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What Is Sustainability and Why Is It Important?
What is sustainability? Is it just a buzzword? A new marketing trick? Or a lifestyle? The word sustainability is commonly used in the media, politics, and advertising. So, if you’re trying to understand what sustainability means and why sustainability is important, that’s great news. In truth, sustainability is a complicated concept. In this post, we’ll answer the questions: what is sustainability, what does sustainability mean in everyday life, and why is sustainability important? Let’s jump in! What is Sustainability? Still asking, what is sustainability? It’s not a simple term to define, but here’s our simplest explanation of what sustainability means. What is sustainability? Sustainability means meeting the needs and requirements of the present without limiting future generation’s ability to meet their needs and demands. In other words, sustainability means living within the limitations of the planet, society, and economy. The Three Pillars of Sustainability Sustainability divides into three categories: environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability. The key thing to remember is that all three pillars are deeply connected. For example, damage to the environment through deforestation is linked to more frequent natural disasters, such as flooding, landslides, and drought. Natural disasters have a huge impact on people’s lives and social security. They also impact the economy because individuals or governments need to rebuild damaged urban areas, fund emergency aid, and pay for medical care. Environmental Sustainability What is environmental sustainability? Environmental sustainability means living within the natural resources of the planet. To live an environmentally sustainable lifestyle, we need to consume resources at an equal rate to the rate at which they can be produced. Let’s imagine you have a 20-litre supply of drinking water. Your water tank will refill every ten days. Drinking 4 litres of water each day would be unsustainable because you’re going to run out after just five days. Therefore, limiting your water consumption to 2-litres of water per day would be a sustainable solution. Now imagine that your water tank is the world’s supply of drinking water. Using freshwater faster than it can be replaced is unsustainable because it will cause water shortages in the future. Social Sustainability What is sustainability in society? Social sustainability means living in a way that can be maintained in the long term. A rapidly expanding city that’s mostly powered by fossil fuels and produces little of its own goods is unsustainable in the long term. Meanwhile, a gradually expanding city that produces most of its own energy, food, and other goods could be sustained for generations. Economic Sustainability Economic sustainability is the trickiest of the three pillars. What does sustainability mean in an economic sense? Generally, the term applies to larger companies and nations and their ability to use profit to drive the economy. In an economically sustainable society, the profits from businesses and government would pay citizens' wages, fund public services, and enable more social and economic development. Also Read: What is Corporate Social Responsibility? What Does Sustainability Mean in Everyday Life? Let me give you an example. Heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy and petrol is considered unsustainable. Because we use the resources faster than they can be replaced, it limits access to future generations. Additionally, the damage caused to the environment by extracting fossil fuels and the pollution caused by burning fossil fuels will impact the health and livelihood of future generations. On the other hand, sunlight and wind are renewable energy sources that can’t be used up. Likewise, the manufacturing and maintenance of solar panels and wind turbines have a relatively low impact. Especially when you compare to the environmental damage and pollution that fossil fuels cause. Therefore, powering our homes, offices, and vehicles with renewable energy is sustainable. Also Read: Six tips to make your office eco-friendly. To give you another example, modern society’s current dependence on single-use plastics is unsustainable. Why? Because: Plastic is mostly made from non-renewable resources such as crude oil and coal. Plastic takes hundreds, or even thousands, of years to break down, taking up large areas of landfill sites. Plastic releases toxic chemicals into the soil, oceans, and waterways. These chemicals include ‘forever chemicals’ (persistent organic pollutants or POPs), which are commonly found in PVC plastics and don’t break down. Plastic waste, therefore, impacts the quality of essential resources such as water which will affect future generations. At the same time, irresponsible plastic disposal regularly threatens wildlife species. Also Read: Eight reasons to take a reusable water bottle everywhere. Why is Sustainability Important? Despite the huge debates surrounding sustainability, the reason that it’s so important is quite simple. It’s impossible to maintain the current quality of human life, biodiversity, and natural ecosystems without making sustainable changes. Eventually, fossil fuels and freshwater supplies will run out, wildlife species will become extinct, and natural resources polluted. That’s why it’s so important to start living more sustainably, as individuals and as societies, right now. Eco-Friendly Living vs Sustainability: What’s the difference? What is sustainability and what is eco-friendly living? Sustainability, as we defined above, is a complex concept that includes a range of activities. But its focus is on balancing economic and social development with the natural environment while maintaining resources for future generations. Eco-friendly living is much simpler. It means living in a way that does not harm the planet. Often, choosing to live an eco-friendly lifestyle and purchasing eco-friendly products will be more sustainable. But the two terms are not 100% interchangeable. Also Read: Top ten eco-friendly living tips. Did this post help you understand what sustainability means and why sustainability is important? We hope so! For more advice and tips on living sustainably, subscribe to the FLASKE Blog or check out our eco-friendly products.
