now 2024. By 2030, you will have finished your studies.
Examples
- "By the end of this year, I will have got my Baccalaureate."
- "By next Monday, she will have finished the report."
- "In two years time, they will have built the new bridge."
⚠️ Don't Confuse
Future Simple: "I will finish." (Neutral future)
Future Perfect: "I will HAVE finished." (Looking back from a future point).
Keyword to look for: "By..."
4. Writing: Formal Letter
Task: Write a letter to a mayor, editor, or director about a local problem (e.g., pollution).
✉️ Layout of a Formal Letter
|
Sender's Name Address |
Date |
|
Recipient's Name/Title Address |
|
Dear Sir/Madam,
Paragraph 1 (Reason): I am writing to draw your attention to [Problem].
Paragraph 2 (Details/Consequences): This issue is causing [Effects]. For example, [Evidence].
Paragraph 3 (Suggestions): I suggest that [Solution]. We should [Action].
Closing: I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Signature]