Concrete Definition Of Environmental Sustainability Is Impor

15concrete Definition Of Environment Sustainability Is Important Becau

Concrete definition of environment sustainability is important because it primarily affects the many aspects of an individual’s life as a whole. In this study, the environment will be used as the pillar of sustainability, for it is the most basic natural capital which determines the behavior of human interaction both in the economic and social aspect. It is very essential for people to understand the concrete definition of environment sustainability. As there are a lot of writers who attempted to define this, there should be an exact and concrete explanation of what it is and why is it important. This study will attempt to recognize this concrete definition for environment sustainability as well as its importance, with the help of resources that strongly suggest not only of its real definition, but also, of its significance.

One article defines environment sustainability as the “maintenance of the natural capital”, which will lead to the understanding that the conservation of the environment is involved. Thus, it is essential to make a concrete perception of its definition and importance. Many writers and environmentalists have struggled to define environmental sustainability in the contemporary world. Primarily, the global definition of environmental sustainability is said to be sustainable development. This definition of environmental sustainability denotes sustainable economic growth, which is an ultimate oxymoron.

No kind or form of economic growth can progress indefinitely – in addition, a majority of economic growth in the contemporary society is crucially degrading to the environment. Most people perceive it to be environmentally sustainable and attain economic growth at the same time. Environmental sustainability has also been seen to be the accountable interaction with the environment without degradation of the natural resources and paving way for long-term environmental quality. Practicing environmental sustainability aids in ensuring that the needs of the current generation are satisfactory without compromising the needs of the future generation. The definition of environmental sustainability, however, hinges on discerning between continuous growth and development.

Growth, in this case, implies a material increase while development signifies qualitative improvement. Growth and development, however, follow different principles. Planet earth develops gradually without growing. Robert Goodland, in his article The Concept of Environmental Sustainability defines environmental sustainability as the “maintenance of natural capital”. This brief definition of environmental sustainability is the most pertinent and is gaining adherents, the point to note in this definition is that environmental science is a natural science notion, and it subscribes to biophysical laws.

This article focuses on synthesizing the concept of sustainability and its relationship to the environment. The synthesis goes on to sustainability and the environment based on a video, an advert and an article. The synthesis concludes by exploring the similarities of concepts and issues and also highlights the major differences in the resources used. Sustainability of life is affected by environmental, economic and social aspects of life. In my synthesis, I will focus on the environment as a pillar of sustainability.

It is important to pay attention to the environment as a pillar of the sustainability because it is the primary determinant of life sustainability and it determines the economic and social behavior of human interaction with the environment. The environment provides the resources through which economic activities develop by means of social interaction. A deeper look into the environment for sustainability may provide solutions to global concerns such as food shortage, a short lifespan experienced with the industrial revolution and poor and malfunctioning governing systems that lead to human suffering. My resources in writing the synthesis based on the environment as a pillar of sustenance are a TED talk’s video by Al Gore.

The video talk is based on three questions; do we need change, can we change and will we change. These three questions posed by Al Gore are eye-opening in the aspect of climate change and the future of the entire world. The article, Editorial-What is Sustainable Development? Goals, Indicators, Values and Practice by Robert W. Kates on Environmental Magazine will be another resource in my writing.

The article enlightens on ensuring sustainable development where present needs are met without compromising the living conditions of future generations. The final resource for the thesis is an advert by JWT Agencies focusing on automotive pollution. The advertisement has the tagline Mountains without Mountain Water without Water. This advert communicates the essence of managing pollution and conserving the available resources. The concepts that are common in each of the three sources include climate change, pollution, human activities, global warming and sustainable development.

Paper For Above instruction

Environmental sustainability is a vital aspect of global development that focuses on maintaining the health and vitality of natural resources for present and future generations. Its core principle involves safeguarding the environment's capacity to support life, which includes conserving biodiversity, managing natural resources responsibly, and reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The significance of understanding the concrete definition of environmental sustainability lies in its profound impact on the ecological, economic, and social dimensions of human life.

