10 Reasons Why You Should Care About Sustainability

Why should you care about sustainability? For one, because it’s the right thing to do. We only have one planet and we need to take care of it. Additionally, sustainability is good for business. More and more consumers are interested in buying from companies practicing sustainability, so it’s a smart business move to make sure your company is seen as environmentally responsible.

Lastly, sustainability is good for you personally. It can help you save money, live a healthier life and make a positive impact on the world. So what are you waiting for?

Well, if you want to more about why you should care about sustainability, here are 10 reasons:

1. We depend on the earth for our survival.

Earth is our home and it sustains us. We rely on the planet for our food, water and shelter. It provides us with the resources we need to live.

Without the earth, we would not be able to survive. We need to take care of it so it can continue to take care of us.

Around the world, people are taking steps to protect the earth and its resources. In China, for example, people are working to reduce air pollution. In India, people are working to improve water quality as part of their groundwater program amid their water crisis. Simple actions each of us can take include recycling, composting and reducing our consumption.

2. The environment is our life support system.

The environment is our life support system. It provides us with the air we breathe, the water we drink and much of the food we eat. It also regulates our climate and supports the natural systems that keep us alive.

However, human activity has been causing widespread damage to the environment. This damage is putting our life support system at risk. For example, the burning of fossil fuels is having a negative affect on our climate, as is how we use our land. Damage to the environment is also making it harder for people to access clean water and air.

In addition, human activity is causing pollution. This includes things like toxic chemicals being released into the environment and litter being left behind. Pollution can damage ecosystems and make it difficult for plants and animals to thrive. Human activity is also causing habitat loss. This happens when natural habitats are destroyed or degraded, making it hard for wildlife to survive. Habitat loss is often caused by things like deforestation and urbanization.

3. Sustainability is about stewardship – taking care of what we have been given.

Sustainability is about stewardship and there are many projects around the world that support this. For example, the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods Program in India helps small farmers adopt more sustainable practices. This program has helped reduce deforestation, water pollution and soil erosion, while also increasing crop yields. Similarly, the Rainforest Alliance works with farmers, businesses and consumers to promote sustainable land management and protect forests. The organization has helped more than 200,000 farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia adopt sustainable practices. In addition, the Alliance has worked with companies such as Unilever, Coca-Cola and Walmart to help them source sustainably-grown products. Finally, Project Gaia is working to bring clean cookstoves to households in Africa and Asia. The project aims to reduce deforestation and air pollution, while also saving families money on fuel costs. So far, Project Gaia has distributed more than 1.5 million clean cookstoves. These are just a few examples of the many projects around the world working to promote sustainability.

4. Everyone has a role to play.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability – it’s something in which everyone needs to play a part. This includes individuals, businesses, organizations and governments. We all need to do our part to protect the environment.

There are many different ways to make a difference, whether it’s through reducing energy consumption, recycling and waste reduction initiatives, or supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Some great examples of sustainability projects around the world include:

• The Solar Impulse Foundation’s World Alliance for Efficient Solutions brings together over 1,000 organizations to promote sustainable energy solutions.
• The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data is a collaboration of over 90 organizations working to make data more accessible and actionable to support Sustainable Development Goals.
• The Sustainable Development Solutions Network is a global initiative that works to find solutions to the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges.

These are just a few of the many organizations and initiatives working to make a difference – there are many more out there doing great work to support sustainability. What matters is we all play our part in making the world a more sustainable place.

5. Sustainability is necessary to ensure social justice.

Sustainability is necessary to ensure social justice because sustainability is about taking care of our planet and its resources. If we don’t take care of the planet, we won’t be able to take care of its people.

One example of a project supporting sustainability and social justice is the Bamboo Bike Project in Ghana. This project helps provide sustainable transportation options for people in rural areas, as well as training and employment opportunities for locals. The bikes are made from locally-sourced bamboo and the project provides training on how to build and maintain them. This is just one example of how sustainability can help support social justice worldwide. 

Other examples include projects focused on renewable energy, clean water access or waste reduction. These types of initiatives can have a big impact on communities, especially in developing countries. By working to make these changes, we can help ensure a more sustainable and just future for all.

6. Sustainability is an ethical imperative.

As we become more aware of the environmental devastation caused by certain human activities, sustainability has become an ethical imperative. We can no longer afford to ignore the damage we are doing to the planet and we must take action to protect our resources for future generations.

There are many ways to make a difference and each of us can play a role in creating a more sustainable future. From recycling and composting to supporting renewable energy sources, there are many ways to reduce our impact on the planet. Then, as more and more people and communities join the movement for sustainability, we can make even greater progress.

There are already many inspiring examples of sustainability projects making a difference around the world. In Australia, the City of Melbourne has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020. This ambitious goal will be achieved through a range of measures, including energy efficiency initiatives, renewable energy projects and tree planting programs.

