What is Sustainability

We uncover what sustainability means and why its so important

GUIDES AND TIPS

5/15/20232 min read

Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Definition of Sustainability
- THREE Key Principles
- Why choose sustainability
- Summary



Introduction:

Sustainability is a significant global importance as the world faces environmental challenges

In this post, we will dive into what sustainability is, explore its key principles, and point out the importance of embracing sustainable practices

Defining Sustainability: To start with, the definition of sustainability is vital. Refering to the United Nations Brundtland Commission, sustainability is described as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." It emphasizes the integration of environmental protection, social equity, and economic development to achieve a balanced and harmonious society. More on this below:

Three Key Principles of Sustainability:

  • Environmental Responsibility: Sustainability involves responsibly managing natural resources, minimize waste and pollution, while protecting ecosystems. It emphasizes the need to reduce our ecological footprint and encourage biodiversity conservation.

  • Social Equity: Sustainable involves prioritizing social well-being, aiming for fairness, equality, and social justice. Further, it is ensuring accessability to fundamental needs such as clean water, food, healthcare, education, and promoting inclusivity and diversity within societies.

  • Economic Viability: Sustainability emphazises the very importance of economic development, however along side the boundaries of environmental and social sustainability. It encourages practices that promote long-term economic growth, job generation, and innovation while minimizing negative impacts on the planet and society.

Why choose sustainability:

  • Environmental Preservation: Sustainability is crucial for reducing pollution, preserve natural resources, and protecting the Earth's ecosystems. It ensures to prevent further environmental degradation and promotes the conservation of biodiversity.

  • Social Well-being: Embracing sustainable practices improves quality of life and promotes social unity. It ensures access to resources and opportunities for all, creating healthier and more resilient communities.

  • Long-term Economic Stability: Sustainable development offers economic benefits by enhancing innovation, generating green jobs, and driving economic resilience. For example: By innovation, start up companies who collaborate with the emphasis on green innovation and discovery in the field of renewable energies can employ engineers, managers, etc. In that sense, it enables businesses to thrive in a changing world and contributes to long-term economic stability.

Summary:

Sustainability is a multidimensional concept that covers environmental, social, and economic aspects. By implementing sustainable practices, we can build a better future for ourselves and future generations.

Sources:

  1. World Wildlife Fund - wwf.panda.org

  2. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals - un.org/sustainabledevelopment

  3. Sustainable Development Solutions Network - unsdsn.org

  4. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change - ipcc.ch

  5. The World Bank - worldbank.org

  6. Global Reporting Initiative - globalreporting.org