Five Sustainability Areas & Their Role in Environmental Protection
Broad Areas of Sustainability
Sustainability is the ability to fulfill the demands of the current generation with the help of available resources devoid of causing any issues for future generations. Sustainability is not just related to the environment; it connects with other sides covering the economy and the people. (1)
Sustainability Pillars
There are three sustainability pillars, regarded as Planet, People & Profit.
1- Planet
People use the land for agriculture. If you overuse the land, it will become unproductive for upcoming generations. Farmers need to take a few months’ breaks after harvesting their crops to maintain the soil quality.
2- People
The sustainability of people covers the welfare of workers in organizations. With the help of newly acquired skills, workers will perform useful operations. For instance, a company offers employee skill training programs on a bi-annual basis. Similarly, if the workers are given a conducive operational environment with flexible hours to work, the workers get pleased. Moreover, working in a stress-free and contented environment also improves productivity.
3- Profit
Sustainability in a thriving economy is based on properly implementing a specific set of resources so these resources can be utilized for a long duration. Furthermore, it also refers to organization growth and profit without causing any negative impact on the Planet and People (pillars of sustainability).
Environmental science and sustainability help balance an operation’s revenue and influence on the surroundings. For instance, a city has a diesel power plant that works round the clock, releases black smoke, and creates disturbing sounds. The power plant is indeed giving benefits through its continuous operations; however, air pollution and noise pollution are enough to cause long-term turmoil.
Areas of Sustainability
Sustainable development of a community works on five domains. These are profit (economic), people (socio-culture), planet (environment), Technology, and Public Policy. In case one of these pillars is overlooked, it is impossible to maintain a sustainable community.
For instance, there is a community with a set of residents with access to basic things like groceries, parks, and work opportunities; however, there are no constant communication lines for cellular phones, landlines, and internet connections. The technological domain is missing, so we cannot call it sustainable, as people do not have the opportunity to communicate with other communities and progress.
Suppose the community, as mentioned above, has abundant jobs from new companies, transportation facilities, and contented people. In that case, unluckily, the companies do not have a public policy for waste disposal. The end result will be the destruction of the community and the depletion of resources because waste is not recycled or discarded. In short, communities can progress only if all the domains work correctly.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability relies on a highly responsive environment to evade the degradation or reduction of natural resources. Sustainability practice ensures that current requirements are carried out without putting the capability of upcoming generations to meet their necessities at risk. (2)
The natural environment can revitalize and maintain its practicality. If a tree falls, it cannot only decompose but also give nutrients to the land so seedlings can grow in the future. If nature is given a chance to survive alone, its natural rejuvenating power helps to take care of it. Human beings are liable for the use of natural resources and bringing change in the climate. It is the need of the hour that human beings apply the methods of environmental sustainability so that natural resources can be used in the upcoming years.
Environment Activism
Environmental activism covers a wide range of individuals and organizations operating in conservational, social, political, and scientific fields to address Environmental issues. These organizations and individuals are part of the green movement; however, they do not have a political agenda or affiliation. (3)
Environmental activism shares the same ideology of finding practical solutions to environmental issues. Ecological activists can belong to any profession that works to save the environment. Environmentalism is based on three approaches. These are
- Changed Focused Activism
- Solution Driven Activism
- Revolutionary Activism
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity for human civilization and the Biosphere of Earth to co-exist. (4) Sustainability is related to unified societal, economic, and environmental domains. In 2015, UN sustainable development goals were presented. These goals were applicable to save the beautiful planet, end poverty, and make sure through worldwide efforts that people will have prosperity and peaceful life.
All nations admire the 2030 agenda, and they are committed to working to end AIDS, hunger, poverty, and unfairness against girls and women. The SDG goals (higher education, hunger, poverty, gender equality, sanitation, well-being, economic growth, affordable energy, sustainable cities, peace, justice, responsible consumption, and climate action) need to achieve by bringing together media, businesses, governments, local NGO’s and higher education institutions to perk up the standard of living till the year 2030.
Social Issues
In order to develop sustainable cities, a procedure based on social sustainability is required that can endorse well-being by considering the requirements of people living and working in certain places. (5) Social sustainability joins the physical realm design with the social world design.
If you overlook the requirements of employees in organizations and people living in the community, our actions negatively impact sustainability. It is the reason the UN sets up SDG goals, and every country is dedicated to dealing with social issues such as (8.1)
- Poverty and derivation
- Safety issues & Crime
- Segregation and inequality
- Substandard lifestyle
- Social exclusion
- Unfair labor price
- Youth unemployment
In sequence to solve these issues, governments and employers should focus on the rights of employees, such as treating employees well, giving them fair pay for their work, flexible hours to work, skill development, provision of safety equipment, health benefits, and friendly work environment without any harassment. Treating workers fairly will make the employees loyal and give long-term benefits to the company as well.
