Ecological Sustainability
Sustainability is the ability to maintain a certain status or process in existing systems. The most frequent use of the term “sustainability” is connected to biological or human systems in the context of ecology. The ability of an ecosystem to function and maintain productivity for a prolonged period is also sustainability.
Living a sustainable lifestyle is one way to help. In this series pages we will go into what sustainability has to with ecology, recycling, water, and more. We will also reveal what some companies (like Petsmart and Disney) are doing to make a difference by operating their businesses in a sustainable way.
Ecology Sustainability / Why should we be concerned about Sustainability?
The traditional and most often prevalent view of our environment is that the natural resources of the planet are valuable only if they are useful to humans. The consequence of this philosophy is a degraded ecosystem and diminishing biodiversity.
Production of sustenance for large populations is increasingly difficult because of climate change and increased levels of pollution. While the use of fossil fuels for energy, transport, and manufacturing has made it possible to support large increases in the world’s population it has also worsened environmental conditions.
Resource management according to the philosophy of mastery and exploitation make this pattern of behavior unsustainable. The ecosystems necessary for life to flourish and continue are being undermined and degraded because of these practices.
Our activities and practices today are causing widespread extinction of a wide variety of species. The biosphere of the Earth is being destroyed at a steadily increasing rate. The rate of consumption today is exceeding the Earth’s carrying capacity.
We are denying future generations the richness and diversity of the world as we know it today.
Ecology Sustainability / What principles must we adhere to ensure sustainability?
There are principles that we can live by to ensure ecological sustainability. These are some principles that we need to absorb into out psyche so that we can treat our environment the way it deserves to be treated.
Living a sustainable lifestyle is one way to help. In this series pages we will go into what sustainability has to with ecology, recycling, water, and more. We will also reveal what some companies (like Petsmart and Disney) are doing to make a difference by operating their businesses in a sustainable way.
Ecology Sustainability / Why should we be concerned about Sustainability?
The traditional and most often prevalent view of our environment is that the natural resources of the planet are valuable only if they are useful to humans. The consequence of this philosophy is a degraded ecosystem and diminishing biodiversity.
Production of sustenance for large populations is increasingly difficult because of climate change and increased levels of pollution. While the use of fossil fuels for energy, transport, and manufacturing has made it possible to support large increases in the world’s population it has also worsened environmental conditions.
Resource management according to the philosophy of mastery and exploitation make this pattern of behavior unsustainable. The ecosystems necessary for life to flourish and continue are being undermined and degraded because of these practices.
Our activities and practices today are causing widespread extinction of a wide variety of species. The biosphere of the Earth is being destroyed at a steadily increasing rate. The rate of consumption today is exceeding the Earth’s carrying capacity.
We are denying future generations the richness and diversity of the world as we know it today.
Ecology Sustainability / What principles must we adhere to ensure sustainability?
There are principles that we can live by to ensure ecological sustainability. These are some principles that we need to absorb into out psyche so that we can treat our environment the way it deserves to be treated.
- There must be a turning away from the principles of unlimited consumption of resources. We must recognize that resources are finite and will run out at present rates of consumption.
- Focus must be made on reduction of greenhouse gas emission and new opportunities must be developed using new green technology.
- Planning must be done at an “as early as possible” basis for a transition from hydrocarbon and fossil fuels.
- Economic activity must be geared toward energy and material efficiency.
- Governments must transform their operations according to an ecological framework that has an ecological accounting system.