POPULATION AND SUSTAINABILITY The worlds growing population and production along with unsustainable consumption patterns increase

e the stress on the essential resources. Development strategies should deal with the population growth, health of the ecosystem, technology and access to resources. Primary goals include: alleviation of poverty, secure livelihoods, good health and quality of life and the improvement in the status of women. Countries need to know their national population carrying capacity which is said to be the ability of the resource base to support and provide for the needs of humans without becoming depleted. Major migrations as a result of climate change and the cumulative environmental change may destroy peoples local livelihoods and may lead to environmental disruption. In addition, critical resources such as water and land, and environmental factors, such as ecosystem health and biodiversity should also be given special attention. Sustainable development programs include reproductive health programs and programs that involve women empowerment. Population programs should include the ecosystem health, technology and human settlements, and the socio-economic structures and access to resources. It should also be supported by political, indigenous, religious and traditional authorities, the private sector and the scientific community.

PROTECTING AND PROMOTING HUMAN HEALTH Human health depends on a healthy environment. Good health depends on social, economic and spiritual development, and a healthy environment, including safe food and water. Broad-based campaign against ill health should be executed. People need health education, immunization, essential drugs and health care that is adapted to local needs and has trained local people who can maintain and repair medical equipment. The country should have a health action plan that includes a national public health system.

SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Most developing countries lack clean water and sanitation that causes widespread ill-health.

Sustainable urban life: homeless poor and unemployed get access to land, credit and low-cost building materials security of tenure and legal protection against unfair eviction full payment of services such as clean water, sanitation and waste collection

Construction programs should emphasize using local materials, develop energy efficient designs, materials that do not harm health and the environment and labor intensive technologies that employ more people. National action programs should promote energy-saving and renewable energy technologies (solar, hydro, wind and biomass). Transportation strategies should include public transport, bicycle, and footpath. Improvement of rural living conditions and the development of medium-sized cities that create employment and housing are suggested to reduce migration in big cities. Settlements should be built in locations and using designs and materials that reduce the risk of damage from natural disasters.