The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Sustainable Development is defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes the conservation of resources, minimization of waste, and the adoption of the 3Rs principle: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Reducing consumption minimizes the demand for natural resources and energy required for production, thereby lowering the environmental footprint. It is a core tenet of sustainable living.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Maximizing waste generation leads to environmental pollution, landfill overflow, and resource depletion. Sustainable development aims to minimize waste generation.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Discarding items after a single use (single-use culture) accelerates resource depletion and waste accumulation. Sustainability encourages reusing items and extending their lifecycle to prevent wastage.
Key Takeaway: Sustainable development relies on minimizing resource extraction and waste through practices such as reducing consumption, reusing products, and recycling materials.