Sustainability: Take 2

What is Sustainability? 2.0

Sustainability is a process. This is not something that has an ultimate outcome and then it is over. True sustainability is a way of life and an ongoing set of choices. The word sustainable inherently has the word sustain in it, this means that the environment must be able to sustain itself. The reason the environment is so important is because this is the place where everything, not just humans lives. So it is important to maintain the natural cycles that allow change, yet sustain the ecosystem.

A common misconception about sustainability is that it is something that can be achieved. A society can become more sustainable, but unless the actions are ongoing then it is not sustainable. Sustainability implies the use of long term plans, goals, and actions that provide equal opportunities for future generations, indefinitely. The vagueness of the word sustainability allows it to be modified to different cultures, ecosystems, and ideas.

The idea of sustainability includes other initiatives such as conservation, preservation, and restoration. The ideas of conservation and preservation are essential, to observe how nature deals with certain situations, so that humans can re-learn how to mimic nature. This is also necessary to prevent further habitats and species from being destroyed. Once this re-learning has taken place, or at least started to, then restoration can begin. Restoration is possible even more important in striving to be more sustainable as a species. This concept encompasses the idea of trying to remedy past mistakes of overuse, or simply damaging the environment. Biodiversity is essential for maintaing or sustaining the ecosystem’s natural ability to adjust to change. Preserving the integrity of certain things such as soil and water systems is essential, because without maintaining the basics of an environment, the ecosystem cannot replenish itself.

Sustainability is also a mindset, overcoming the idea of human exceptionalism. This idea implies that humans are better than other species and that humans are isolated from the environment. However, through the use of machinery humans have actually had an even greater impact on the environment that many other species. With the ability to travel great distances, such as oceans away, humans have also been responsible for introducing many non-native species, causing native populations to undergo immense pressure. This extra pressure is simply due to carelessness and arrogance.

Sustainability is a form of knowing. Especially a knowing of how the environment works and how to fit into the natural system, rather than trying to step outside of the environmental limits. Although these limits may seem detrimental to the human race, they are a way of keeping each species in check. With the industrial revolution, humans has been able to overcome many of these environmental limits. The only problem with this is that humans have overcome these boundaries with no regard to the consequences. Respect for the environment combined with knowledge of environmental impacts is crucial to sustainability because if you lack respect then there is no motivation to become sustainable. The earth is an amazing ecosystem that provides a tremendous amount of resources, which can be utilized by people. However, if the environment is not cared for then it will no longer be able to provide these resources for people and other living beings. This is what environmental sustainability is all about, maintain the environment in order to continue to be able to sustain life.