Development involves the accumulation and investment of human capital to progress an economy while improving quality of life. Paradigms of development have shifted from a focus on natural resource exploitation to integrated rural development to participatory development and sustainable development. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro saw nations agree to focus development initiatives on sustainability and resulted in agreements on biodiversity, climate change, and forests as well as the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21 program. Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising future generations by integrating economic and social progress with environmental protection.
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