What is Environmental Sustainability and How Can Businesses and Individuals Play a Role in It?

Environmental sustainability refers to the act of interacting responsibly with the Earth to maintain its natural resources and to stop jeopardizing the ability of generations in the future to meet their demands. For example, if you take a hike in the woods, you are reminded about the coral reefs and forests. Even deserts are good examples of systems that are sustainable to the environment.

What Is Environmental Sustainability, and how does it impact life?

As the population in the world has increased, people now rely more on the natural resources of the Earth-like coal, gas, petroleum, etc. Due to environmental pollution and deforestation, the biodiversity of the Earth, from insects to birds to mammals, has drastically declined in large numbers.

Many individuals are still not aware of what is environmental sustainability, which is why people and organizations play an integral part in spreading awareness. In order to embrace environmental sustainability in your life, the following are some key forms and ways that will help one and the community as a whole live a more sustainable life responsibly-

  1. Reorganize living conditions in the form of eco-municipalities, villages, and cities
  2. Reappraise economic sectors like green building, permaculture, and sustainable agriculture or even work practices like sustainable architecture
  3. Develop novel or new technologies like renewable energy and green technologies etc
  4. Make adjustments when it comes to individual lifestyles that conserve the natural resources

Since both the ecological, economic and social systems differ from nation to nation, there is no one blueprint for how long sustainable practices will be executed. Every nation needs to work on its own concrete policy to ensure that sustainable development is carried out as an international goal.

For instance, in the USA, the Environmental Protection Agency or the EPA is responsible for the settlement and enforcement of regulations that cover environmental sustainability as well as protection. These regulations include-

  • The quality of air.
  • The quality of water.
  • The quality of soil.
  • Plant life.
  • Habitats of animals and wildlife.
  • Waste that is hazardous to the environment.
  • Greenhouse emissions.

When it comes to violations of environmental law, they are considered white-collar crimes. The offenders face the possibility of probation, jail time, and a combination of both. However, when it comes to corporations violating environmental law, they get away with fines only.

Industry, governments, non-profits, and environmental agencies have their own unique definitions of environmental sustainability and approaches to the problem. Both institutions and individuals play a specific role in the enforcement of environmental sustainability.

Both individuals and businesses should understand what is environmental sustainability to act responsibly for the protection of the planet. Today, schools and colleges are making students aware of its importance to undertake an active role when it comes to protecting the planet. Things like saving water, protecting trees, planting trees, organic farming, and more fall under environmental sustainability. You can practice it at home as well by recycling products and saving energy and water.