In the United States, cities like San Francisco and Boulder are also leading the way in sustainability. San Francisco has set a goal of powering all city-owned buildings with renewable energy by 2025 and Boulder has committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2030. These cities are setting an important example for the rest of the country and showing it is possible to make a real difference.

7. Sustainability is good for the economy.

Sustainability is good for the economy – this has been proven time and time again through various studies and real-world examples. In fact, sustainability is often a key driver for job creation and economic growth.

A study from the University of Massachusetts found every green job created in the US generates 2.5 additional jobs elsewhere in the economy. The study also found green jobs tend to be better paid than traditional jobs and are more likely to be unionized.

There are countless examples of sustainable initiatives around the world that are good for both the environment and the economy. In China, for example, the government has invested heavily in renewable energy, resulting in massive job growth in the renewable energy sector. India has a program to retrofit homes with energy-efficient lighting has not only reduced energy consumption but also created jobs and saved people money on their energy bills.

U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York have implemented policies to drive economic growth while also reducing environmental impacts. For example, San Francisco’s mandatory recycling and composting laws have diverted millions of tons of waste from landfills and the city’s commitment to clean energy has resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs. New York City’s pioneering PlaNYC program has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent while also growing the city’s economy by $64 billion.

8. Sustainability is good for business.

Sustainability is good for business because sustainable practices can help organizations save money, reduce their environmental impact and build social and environmental value into their operations.

One recent study found sustainable businesses outperformed their traditional counterparts by a factor of two over the past decade. The study, which was conducted by the United Nations Global Compact and Accenture, looked at more than 5,000 companies in 43 countries.

One example is Unilever, which has set a goal to double its business while halving its environmental impact. The company has already reduced its carbon footprint by 24 percent and its water usage by 33 percent.

Another example is Interface, the world’s largest manufacturer of carpet tiles. The company has set a goal to be carbon negative by 2040. To do this, Interface is working on developing new products made from recycled materials, reducing energy consumption and supporting sustainable forestry initiatives.

These are just a few examples of the many businesses making sustainability a priority. As more and more companies adopt sustainable practices, it’s clear sustainability is good for business.

9. Sustainability is good for your health.

When we think about sustainability, we often think about the environment. And while sustainability is vital for protecting our planet, it’s also important for our health.

There are many ways sustainability can improve our health. For example, sustainable transportation options like walking and biking can help us get active and reduce air pollution. Sustainable agriculture practices can help us eat healthier foods. Green buildings can provide us with less pollution and cleaner air to breathe.

There are many incredible sustainable projects around the world making a difference for our health. One specific example is the Clean Air Cities project in China, which is working to improve air quality in Chinese cities. Another is the Sustainable Food Trust, which is working to create a more sustainable food system.

These are just a few examples of how sustainability is good for our health. By supporting sustainable initiatives, we can make a difference for our planet and ourselves.

10. Sustainability is our only hope for the future.

Sustainability is about meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It’s about living in balance with our planet and making sure we use its resources wisely.

There are many ways to be more sustainable, but one of the most important is to focus on renewable energy. Renewable energy is energy from natural sources that are replenished constantly, like the sun, wind and water.

Using more renewable energy is crucial because it helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which are major contributors to climate change. Climate change is a massive threat to our planet and it’s one we need to take seriously if we want to leave a livable world for future generations.

There are lots of exciting renewable energy projects happening around the world and more and more countries are committing to transitioning to renewable energy. Here are just a few examples:

In the United States, California is leading the way in renewable energy. The state has set a goal of getting 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. It’s well on its way to reaching that target, with over 20% of its electricity coming from renewables in 2017. China is also making big strides in renewable energy. The country is already the world’s largest producer of solar power and in Africa, the continent is working to increase its use of renewable energy with the help of the African Renewable Energy Initiative. The initiative is working to add at least 300GW of additional renewable energy capacity by 2030.

These are just a few examples of the amazing things happening in the world of renewable energy. It’s clear we need to move away from fossil fuels and toward renewables if we want to create a sustainable future for our planet.

Living Sustainability Makes All the Difference

Living sustainability starts with how you view the world around you. If you look at it simply, living sustainability means living in such a way so as to sustain future life. It means doing what you can to protect natural resources while maintaining an ecological balance on the planet. It’s not all about restrictions, it’s about making smart and ethical choices like opting for renewables vs non-renewables, organic vs pesticides, carpool or bike vs gas-powered car, etc. It’s about changing habits so as to minimize your environment impact on the planet.

By living sustainably, we can make a difference for our planet and ourselves.

Author bio: Adam Roper is the found of adamdroper.com. He is passionate about promoting sustainability, renewable energy and off-grid living, to not only help the environment, but to transition in his own life to a more grounded, peaceful way of life.