Many people wonder about the meanings of environmental buzzwords, namely sustainability; what is it? How does it affect our planet and conservation efforts?
An A-Z of the 4th R of Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. Yesterday’s post about paper was titled Most important of the three Rs, by which I meant Reduce (and, by happy coincidence – Reading). Leigh added a 4th R: “Replace: if your sources are non sustainable”. I know that there are sometimes 4 or more Rs but most people refer to Reduce, Reuse.
In essence, to sustain is to continue our capacity to live life on this planet — to endure — but because that definition doesn't quite encompass the full meaning behind environmental sustainability, it's important to look at the ways different organizations and experts view the topic.
Sustainability in a Nutshell
A walk on the beach or a hike in the woods are reminders that our forests, coral reefs, and even our deserts and act as examples of sustainable systems. Oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon are all regenerated and redistributed in invisible chemical cycles throughout the world’s living (and not-so-living) systems, sustaining and adapting life since it first emerged.
Governments, industry, non-profits, and environmental agencies all have different definitions of environmental sustainability and approaches to the issue. Generally, there are three definitions of the practice.
Definition No.1: Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
This is the definition of sustainability as created by the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development. While it is not universally accepted, the UN's definition is pretty standard and has been expanded over the years to include perspectives on human needs and well-being (including non-economic variables, such as education and health, clean air and water, and the protection of natural beauty). It is clear that the potential of our long-term viability of well being on this planet has to do with our maintenance of the natural world and its natural resources.
Definition, No.2: Sustainability is the capacity to improve the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of the Earth’s supporting eco-systems.
This definition has been provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the work of which is driven by the fact that global production and consumption patterns are destroying nature at persistent and dangerously high rates.
As populations have increased and we have relied on the earth's natural resources such as minerals, petroleum, coal, gas and so on, the earth's natural ecosystems and creatures (from birds to insects to mammals) have declined. We have changed the sacred balance of nature as environmentalist David Suzuki puts it, which has had a negative impact on both humans and other living systems.
Definition, No.3: Sustainability is about stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems—human culture and the living world.
This definition of sustainability was provided by environmentalist Paul Hawken, who has written about the realization (and the science behind it) that we are using and destroying the earth's resources faster then they can be regenerated and replenished.
What Can Be Done?
All of these definitions lead us to even more questions. For example, what if we, as an evolutionary species, changed the way we live, love, learn and conduct business on this planet? Is it possible to utilize business as the catalyzing force behind this change? What if we acknowledge that financial success can be tied to ecological and societal success and the inverse as well?
The ways in which we can all live more sustainably can take many forms, such as:
- Reorganizing living conditions in the form of eco-villages, eco-municipalities, and sustainable cities.
- Reappraising economic sectors (permaculture, green building, sustainable agriculture) or work practices (sustainable architecture).
- Developing new technologies (green technologies, renewable energy, etc.)
- Making adjustments in individual lifestyles that conserve natural resources.
Since ecological conditions and economic and social systems differ so much from country to country, there is no single blueprint for how sustainability practices are to be carried out. Each country has to work on its own concrete policy to ensure that sustainable development is carried out as a global objective.
What are the 6 Rs of sustainability?
The 6 R's are : Rethink, Reuse, Recycle, Repair, Reduce and Refuse. Read More
What are the four principles of ecosystem sustainability?
Reliance on Solar Energy Biodiversity Population Control Nutrient Recycling Read More
What is the abbreviation for sustainability?
What is one of the 3Rs?
Using just three examples: In education, reading, writing and arithmetic are considered to be the three Rs. On the subject of sustainability, reduce, reuse, recycle. In animal research and welfare, the three Rs are, replacement, reduction, refinement. Read More
What part of speech is sustainability?
How can you use sustainability in a sentence?
The need for sustainability has enabled man to evolve. This is an example sentence using sustainability. Read More
How many syllables in sustainability?
There are five syllables in the word 'sustainability'. Read More
What is the budget of EPA Sustainability?
The budget of EPA Sustainability is 10,500,000,000 dollars. Read More
How is biodiversity related to sustainability?
Because the sustainability in plants care for the biodiversity. Read More
What is a sentence with the word sustainability?
Based on the data given, what is the sustainability of your program? Read More
What is self-sustainability?
Self-sustainability is closely related to being independent. Meaning you can get by on your own w/o having to rely on someone else. Read More
When was ASU School of Sustainability created?
ASU School of Sustainability was created in 2007. Read More
When was California Sustainability Alliance created?
