Sustainability
Ecological systems are significantly impacted by our environment.Natural resources have been impacted by land use regulations and the built environment. Incorporating sustainable practices can not only help the environment and ecosystem, it will increase sustainable acts across the world. Being sustainable has an effect on humans, and animals. Not only does it affect the present, but also the future.
Sustainability definition
Sustainability is the physical development and institutional operating practices that meet the needs of present users without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, particularly with regard to use and waste of natural resources. [1] Sustainability can be broken down into three parts: economic development, social development, and environmental protection.
Economic development
The Economic Pillar of Sustainability focuses on reducing cost, but still maximizing profile while being sustainable at the same time. Economic sustainability is a strategy to promote socio-economic resources at its best. The way to use the resources should be that it will last a long time, and will not affect the business negatively. Being able to use resources in an efficient and responsible can provide a long-term benefit for the company. Being economically sustainable will not only make the business more profitable, but it will prevent the company from environmental or social issues.
Social development
The Social Pillar of Sustainability focuses on the people. The social aspect focuses on balancing the needs of an individual with the needs of a group. Many companies took the initiative to address sustainability for their people. For example, Verizon supports social sustainability by volunteering, disaster reliefs, donations, and recovery programs. Taking a social stand on sustainability will not only have an impact on the consumer but also employee performance.
Environmental protection
The Environmental Pillar of Sustainability focuses on the planet. The environmental aspect of sustainability tries to reduce the environmental impact that is caused by operations, facilities, factories or products. Some actions that were taken place was to incorporate renewable resources and eliminate waste where pollution was a huge problem. Many companies took the initiative to change their routine to include environmental aspects. For example, At Walmart environmental initiatives include increasing imports from green and yellow factories, a goal of zero waste, plastic bag reduction, and initiatives to reduce carbon footprint by managing energy consumption.[2]
Benefits of sustainability
Resources are scarce and should be used carefully and wisely. There are many benefits from being sustainable. Changing even the smallest actions can make a difference to the Earth. When you hear the word sustainable, it does not necessarily just mean to reserve just energy or to buy 100% organic clothing. Your buying habits, recycling habits, and the way you handle everyday activities are very important. Our behaviors not only affects us, but it has a huge impact on the Ocean.
Benefiting the oceans
The ocean helps create and regular the weather all over the world. The ocean produces water, food, and oxygen which is life’s essentials. According to Enric Sala, a marine ecologist said that a healthy ocean means healthier humans, more food on our tables, more jobs, and a healthier economy. There are about 200,000 marine species and millions more call the ocean their home. Ocean also has a connection with the climate. The sea absorbs 30 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions. The ocean is sensitive to even the smallest change in temperature. When the water is too warm, it can push the coral reef. [3]
Pollution
Plastic is taking over the Pacific Ocean. An abundance amount of plastic is collected together in what is called the Pacific garbage patch. It contains plastic such as light bulbs, toothpaste, and bottle caps. The size of the garbage is Texas. Scientists say that this garbage patch is one out of five which can be found among the big oceans. [4] Plastic is the most common thing found in the patch because it is lightweight, and can travel far before being stuck. Although plastic does not dissolve chemicals in the water, the plastic absorbs the toxins like a sponge. Any fish that comes across the plastic is taking the toxins and chemicals in.
Benefiting the business
There are six business benefits of sustainability.
Whether you define it as enhanced goodwill or reduced opposition, sustainability programs that position the company as a positive corporate citizen can impact the speed with which the company enters or grows within a market. [5] License to operate, reduce reduction or avoidance, market opportunity/advantage, employee engagement, ability to seize the innovation high ground, and access to investment capital. At the end, return on investment will be the ultimate measure of success since it is a business strategy.[5]
See also
Other closely related articles in this wiki include:
References
- ↑ UCLA, (14, Oct 2016). What is Sustainability? UCLA. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
- ↑ Mason, 2016. What Is Sustainability and Why Is It Important? | EnvironmentalScience.org. (n.d.). Retrieved September 8, 2016, from [1]
- ↑ [Handwerk, B. (n.d.). Sustainable Earth: Oceans - National Geographic. Retrieved October 13, 2016 Retrieved from [2],
- ↑ Hoshaw, L. (n.d.). Researchers Explore Growing Ocean Garbage Patches | The New York Times. Retrieved September 22, 2016, from [3]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Friedman, (13, Oct 2016). 6 Business Benefits of Sustainability Huffingtonpost. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
Photo Retrieved from [4] cc-by-sa-2.0
![[4]](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sustainability-diagram-v3.png){kind=link}
External links
Relevant online sources to this wiki article include: