Achieving a balance that guarantees a harmonious and respectful bond between human beings and the environment is the goal of sustainability.
Sustainability is, basically, the sustainable nature of something. That is, it can be maintained, sustained. In the field of ecology , this notion refers to practices designed to meet the needs of the current population without putting at risk the resources for the generations that will arrive on this planet over time.
To achieve sustainable development, it is essential to achieve a balance between economic progress without neglecting the environment or putting the well-being of all species in check. In short, it is increasingly urgent and important for each Government to implement measures and promote actions aimed at promoting the joint growth of the economy , the community and the ecology .
The challenges that human beings have faced for several seasons are linked to combating hunger, trying to stop the consequences and advance of climate change and trying to prevent water from becoming scarce or depleted .
The so-called 2030 Agenda approved by the UN (United Nations Organization) , for example, encompasses the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) . This is a list that aims to reduce inequalities, guarantee access for all people to good quality education and achieve the ambitious goal of Zero Hunger .
Measures to promote sustainability
To promote sustainability , short, medium and long-term measures must be taken at a universal level. To this end, strategies for environmental sustainability , economic sustainability and social sustainability must be drawn up.
Collective efforts aimed at the conservation of the ecosystem , the massive use of renewable energies , the protection of biodiversity and the reduction of polluting emissions will make it possible, at some point in history , to live on a healthy planet inhabited by respectful and responsible people. Fair trade and the circular economy also promote sustainability .
Counterproductive actions for the Earth
Simultaneously with the promotion of sustainability, it is essential to put an end to actions that are counterproductive to the Earth .
The human destruction of forest heritage through deforestation , which exacerbates global warming as a result of the disappearance of many trees, has a strong negative impact on water , ecosystems , the survival of species and the conservation of natural resources. forests , for example.
Composting is a practice that allows you to use organic waste to generate highly nutritious fertilizer for the earth.
Desertification , meanwhile, causes loss of biodiversity , endangers food security because it drastically lowers the level of production and causes deterioration in vegetation .
Nor should we lose sight of the harmful effects of soil erosion , a problem that requires minimizing the risk of flooding , landslides and structural damage to homes that force numerous people to move to other, safer areas.
Another issue that requires urgent addressing is overfishing , given the imbalances and destruction it causes.
Practices in favor of sustainability
Those individuals who in their home and/or workplace wish to generate the least possible negative environmental impact have the chance to implement several practices in favor of sustainability .
Recycling , for example, is a procedure available to everyone. At the home level, cans, containers, etc. can be given a new use and waste separated to be left, as appropriate, in public containers segmented by material (glass, plastics, cardboard and paper). From governments, meanwhile, policies and measures are necessary that promote this practice of recovering elements and that allow efficient management of solid waste .
Make responsible consumption of basic services to avoid wasting resources (we must not lose sight of the fact that achieving energy efficiency is essential); choose alternative energy sources that are friendly to nature, such as solar energy and wind energy ; Trying to eat local food and products from organic agriculture and doing home composting with the purpose of reducing the level of food waste and obtaining fertilizer from these materials to nourish the earth are other beneficial measures.
Thanks to recycling, the percentage of garbage generated is minimized and certain elements are given a new use or new products are generated from the processing of plastic, glass or paper, for example.
We must also raise awareness about the carbon footprint associated with emissions derived from transportation . The solution that appeared in the face of this problem is defined as sustainable mobility and encompasses everything from the public transport network to pedestrians: the idea is that each human being moves with responsibility , respect, education and care through each public space, leaving those movements the lowest possible percentage of pollution and risk of accidents.
If you want to take a trip without affecting the natural environment too much, the ideal is to choose the modality called sustainable tourism , while those with an ecological philosophy who have the possibility of building embrace with conviction sustainable construction projects that reflect, for example, the bases of a minimalist life that pursues comfort and the satisfaction of basic needs while being as respectful as possible with the world around us.