Communities should provide equal employment opportunities without bias to sort out social issues. When equal opportunities are available without barriers, the quality of life improves. And you can achieve real social sustainability.
Urban Planning
Urban planning is based on recognizing, examining and proposing strategic and technical solutions to resolve environmental and socio-economic confronts of human settlement. (8) Urban growth is a fundamental tendency revealed through a severe increase in cities population and unrestrained urban spread out. As a result, many urban problems come into sight, like energy and food supply, sustainable transportation services, and social and technical infrastructure. In the case of extensive urbanization, complicated worldwide trends like climate change, resource exhaustion, pollution, and economic transformations are induced. To maintain the quality of urban life, government commences urban planning by covering different disciplines, such as Environmental Science, transportation, engineering, architecture, biology, material science, finance, accounting, government, and economic development. Practical and ground-breaking innovations are part of this urban planning.
Sustainable land and urban planning play a vital role in the welfare of communities and people. Environmental-friendly planning helps shape urban areas into highly efficient and healthier spaces. Transportation, wind and solar energy sources, open spaces, greenways, mixed-used developments, green housing, and buildings are some of the sustainable solutions to urban planning issues.
Regional Planning
Patrick Geddes introduced the very conception of regional planning. He presented a synoptic idea of folk, work, and place to show the association between socio-cultural and economic welfare. With the beginning of cultured settlement, regional policies and plans are intact. Nowadays, regional plans are propagated for metropolitan areas as well. The flourishing accomplishment of regional plans can be examined in Chicago, New York, Paris, and London, as all these states have gained great benefits from their past efforts related to regional planning and Environment impact assessment. (9)
Effectual regional planning is required when facing economic and social inequities and environmental degradation. For managing and monitoring data, highly powerful latest tools (visioning computer-based simulation and geographic information system) will help overcome obstacles to valuable regional planning. Still, these tools are not the alternative to political will, imaginative planning, and conformity to how future regions will be.
Environment (10)
The environment is the gift of nature that supports nurturing eco-friendly life on this planet. An Environment covers non-living and living things like water, soil, plants, and animals which acclimatize themselves according to their surroundings. An ecosystem includes all non-living and living things within the environment. The ecosystem is the base of the Biosphere that defines the environmental health on Earth.
Environmental Consultant
Companies are eager to upgrade the positive impact on the environment. Therefore, they get the support of an environmental consultant to address basic environmental issues like air quality, soil contamination, waste management, and water pollution.
Environmental consultant serves businesses and private and public industries and offers sustainable solutions concerning public works, health compliance, property acquisition, safety regulations, energy efficiency, infrastructure, construction, and many more.
How Does Canada Overcome Climate Change Issues?
The environment is negatively influenced when sustainability measures are not followed. The same thing happened in Canada when the excessive emission of gases brought severe climate changes. In order to protect the Canadian environment, authorities passed an act to fight against air pollutants. (10.1)
The Canadian government has proscribed the development of new power plants based on coal just to handle the greenhouse gas discharge. Environmental law is in action concerning the low automobile emission and effective use of fuel.
To fulfill energy requirements, Canada depends on coal mines. Still, the country is conscious of climate change issues. Since 2001, the government has passed 965$ million for projects related to soil quality, climate change, water quality, and air quality.
Sustainability Initiatives
For environment and planet health, businesses must pay attention to green initiatives relevant to employees, products, and workspace. Every society knows sustainable life is possible if the planet is healthy and green. It is the reason; almost 1.3 billion Environmentaljobs rely on the ecosystems of Earth. (11)
Going Green Concept
These days, the going green concept has gained recognition. It refers to wise decisions that each and every person can make to maintain a healthy environment. It is related to overcoming waste and contributing to preserving the Earth’s habitat and natural resources. Eco-friendly products and green initiatives have a positive long-term impact on the land. Every business and household can play its part by
- Getting a list of Green Things
- Buying eco-friendly manufacturing goods
- Selecting new Energy Sources
- Selecting energy-saving plumbing systems and appliances
- Appropriate discard of biodegradable products
- Purchasing eco-friendly products
- Choosing organic food
- Reducing paper use in workplaces
- Buying green clean-up items
The Reward of Green Initiatives
- Economic Gain
Upgradable energy sources decrease the consumption of energy and consequently low electricity charges. Even many states incentivize people and industries to develop green buildings and homes.
- Health Benefits
Going green is the best sustainability initiative to reduce environmental toxins and pollutants. As a result, clean air is available for breathing.
- Environmental Advantage
An eco-friendly environment depends on the sensible choices of human beings. Responsible use of land, organic farming, and sustainable habitat help overcome gas emissions and less air pollution.
- Brand Benefits
If a brand states that its products are environmentally friendly, then people prefer to use them. When emotional gains are involved, brands get a positive comeback from customers.
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Sources:
nbs.net/articles/what-is-social-sustainability
