- "Experts often describe sustainability as having three dimensions (or pillars): environmental, economic, and social"
The study of the ways in which humans can live in harmony with the natural environment, by balancing economic, social, and environmental concerns.
Climate change: The long-term shift in average weather patterns and its potential impact on the environment and human populations.
Renewable energy: Energy sources that can be continuously replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
Energy conservation: Reducing energy use through efficiency measures and changing behaviors.
Sustainable agriculture: Promoting practices that minimize environmental impact and maintain soil health for future generations.
Waste management: Reducing waste and properly disposing of materials to prevent environmental harm.
Water conservation: Strategies for reducing water use and protecting freshwater resources.
Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
Natural resource management: Balancing the use of natural resources with conservation efforts to ensure their long-term sustainability.
Corporate social responsibility: Businesses and organizations taking responsibility for their impact on society and the environment.
Sustainable transportation: Reducing the environmental impact of transportation through the use of alternative modes of transportation and fuel-efficient vehicles.
Ecological footprint: The impact of human activities on the environment, including the consumption of resources and the emissions of greenhouse gases.
Sustainable development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Environmental justice: Ensuring that all people, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to a healthy and safe environment.
Environmental policy: Laws and regulations that promote sustainability and protect the environment.
Ecosystem services: The benefits that humans derive from natural systems, such as air and water purification, and the regulation of climate and diseases.
Sustainable architecture: Designing buildings and spaces that minimize environmental impact and promote efficient resource use.
Circular economy: An economic system aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing the use of resources through reuse, recycling, and regeneration.
Cradle-to-cradle design: Designing products that can be completely recycled or biodegraded at the end of their useful life.
Carbon footprint: The amount of greenhouse gases emitted in producing a product, service, or activity.
Sustainable consumerism: Making informed choices as a consumer to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability.
Ecological Sustainability: Refers to the preservation and conservation of natural ecosystems, including their biodiversity, functionality, and resilience.
Economic Sustainability: Refers to the creation of a stable and prosperous economy that does not harm the environment or deplete resources.
Social Sustainability: Refers to the creation of a society that meets the needs of present and future generations by providing a high quality of life for all citizens.
Cultural Sustainability: Refers to the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity, heritage, and identity, and the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples.
Educational Sustainability: Refers to the development of an educational system that fosters critical thinking, innovation, and action towards sustainability.
Political Sustainability: Refers to the creation of a democratic and transparent governance system that promotes sustainability as a priority.
Technological Sustainability: Refers to the development and application of innovative technology that is environmentally-friendly and promotes sustainable practices.
Urban Sustainability: Refers to the creation and management of sustainable cities and urban communities that integrate environmental, social, and economic factors.
Agricultural Sustainability: Refers to the development of sustainable agricultural practices that promote the production of healthy and nutritious food, while protecting the environment and the welfare of farmers.
Energy Sustainability: Refers to the promotion of clean and renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and geothermal energy, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate the effects of climate change.
- "sustainability often focuses on countering major environmental problems, including climate change, loss of biodiversity, loss of ecosystem services, land degradation, and air and water pollution"
- "The idea of sustainability can guide decisions at the global, national, and individual levels"
- "A related concept is sustainable development, and the terms are often used to mean the same thing."
- "The economic dimension of sustainability is controversial. Scholars have discussed this under the concept of 'weak and strong sustainability.'"
- "maintaining ecosystem services, reducing food waste, promoting dietary shifts towards plant-based foods, promoting new green technologies, and adopting renewable energy sources"
- "The United Nations agreed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015. These set a global agenda for sustainable development, with a deadline of 2030."
- "This means using fewer resources per unit of output even while growing the economy. This reduces the environmental impact of economic growth such as pollution."
- "Existing global organizations such as the UN and WTO are inefficient in enforcing current global regulations."
- "Business groups have tried to integrate ecological concerns with economic activity. Religious leaders have stressed the need for caring for nature and environmental stability. Individuals can also live in a more sustainable way."
- "The concept of sustainability has faced various criticisms."
- "One is that the concept is vague and only a buzzword."
- "Some experts have pointed out that 'no country is delivering what its citizens need without transgressing the biophysical planetary boundaries'."
- "Indicators consider environmental, social and economic domains. The metrics are evolving."
- "Some barriers arise from nature and its complexity. Other barriers are extrinsic to the concept of sustainability, such as the dominant institutional frameworks in countries."
- "there will always be tension between the ideas of 'welfare and prosperity for all' and environmental conservation, so trade-offs are necessary."
- "reducing population growth by cutting fertility rates"
- "Sustainability is often thought of as a long-term goal (i.e. a more sustainable world), while sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve it."
- "there will always be tension between the ideas of 'welfare and prosperity for all' and environmental conservation"
- "Some experts say there is no evidence that it is happening at the required scale."