One can define sustainability as the act of elongating or maintaining resources at a certain level. This means that it requires stringent planning first to understand the capacity of the resources in question. Sustainability has mainly been used in regard to maintaining the earth’s natural resources. One can argue that the depletion of these natural resources has enhanced the need for discussions on managing the remaining sources best. In particular, global warming has been directly linked to the growth of the human population, which has led to forests’ encroachment and lower tree coverage. Other human activities, such as manufacturing and production, have also been linked to the depleting natural resources. This essay looks into some of the standard definitions and understandings of sustainability. It also proves that the questions that society has regarding sustainability are relevant to the realization of the goals set for the same.
As stated above, the reduction of natural resources enhanced discussions on sustainable usage of earth’s resources. Biello uses the example of oil mining to describe sustainability (166). The scholar explains that the spillage that occurred in the Gulf Coast affected the way the world perceived different world resources. Two things were prevalent due to the state’s spillage. The first is the excessive over-reliance of oil in different industries. The spillage spelled significant profit loss to the initial owners of the oil. Secondly, the event showed how the different ways used to maximize profits from the exploitation of natural resources were problematic. The spillage led to massive loss of ocean life, which in turn had a negative impact on the natural flora and fauna of the sea (Biello 167). To this end, one can argue that sustainability refers to the different ways human beings can take advantage of the needed natural resources, such as oil and fish, without depleting or harming any other aspect of the environment.
Further, Benfield argues that there are natural calamities that have helped communities understand the importance of sustainability (154). In particular, the scholar explains how Hurricane Katrina helped residents of New Orleans make their city greener. The term stated refers to different ways human actions support the “health” of the environment. Benfield samples some of the sustainable housing designs that have been used to repair post-Katrina New Orleans (156). It is prudent to mention that these designs are built to both withstand similar natural disasters in the future and, at the same time, protect their occupants. Issues such as green energy, air quality, and recycling have all been considered to make New Orleans green. Arguably, the activities done in the area are a way of returning the city to what is considered its natural state to avert calamities such as Hurricane Katrina.
Additionally, there is debate on the impact of business processes on the environment. Rifkin addresses the issue, which he refers to as “the third industrial revolution” (294). The premise suggests that the digitalization of manufacturing and production allows companies to lower their carbon footprint and, in doing so, limits their chances of harming the environment. The debate on whether business is more important than the environment has arguably been balanced by suggestions to create alternative sustainable business strategies that still give companies the ability to realize their bottom line while protecting the environment at the same time.
Despite this understanding of sustainability, some questions still have to be answered to ensure full appreciation. For instance, taking the common phrase “life will out,” is there a possibility that nature balances itself without humankind’s help? This question ties closely with Hurricane Katrina’s experience, which led to massive infrastructure loss and, more devastatingly, loss of almost half the city population. Towards this end, the environment was able to balance itself out, albeit having devastating results for humankind. If this is the case, would it mean that human actions towards attaining sustainability are purely for the preservation of human life and not the environment? Understanding these questions will help people realize both the intent and need for sustainable action as a social and economic element.
In conclusion, the definition of sustainability might seem simple and straightforward. However, it has proven to be a complex issue that requires deliberations, especially in regards to the intention behind the so-called sustainability measures. If the intent of these measures is wrong, then the activities laid out will not be effective in sustaining life in general. These questions must be asked and answered in order for humanity to survive. Indeed, the earth and its resources primarily belong to humanity. However, the future of humanity solely depends on how people treat the environment now. Even though one can argue that earth will always have one form of life or another, one cannot ensure that humanity will not go extinct due to mother nature’s relentless efforts to balance the scale. All human interactions and activities should indeed focus on either maintaining or elongating natural resources in an attempt to save the future of humankind.
Works Cited
Biello, David. “How Did the BP Oil Spill Affect Gulf Coast Wildlife?” Sustainability. Edited by Christian Weisser, Bedford, 2015, pp. 166-171.
Benfield, Kaid. “Sustainable New Orleans: How Katrina Made a City Greener.” Sustainability. Edited by Christian Weisser, Bedford, 2015, pp. 154-158.
Rifkin, Jeremy. “The Third Industrial Revolution.” Sustainability. Edited by Christian Weisser, Bedford, 2015, pp. 294-301.