Sustainability is a multi-faceted and ongoing concept that aims to balance environmental, economic and social considerations to ensure a more sustainable future for all. The process requires collaboration, innovation and a commitment to creating a better future for ourselves and generations to come.
A sustainable system sustains from within the system and produces more energy than it consumes and enough in surplus to maintain, or at least to construct and maintain that system over the course of its lifetime. Natural systems are permanent and change and evolve over time, creating and sustaining life everywhere on the planet.
Conducting energy audits are paramount to identify areas where efficiency can be improved, as well as implementing energy-efficient technologies and practices in homes, buildings and transportation.
Balance
Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain ecological balance while meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses a wide range of practices and principles aimed at reducing the negative impact humans have on the environment and ensuring a more secure future for all. It involves using resources in a responsible and mindful manner so that they are not depleted or damaged beyond repair. Essentially, it's about finding a way to live that allows us to take care of the planet we call home, while also taking care of ourselves and our communities.
It's important to strike a balance between economic growth, social care and environmental stewardship.
Environmental Stewardship
Reducing our impact on the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations. This is achieved by practices like reducing energy consumption and using renewable energy sources, managing waste and promoting recycling and composting to reduce landfill and conserve water and natural resources, promoting biodiversity and finding a way to live in harmony with the natural world, while also meeting our human needs and aspirations.
Social Care
Creating healthy and equitable communities where everyone has access to basic needs like education, healthcare, safe living conditions, social justice and equality.
Economic Growth
Creating, supporting and promoting local businesses and finding ways to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social well-being. The Circular Economy is a philosophy that seeks to create products and systems that are regenerative. Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) design considers all aspects of the life cycle of a product, from the raw materials to the end-of-life disposal, in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them before eventually recovering and regenerating materials at the end of the lifecycle. This approach aims to reduce waste and pollution, conserve natural resources and create jobs and economic growth.
Investment
By investing in sustainable development, education, green infrastructure and social welfare, a more equitable future can be secured.
Sustainable Development
Governments promote sustainable development by providing incentives to businesses that incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. This include tax credits for companies that utilise renewable energy, or grants for businesses that reduce their carbon footprint.
Education and Training
By investing in education and training, individuals acquire the knowledge and skills needed to build a sustainable economy, which includes training in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture like Permaculture, food forestry and environmental management.
Green Infrastructure
Cities have to invest in green infrastructure, such as public transportation, bike lanes, parks and plant trees and communal food gardens to reduce the carbon footprint and improve quality of life.
Social Welfare
Governments to provide social safety nets, affordable housing, healthcare, education and programs that protect vulnerable communities.
Call to Action
Responsible living typically starts with mindfulness and is built on 're' words used to promote sustainability.
Here are a few examples:
- Reduce - Use fewer resources by cutting down on waste and consumption.
- Reuse - Find new ways to use products instead of throwing them away.
- Recycle - Recycle materials such as paper, plastic and glass.
- Repurpose - Find new uses for items that may have been discarded otherwise.
- Repair - Fix broken items, instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.
- Refill - Refill containers with dry foods and cleaning products, instead of buying new ones.
- Replant - Plant new trees and plants to help combat deforestation.
- Renewable - Use renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.
- Recharge - Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposable ones.
- Rethink - Think critically about our actions and impact.
- Reconnect - Connect with nature and appreciate the natural world.
- Re-educate - Learn about sustainable practices and make changes in behaviour.
- Redesign - Design homes and gardens, products and systems to be more sustainable.
- Reclaim - Reclaim and reuse materials that would otherwise be discarded.
- Regenerate - Rebuild ecosystems and natural habitats damaged by human activity.
- Reinvigorate - Recommitment to take action to protect the environment.
- Reorient - Change goals.
- Reorganise - Change habits, lives and communities to be more sustainable.
- Reestablish - Improve connection to family, community and the environment.
Collectively taking small, continuous steps to transition from the current consumptive, extractive, destructive economy and lifestyle habits, based on endless growth, efficiency and profit, to Biophilic and Permaculture design and a sustainable, circular economy that regenerates rather than degrades our planet, are some of the most meaningful changes we can make as we enter "The Age of Resilience".
Further Reading
Please refer to the separate Articles on this site for reviews of different aspects of sustainability :
- Appropriate Design : Permaculture and Biophilic Design for Sustainability, Health and Resilience.
- Health : Clean Air, Clean Water, Clean Food for Planetary and Human Health.
- Resilience : Mindfulness, Complexity, Diversity, Adaptability and Balance.
- Flex Spaces : Sustainable Construction and Modular, Multi-Purpose Spaces.
- Food : Healthy Soil and Healthy Food for Healthy Bodies.
- Textiles : Sustainable Transformation in the Textile Industry : Heimtex 2023/2024.
- Architects and Designers : Influence and Responsibility.