The Concept Of Environmental Sustainability

The Concept Of Environmental Sustainability

The Planet’s capacity to sustain human life is fast eroding posing a major threat to the globe but most severe in the developing world.

The decline of major life support ecosystems is having a devastating impact on the poor helping prevent the environmental decline and therefore a major priority in modern society.

The world leaders face no greater challenge than environmental protection and promotion of Sustainable Development Goals.

The global prosperity and security of the people cannot thrive if the environment is not protected- if the very air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat and the resources to rely upon are at risk.

The global response to environmental protection has been on the rise though the past policies and the programmes to reduce poverty and enhance economic growth have been promoted at the expense of the environment.

The Global Action to repair the planet and secure its future is paramount hence the concept of Environmental sustainability- the integration of environmental aspects into economic development policies and programmes.

Environmental Sustainability ensures responsible interaction with the environment to avoid environmental degradation/ depletion or overexploitation of natural resources thus enhancing long-term environmental quality.

Nature has the ability to replenish itself. However, when man enters the chain, and overexploits the environmental resources without the application of environmental sustainability methods, then the long-term viability of the resources is compromised.

Environmental Sustainability is concerned with issues such as:

a) The long-term well-being of the ecosystem to meet the economic and social needs

b) Use of renewable sources of energy and no reliance on non-renewable sources

c) Treating environmental resources as if they have intrinsic value not because of the monetary benefits we obtain but because they have the right to be protected.

d) Ensuring intergenerational equity to meet the needs of both present and future generations.

In conclusion, natural and environmental resource benefits shouldn’t be the motivation for environmental protection and conservation but they deserve the right to be protected to ensure intergenerational equity. We therefore have the duty to leave a better environment to the future generation than we found.

The Concept Of Environmental Sustainability