California Sustainability Alliance was created in 2008. Read More
When was Institute for Computational Sustainability created?
Institute for Computational Sustainability was created in 2008. Read More
What is the monthly average of the cost of food for a family of four?
average cost as per my opinion works out to be about Rs. 3500/- to Rs.4000/- Read More
Name four drafting related career areas?
Drafting is a skill that is used in many different careers. Some of them include architecture, building inspection, and sustainability. Read More
What factors may impact on it diamonds sustainability?
'Sustainability' is commonly an environmental issue. Whatever sustainability issues are attached to mining are attached to diamonds, too. Read More
Describe sustainability in relation to tourism and the challenges of implementing or maintaining sustainability?
Can you put the word sustainability in a sentence?
Business schools need to integrate sustainability into their curriculums. Read More
How do you use sustainability in a sentence?
The sustainability of the new chemical mixture is in grave doubt; it might not be stable. Read More
What is the difference between green design and sustainability?
green design is sustainability and sustainbility is what green design is . Read More
Which promotes sustainability?
Encouraging reuse of resources promotes sustainability. encouraging recycling programs Read More
Why is sustainability important to Hawaii?
sustainability is important to hawaii because hawaiis ecosystem is fragile and It needs to be sustainable. Read More
Are baseballs sustainability?
What is the population of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA?
The population of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA is 60. Read More
What are examples of sustainability?
Sustainability occurs when a business or a farm does not have to go outside of itself for its needs. Examples of sustainability include a dairy farm that uses the manure to fertilize the fields that grow the crops the cattle eat that make the milk. Read More
What is ecosustainability?
Eco-sustainability is about having sustainable economic development perpetuated by sustainable consumption of natural resources, or ecological sustainability. Read More
What is the meaning of substainability?
Sustainability refers to processes that are enduring and environmentally friendly. For example, using solar energy is an example of sustainability. Read More
What is the difference between sustainability and recycling?
well when the the thingy goes to the thingy then the thingy is a recycle if the thingy stays as the thingy then is is sustainability Read More
What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?
What is the sustainability of cotton?
What is the price of Nintendo ds in India?
The Cost of Nintendo DS in India is Rs.6,400 (in Words) Rs. Six Thousand, Four Hundred. Read More
What is sustainability in technology and design?
sustainability is a factor ( to be kept in mind in technology and design) measured from repetetiveness/durability of process/reliability etc. Read More
What is a sustainability?
Sustainability is basically taking no more from nature than nature can replace. Man gets greedy and wants more. He cant have it. Read More
Latin word for sustainability?
The Latin word for sustainability is the word sostenibilita. The Spanish word for this word is sostenibilidad and the German word is nachhaltigkeit. Read More
How do you write Rs. 8240000000 in words?
Eight billion twenty four million Rupees. Read More
Is the 2013 Audi TT-RS front wheel drive rear wheel drive or four wheel drive?
The 2013 Audi TT-RS has all wheel drive. Read More
Is the 2012 Audi TT-RS front wheel drive rear wheel drive or four wheel drive?
The 2012 Audi TT-RS has all wheel drive. Read More
Is the 2014 Audi RS-7 front wheel drive rear wheel drive or four wheel drive?
Is the 2014 Audi RS-5 front wheel drive rear wheel drive or four wheel drive?
Is the 2013 Audi RS-5 front wheel drive rear wheel drive or four wheel drive?
Why is sustainability important in nature?
Sustainability is important in nature, since it is the ability for ecosystems remain the generally the same in terms of natural processes, life, etc. If sustainability does not happen, then ecosystems will change and alter in negative ways and some of our resources, such as water may not be there. Read More
How does biodiversity contribute to the sustainability of an ecosystem?
Biodiversity contributes to the sustainability of an ecosystem because different species in a given ecosystem depend on each other. Read More
Is profit maximization necessarily the best path to sustainability?
No.. Sustainability requires the adoption of Triple bottom line which includes profit, people and plant. Read More
What is the disadvantage of environmental sustainability?
What could be Dubai's downfall?
Is polyester sustainable?
What rhymes with sustainability?
What are the ratings and certificates for A Passion for Sustainability - 2008 TV?
A Passion for Sustainability - 2008 TV is rated/received certificates of: USA:TV-G Read More
What are four major Islamic contributions to the world?
Some of the major Islamic contributions to the world include multiple cultivation of crops and research for food sustainability. It also includes the use of paper and the use of surgical instruments. Read More