One prominent definition of environmental sustainability emphasizes the maintenance of natural capital—the stock of natural resources such as forests, water, soil, and air that provide essential ecosystem services. Robert Goodland (1995) articulated this concept succinctly by defining it as "the maintenance of natural capital." This perspective underscores that the environment is a foundational pillar that sustains the fabric of life, providing resources vital for economic activities and social development (Meadows, 1992). Conservation efforts aimed at preserving biodiversity, reducing pollution, and mitigating climate change are all actions rooted in this understanding.

Despite widespread acknowledgment, the interpretation of environmental sustainability often conflates it with sustainable development, which aims for economic growth that does not compromise environmental health. However, true environmental sustainability contradicts the notion of indefinite economic growth, given the finite capacity of Earth's ecosystems. Many experts argue that the pursuit of continuous material growth is incompatible with environmental sustainability, which instead advocates for qualitative development and equitable use of resources (Daly, 1990).

Furthermore, the integration of environmental sustainability into policy and societal behavior is critical for addressing global challenges. For example, climate change—a direct consequence of human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial pollution—poses an existential threat to life on Earth (IPCC, 2014). Recognizing the environment as a pillar of sustainability requires transformative change in how societies produce, consume, and relate to natural resources.

Al Gore's TED talk, "The Climate Reality," exemplifies the urgency of this transformation by posing three pivotal questions: "Do we need change?", "Can we change?", and "Will we change?" These questions illuminate the critical role of human agency in combating climate change and stress that collective action and awareness are essential for sustainable futures (Gore, 2013). Gore emphasizes that change is both possible and necessary, through technological innovations, policy shifts, and individual behavioral adjustments.

The article by Robert W. Kates, "What is Sustainable Development? Goals, Indicators, Values and Practice," further elaborates on the importance of balancing current needs with future well-being. Kates advocates for sustainable development strategies that incorporate environmental, social, and economic indicators, emphasizing that sustainability is a normative goal rooted in values of fairness, prudence, and responsibility (Kates et al., 2005). His analysis highlights that achieving environmental sustainability demands aligning economic practices with ecological limits, thereby fostering resilience and adaptive capacity.

The environmental message conveyed through advertising, such as JWT Agencies' campaign "Mountains without Mountain, Water without Water," underscores the critical importance of resource conservation and pollution control. This imagery emphasizes that human actions—like pollution and deforestation—directly threaten natural landscapes and the availability of critical resources. Such visual representations evoke emotional and moral responses that can catalyze behavioral change, reinforcing the role of societal consciousness in achieving sustainability (Hines, Hungerford, & Tomera, 1987).

Despite differing approaches, the common themes in these sources—climate change, pollution, human intervention, and the need for systemic change—highlight the interconnectedness of environmental issues. They reinforce that environmental sustainability is not solely a scientific concern but a moral and political imperative that requires collective effort at local, national, and global levels.

In conclusion, understanding the concrete definition of environmental sustainability reveals its foundational role in preserving life-support systems and ensuring equitable resource distribution. Addressing global challenges necessitates redefining progress away from material accumulation towards qualitative development that respects ecological boundaries. Awareness, education, and policy reforms are essential to embed sustainability into societal values, enabling a transition towards a resilient and sustainable future for all.

References

• Daly, H. E. (1990). Toward some operational principles of sustainable development. Ecological Economics, 2(1), 1-6.
• Gore, A. (2013). The Climate Reality. TEDx Talk.
• Hines, J. M., Hungerford, H. R., & Tomera, A. N. (1987). Analysis and synthesis of research on responsible environmental behavior: A meta-analysis. The Journal of Environmental Education, 18(2), 1-8.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report.
• Kates, R. W., Parris, T. M., & Leiserowitz, A. A. (2005). What is sustainable development? Goals, indicators, values, and practice. Environment, 47(3), 8-21.
• Meadows, D. (1992). Indicators and information systems for sustainable development: A report to the Balaton Group. Hartland Four Corners, VT.
• Goodland, R. (1995). The concept of environmental sustainability. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 26(1), 1-24.
• Levy, M. A. (2001). Measuring nations’ environmental sustainability. Environmental Performance Measurement: The Global Report, 12-23.