The flags are waving about our climate emergency. It needs to be top priority – focus on it. But sustainable development covers much more than that. Have a look at this map. This shows the areas of the UK where extraction of coal has led to problems with surface stability.
We have all heard about the problems with houses cracking as the ground gives way. This is as a result of extraction.
It looks like a big problem with all the areas covered. But if you think that is bad then have a look at Mexico City. The city is sinking at a rate of about 50cm a year. This is despite the water extraction stopping 50 years ago. Part of the reason for the sinking is the weight of building, but this is only as significant because of the historical water removal.
We have probably passed the tipping point for the city. That is a city about one and a half times the size of London. And not one bit of that problem is related to Carbon emissions.
We need to avoid getting sucked in to too narrow a definition of sustainability. It isn’t just about climate change.