The most common definition of sustainability is living in a way that meets the social, economic, and other requirements of the current population as well as ensuring the same requirements will be able to be met for future generations. Living sustainably is something that affects every person on the planet. The way we live now affects our lives today, as well as the future population. Some people believe that sustainability and living green will not matter to them as the effects of their actions will not manifest in their lifetime, but this assumption is incorrect. Currently two-thirds of the services provided to us by nature are declining, 85% of all fish stocks in the ocean are overexploited, depleted, recovering or fully exploited. There was a 38% increase in annual global carbon dioxide and it will take 50+ years for the ozone layer to get back to pre 1980 levels. Global warming is one example of long-term change in the environment that has been caused by humans. Other examples are the introduction of nonnative and invasive species, land development, and changes in water quantity and quality. Statistics according to the article Resilient People Resilient Planet. There is no guarantee that if people continue to live the way they are living, things will continue to be sustainable. However sustainability is not just about the environment, social and economic aspects are equally as important to creating a sustainable world. (Figure 1). In this paper I will explain what it means to live sustainably, why it is a problem, challenges and how humans can live more sustainably.
The way people live now has detrimental effects on humans and the planet. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 800,000 people die prematu...
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...t future generations can also live in. If humanity continues to disregard the planet and disappearing resources and live in an unsustainable way, people now and later will suffer. A conscious effort must be made by the entire world to make this important change. Developed nations, like America, and poor nations have especially difficult work to do. This is because consumption is a major driver of negative human impacts on the planet, these practices are especially motivated by extreme poverty and extreme wealth. People all over need to make a concentrated effort to change. Personal change will make an impact for the better, but government must be involved as well for a complete change to occur. If concentrated efforts are made to live more sustainably humankind will be able to make changes for the better to preserve the planet for themselves and future generations.
Sustainability is one of the most controversial topics throughout the history, and as our society develop, we realize that being able to be sustainable is essential to survival of our race. The book Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Sustainability is a collection of articles on different side of various issues related to sustainability. In the book, Issue 8 discusses the ability of technology to deliver sustainability, and issue 16 and 17 discusses the sustainability of food and energy. While issue 16 and 17 are well-presented, the arguments in issue 8 are not very strong.
...made. Climate change poses a huge for the fulfillment of the future generations. It is on us, our generation to make decisions regarding emissions of greenhouse gases that will not pose a significant risk of serious adverse consequences to the future generation. At a global and national level, climate change responses must focus on long-term sustainable solutions to ensure the well-being and needs of future generations are met. This will mean minimizing the impact of greenhouse gas emission for the future generations. The faster we can control climate change, the less consequences the future generations will have to endure. The future generations should also be given a world that is health, a world that offers a sustainable future and a world that we, ourselves would want to live in. It is for the future generations that we much meet the challenge of climate change.
While humans are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental issues that are occurring in the world, most human systems are still unsustainable. Being sustainable in a society means that humans treat Earth like it has a limited supply of resources that need to be carefully managed in order to prevent damage to the world around us (Chiras, D. D., 2016). So, being unsustainable is the opposite; when humans treat the world like they are dominant over it, as well as believing that the Earth has an unlimited supply of resources that should be consumed by humans. Human beliefs and practices influence unsustainability, which can, and often do, correspond with the root cause of the problem.
The old Native American proverb that states, “We do not inherit the land from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children” really makes me think about my lifestyle and how it is benefiting the Earth. Being sustainable not only means to take care of the planet for my generation but also for future generations. It is my job to care for the planet as best as I can and to help pass on these good habits to my children. The best ways that I can help my environment are composting uneaten food and old vegetables, donating or reusing old clothes, and recycling plastic and paper products.
Sustainability is when something can be used and not be depleted, destroyed, or damaged past recovery. As we work to live sustainably, we are in effect making use of our resources in a fashion that doesn't eliminate them, and doesn't harm their source. Our resources come from the environment around us and we need to make sure that it is not harmed as we use it. According to the EPA, sustainability stems from a single principle that "Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment” (Sustainability Information). Considering this, it's obvious why we need to make sure we live sustainably and do not damage the source of our resources, our environment.