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Top Ten Eco-Friendly Living Tips
Whether you're going green to save money, improve your health, or help the environment, every step towards eco-friendly living is a step in the right direction. If you're new to the concept of eco-friendly living, then you might not know where to start. Don't be discouraged. Adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle is a journey that will take time to adjust to. Here are ten eco-friendly living tips to help you on your way. Top Ten Tips for Eco-Friendly Living Living an eco-friendly lifestyle is not as hard as you think. Use these ten easy eco-friendly living tips to become more sustainable in your daily life! Ditch Single-use Plastic Look around your home. Take note of how many single-use plastic items you see. Single-use plastic is everywhere, especially in our kitchens, but reducing your dependence on single-use plastic is easier than you might think. Bringing a reusable cotton tote when you go shopping and purchasing loose fruits and veggies will significantly reduce the plastic in your home. You can also stop buying bottled water. Instead, take a reusable water bottle everywhere you go. Buy Eco-Friendly Living Products Everything you buy has a carbon footprint. If you want to adopt eco-friendly living principles, you'll need to start shopping more carefully. Try searching for environmentally conscious companies that sell eco-friendly living products, such as reusable water bottles and plastic-free cleaning products. Other eco-friendly products to look out for include natural toiletries and alternatives to single-use plastics. Repair, Reuse, Recycle You've probably heard of the Three R's before, but do you use them in your daily life? When something is broken, take it to your local repair shop before putting it in the trash. And, if something can't be fixed, can you find another use for it? Can you upcycle it? Remember that recycling is an energy-intensive process that should be a last resort. So, always repair and reuse before recycling. Drive Less If it's possible to travel by public transport, carshare, cycle, or walk, do so instead of driving. You can reduce your environmental impact by driving less or switching to an electric-powered vehicle. People who live on public transport routes or near a city centre may not need a car at all. Alternatively, choose a fuel-efficient or electric vehicle when you need to drive. Make sure you inflate the tyres properly and reduce your speed to the optimum level for your car. Reduce Food Waste In developed countries, we waste millions of tonnes of food every year. Aside from wasting your money, throwing out tons of food leads to increased greenhouse gases released from landfill sites. Storing fresh produce correctly can help you reduce the amount of food you waste. So can a set of reusable food storage containers. Try putting your leftovers from dinner into a reusable food pot and eating them for lunch the next day. Eat Less Meat You don't have to switch to a 100% plant-based diet to live an eco-friendlier lifestyle. But reducing the amount of meat on your plate, particularly red meats, is one of our eco-friendly living tips. It's no secret that animal agriculture is highly unsustainable and a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. What's more, regularly eating low-quality meats isn't great for your health. Taking meat off the menu a few days a week will help to keep the planet clean and your body healthy. Switch to Renewable Energy Renewable energy is now widely available and highly affordable. Switching to a 100% renewable energy supplier may save you money and help you live more sustainably. Plus, if you own your property, installing solar panels on your roof lets you benefit from free electricity! Shop Locally Clothes, food, electronics, or other items, the closer to home you buy your products, the fewer miles they will have to travel. Transporting food and other commercial products increases their carbon footprint. So, support your local economy and buy locally produced goods whenever you can. Say No to On-The-Go Plastics Like reducing the single-use plastics in our household, eliminate the single-use plastics that you use away from home. Saying no to disposable plastics can be challenging, but it's easy if you're organised. Remember to travel with a refillable water bottle and take an insulated travel coffee mug whenever you want a takeaway coffee. Bring your own reusable bag, buy snacks in recyclable packaging, or sit to eat instead of getting a takeaway. Also Read: How to tackle waste with your morning coffee routine. Grow Your Own Growing fruits and vegetables at home is a rewarding way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. If you have a back garden or an allotment, you're already set to grow! Growing your own food isn't limited to homeowners though. Anyone living in an apartment or renting a flat short-term can try growing herbs, shallow-rooted veggies such as spring onions, lettuce, and leeks, or fast-growing fruits like strawberries and raspberries. All you need is some window boxes, hanging baskets or small pots. Want more tips and advice for eco-friendly living? Why not subscribe to the FLASKE Blog so that you don't miss out on our eco-friendly living tips and sustainable product updates.
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