In 1983, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland was appointed by the United Nations to run the World Commission on Environment and Development.
After four years of research and consultations, the commission published a report titled “Our Common Future,” which defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own needs.”
In short, sustainability is the ability to survive, in our case on planet Earth, continually. In the 21st century, when people or the media talk about sustainability, they mean the coexistence of us humans with Earth’s biosphere.
Sustainability comprises three pillars: economic (profits), environmental (planet), and social (people). It acknowledges that ecological, social, and economic must come together to create long-lasting prosperity.
Sustainability’s main objective is to maintain a balance among natural resources that enables humans and other species to coexist on Earth while the planet supports that coexistence.
We often use the term sustainability to describe actions people take to reduce pressure on natural resources without depleting them. Items described as sustainable can be reusable; don’t use chemicals and plastic that hurt the planet during the production process, and don’t add to non-recyclable waste.
When describing sustainable improvements, we often talk about:
- over-exploitation of natural resources (Producing non-recyclable items use a lot of natural resources to be produced and add waste.),
- lifestyle (Lifestyle changes, choices people make that can contribute to building a sustainable future.),
- investments (Are the companies you invest in align with your sustainable values? Are they making progressive, sustainable changes? Maybe investing in local businesses is more in keeping with your values?),
- minimalism (No more unnecessary purchasing.),
- technological development (How technology can influence our sustainable future? Electric cars, renewable energy sources, etc.),
- energy (Natural and renewable.),
- manufacturing of goods (How are the goods you purchase manufactured? How far do those goods travel before they reach you, the customer?).
Economic Sustainability means that communities worldwide have access to the financial resources they need to meet their needs, such as a secure income. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case in many parts of the world.
Social Sustainability means that human rights and basic needs are met. People have easy access to enough resources to keep their families and communities healthy and secure, with leaders who represent all people and protect their personal, labour, and cultural rights from discrimination. Regrettably, countries are regressing on social sustainability in many places worldwide, including Europe.
Sustainability emerged as an idea in response to public dissatisfaction with the corporate world’s short-term, profit-driven goals, which kept investors satisfied while the environment worldwide was deteriorating.
Despite the high upfront costs, businesses have shifted focus from short-term profits to sustainable solutions. At the end of the day, what is the point of making profits if our planet is unlivable?
However, we must remember that sustainability and sustainable solutions must benefit all of us, not only the citizens of wealthy countries. We are in an ecological crisis together, and our solutions need to be implemented globally equally.
You might have noticed that “sustainability” is often plastered in mainstream media. Celebrities love patronising us, “little folk”, and demand mindfulness and sustainability in our everyday lives. In reality, when you have the money, being sustainable (I know some very wealthy people who, apart from driving Tesla, care very little about sustainability, and Tesla is just a status item for them. That example was given before Tesla became a symbol of destruction and social decay.) is an easy choice. However, for the rest of us, sustainability often means introducing small changes and taking small steps to become a part of the solution that will significantly impact the environment around us (i.e. swap your bottle of soap for a bar of soap. On average, a shower gel bottle takes 450 years to decompose!).
For me, sustainability means that my daily actions shouldn’t cause harm or leave irreparable damage. However, like most of us, I’m doing my sustainability bit on a budget, and the swaps and improved sustainable choices I introduce are small but consistent. Moreover, changing your life and focusing on sustainability after years of careless, wasteful practices requires building new, long-lasting habits. Small but consistent steps should be taken to ensure our internal systems and lifestyles aren’t overwhelmed and do not revert to old habits.
The minor changes everyone of us can quickly introduce without breaking the bank include:
- Buying loose fruits and vegetables instead of packaged ones.
- Reducing consumption of dairy and meat products.
- Cooking more at home instead of ordering takeaways.
- Using public transport, walking or cycling whenever it’s possible.
- Introducing a minimalistic lifestyle to your household and buying only what you need and what you know you will keep for a long time. Before you purchase anything, ask yourself if you will be comfortable keeping this thing in your life.
- Buying second-hand whenever possible or swapping clothes with friends.
- Trying to replace plastic with bioplastic, glass and aluminium.
- Repairing items instead of replacing them.
Let me know how you get along, and don’t forget to share your sustainable swaps that are good for the environment as well as for your pocket.
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