There are many things we need to change in society to become sustainable for future generations. One thing is for certain, we all need to do our part to contribute to this effort, and there is no time like the present to change our ways.
My belief is that sustainable living means reducing the demand on natural resources in order to not only preserve but promote the health and wellbeing of our earth for the life that exists on it today and for the life that will exist in the future generations to come. To me, that means modifying my lifestyle, starting with my day-to-day cup of coffee in the morning to brushing my teeth before I go to bed at night with respect to my relationship with the earth’s natural cycles and ecology. In becoming a member of this community here at Ohio University, I hope to bring my own experiences in personal sustainability to others in an effort to improve the efforts of our community as a whole in living a more sustainable and eco-centric lifestyle.
Sustainability must be defined to include meeting human physical, emotional and social needs (Rogers et al. 2012) and scholarly research and thinking on well being and its connection to the environment, sustainability, growth and sustainable development considers aspects that move towards social and environmental benefits . While environme...
Our lifestyles and eating habits have had an adverse effect on the environment. The troubles societies face today are brought on by our own personal choices in the way we live. The ability to create an action plan that would provide enough “sustainability food for the Future” give off a very powerful message; that we must change the way we perceive the world around us. To start viewing the earth as an “island” that the natural resources the earth provides are slowly deteriorating right before our eyes. The population growth has exceeded the earth capacity to sustain the growing demand for food. There have been warnings that seemed like “whispers” but now the earth, our island is speaking “loudly” and now is showing the damage of what our carelessness behavior has caused.
Humans have become a threat to our own way of life by consuming more resources than needed, blind to the consequences that we may face in the future. As of 2016 the world population is at 7.4 billion and it is estimated to be at 11.2 billion by the year 2100. However 10 billion is the maximum population that can be sustained in terms of food security, only one of the many factors to global sustainability. Due to the fact that human consumption exceeds the amount of resources available, the United Nations “recognizes that eradicating poverty is the greatest global challenge” in A/RES/70/1. Sustainable development is not only required to fulfill the necessities of the present but to guarantee the capability for future generations to satisfy theirs.
‘Development that meets the needs of the present with the ability for the future generation to meet their own needs.’ (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987) Sustainable development requires three key components: economy, society and environment, sustainable development can be success through striking balance in those factors. These three components are indispensible, they compel to depend on each other. On the other words, we can only gain a decent and energetic environment and society if the economy is strong with a healthy a stable growth rate.
Sustainable development means that the present generations should be able to make use of resources to live better lives in such a manner that it doesn’t compromise the ability of future generations to survive and make better lives for themselves as well. For sustainable development to occur, there needs to be sustainable economic, ecological and community development. Society needs to be educated about ways in which they can use resources, especially natural, in such a manner that it doesn’t cause harm to the environment and put future generations lives at risk.
...as human we need to take care of it by following all the correct measurement. Maybe, the smallest action can bring huge difference to the world and help to save the ecosystem. Any extinction species can be preserved and make a plantation to help the world green. Cut off any unnecessary activities that bring damage to the surrounding. Besides, generate of energy also can be changed with alternative ways like renewable energy that must be more clean and safe. The fossil fuel source also will not remain exists and will run out someday. Take a good action and care for our world as we live on it. This because the world content all the sources we need to survive like food, water, shelter and etc. The most important thing is to start activities and usage that are environmentally friendly, for example, organic foods and materials, natural gases, less electrical use and etc.
By showing the world the severity of our need for conservation, we will be able to save the earth and get the most out of our resources. We need to fix this problem before it becomes uncontrollable to the point of having no resources to supply our needs. By reducing our consumption of resources, we will be able to become closer to fixing the problem of global warming, high gasoline prices and pesticide filled meats. The outcome of respecting our world and “going green” will better how we live our lives, our communities and the environment. The concept of “going green” is a necessity for the future because “our children deserve cities as beautiful as they are.
For each individual, there are many ways to save the earth which they must know and do. First and foremost, people must