Environment makes humanist world

Introduction

A sustainable, harmonious future for the planet is achievable through strategic environmental investments. These investments address pressing ecological issues, including biodiversity decline and the multifaceted impacts of climate change. By implementing development frameworks that simultaneously promote prog­ress and safeguard natural ecosystems, such investments redefine human inter­action with nature. They prioritize aligning societal practices with natural cycles and capacities. This paper examines how human-centric territorial development, green infrastructure, sustainable urban spaces, and other key domains contrib­ute to building environmental resilience while fostering economic sustainability and social equity. Ultimately, environmental investments lay the groundwork for transformative societal change by connecting diverse social domains, encouraging compatibility between human development and ecological limits, and promoting opportunities that benefit all.

Human-Centricity in Territorial Development

Sri Lanka requires territorial development based on human requirements together with environmental limits to support sustainable development. Guna- tilleke (2015) supports national accounting systems integration of forest ecosys­tem services to achieve sustainable economic development. Senanayake et al.

(2013) demonstrates how green spaces remain vital for urban design since they boost environmental quality alongside urban health in Colombo. Saparamadu et al. (2018) identified rapid land use changes fr om 1990 to 2015 as the primary cause of environmental degradation which resulted in urban heat island effects as well as soil degradation. The equitable management of human requirements with eco­nomic growth and environmental protection demands the adoption of integrated territorial development approaches.

Green Infrastructure: Building with Nature

Green Infrastructure (GI) and Building with Nature (BwN) are forward-think­ing approaches that integrate natural processes into urban and coastal develop­ment strategies. According to Sinnett et al. (2017) and Vriend (2014), these methods exceed conventional urban greening by systematically enhancing environmental sustainability. For instance, BwN leverages natural systems for engineering pur­poses while fostering ecological benefits. Coastal restoration projects in Demak, Indonesia, exemplify the potential of these approaches, combining mangrove reforestation and permeable structures with community engagement (Wilms et al., 2017). Although these concepts face challenges in practical implementation, their potential to harmonize society with nature remains unparalleled.

Sustainable Urban Spaces

The development of sustainable urban spaces in Sri Lanka, particularly in Colombo, presents both challenges and opportunities. Rathnaweera and Weerakoon (2021) emphasize the Colombo waterfront developments as efforts to balance eco­friendly solutions with economic and social well-being. Dasandara et al. (2021) note that urban farming (UFM) represents an underutilized opportunity for sustainable urban growth. However, sustainable planning frameworks are needed to address existing deficiencies in Colombo's urban green spaces (Konau, 2016). A geospatial analysis by Subasinghe et al. (2021) reveals fluctuating trends in environmental crit­icality over the decades, underscoring the importance of consistent urban planning.

Inclusive Transport

Sustainable transportation systems play a pivotal role in reducing environ­mental impact while promoting equitable urban mobility. Investments in efficient, green public transportation networks are essential to reducing carbon emissions and congestion in urban centers.

Developing inclusive transport systems that cater to diverse social groups ensures accessibility while contributing to the larger goal of environmental sus­tainability.

Climate Change Adaptation

Sri Lanka is increasingly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including shifts in rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and extreme weather events. Eriyagama et al. (2010) highlight the risks faced by agriculture in the dry zone, necessitating adaptive measures.

Agroforestry emerges as a promising solution, combining carbon sequestra­tion with biodiversity conservation (Zoysa & Inoue, 2014). However, integrating climate adaptation into national policies remains a critical challenge. Esham and Garforth (2013) stress the need for comprehensive strategies that align adaptation initiatives with national development goals.

Circular Economy

The circular economy (CE) represents a transformative approach to resource management and waste reduction. Sri Lanka has made strides in this area, par­ticularly through community- based waste management projects (Jayasinghe & Ranahansa Dasanayake, 2021). However, challenges persist, particularly in the construction industry, wh ere CE principles such as recycling and material banks remain underdeveloped (Weerakoon & Thayaparan, 2023).

Encouraging a shift toward circular practices from design to construction life­cycle is essential for sustainable development.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a powerful mechanism for driving environmental investments. Sri Lankan businesses can contribute to sustainabil­ity by aligning their operations with environmental objectives, such as reducing emissions and supporting conservation initiatives. CSR-driven projects not only enhance corporate reputations but also generate tangible benefits for communities and ecosystems.

Natural Hazard Management

Natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and droughts are recurring threats in Sri Lanka. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 has facilitated a shift toward pre­dictive disaster management (Lanka, 2005). However, Jayalath et al. (2021) advo­cate for integrating spatial planning with natural hazard mitigation to minimize vulnerabilities. Enhancing disaster resilience requires reforms to social protection systems, including the development of insurance schemes and microfinance tai­lored to vulnerable populations (Wickramasinghe, 2014).

Inclusive Environments

Social inclusion enables marginalized communities together with all other social groups to experience environmental investment benefits. The inclusion of diverse perspectives during strategic planning leads to dedicated access for all communities to green spaces, clean energy and sustainable resources. Environ­mental initiatives become more effective through inclusivity as it builds better social connections.

Conscious Consumption

Promoting conscious consumption is vital to reducing the ecological footprint of human activities. Public awareness campaigns and policies that encourage sus­tainable practices, such as reducing plastic use and supporting eco-friendly prod­ucts, can drive significant change.

Shifting societal norms toward conscious consumption complements broader environmental investment strategies.

Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism operates by protect the environment and boost economic value as well as cultural advantages. Sri Lanka should use eco-tourism endeavors and habitat protection strategies to build up its tourism industry and maintain its diverse biodiversity. Sustainable infrastructure investments and practice imple­mentations in tourism allow economic advantages which respect nature's objec­tives simultaneously.

Conclusion

Environment investment serves as more than financial outlays because it creates fundamental modifications which lead to sustainable futures for human beings and planet Earth. Human- centric territorial development combined with green infrastructure and sustainable urban spaces along with inclusive transport systems and climate change adaptation methods and circular economy implemen­tation allows societies to tackle their present challenges.

Environmental resilience gains strength from five key elements that work together with economic progress and social fairness leading to sustainable devel­opment.

A systematic approach to environmental stewardship should link these domains by maintaining ecological limits so universal advantages become accessi­ble. Sri Lanka stands as a global model for showing how effective implementation of these strategies restructures human societies by marrying nature-based devel­opment with human well-being. Congo's enduring dedication to these investments will enable the realization of a balanced thriving planet.