About Sustainability
6 min read
In the second half of the 20th century, increased environmental problems and the realization of the exhaustibility of natural resources brought the concept of sustainability to the forefront. Simply put, sustainability is the idea of utilizing resources to meet the needs of current generations while ensuring future generations can meet their own needs. This concept is based on three main foundations: environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
Environmental sustainability aims to preserve natural resources and maintain ecosystem health, while economic sustainability targets ensuring economic development is compatible with environmental and societal welfare. Social sustainability focuses on achieving equality and justice within society. These three dimensions are interconnected and must be balanced for a sustainable future.
History
Ancient civilizations and cultures had significant principles and methods regarding the conservation and balanced use of natural resources. The concept of sustainability was often addressed with traditional knowledge and lifestyles in harmony with nature.
Ancient agricultural communities developed various methods to maintain soil fertility, employing techniques like crop rotation and intercropping to prevent soil erosion and mineral loss. In antiquity, civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Rome established complex irrigation and canal systems for efficient water management. Some ancient communities created rules for forest management to prevent excessive deforestation and provide sustainable energy sources. Traditional societies typically use sustainable hunting and fishing methods to prevent overexploitation and ecosystem destruction. Many indigenous peoples integrated respect for nature into their cultural and belief systems, prioritizing the conservation of resources for future generations.
Ancient Greek philosophers deeply contemplated nature. Natural philosophers like Thales, Anaximander, and Heraclitus sought to understand the fundamental principles of the universe and the natural world. Stoics and Epicureans offered views on how humans should interact with the natural world. Aristotle believed in the order and purpose of the natural world, and these ideas remained influential throughout the Middle Ages.
In medieval Europe, thoughts about nature were largely shaped by Christian theology, which tended to view human dominion over nature as part of God's creation. This influenced the use of natural resources and environmental ethics. In feudal society, landowners and the church controlled the use of natural resources. Control over forests, fields, and water sources was seen as a sign of social and economic power.
The Industrial Revolution radically changed human production and consumption patterns. The increased use of fossil fuels, mechanization in production, and rapid urbanization led to the rapid depletion of natural resources and increased environmental pollution. Following the Industrial Revolution, the concept of sustainability first emerged in the late 19th century, when scientists and intellectuals began to recognize the negative environmental impacts of human activities.
During World War I and II, the destruction and resource scarcity highlighted the importance of sustainability. The post-war period saw rapid industrial development and increased consumption, leading to even faster depletion of natural resources. In the 1960s and 1970s, environmental movements and international efforts to conserve natural resources grew. The 1987 "Brundtland Report" defined sustainable development and popularized the concept, describing it as meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The 1992 Rio Earth Summit marked a significant turning point in sustainability, reaching a broad international consensus on integrating environmental, economic, and social dimensions of sustainability.
Today, with the increasingly apparent effects of global warming and climate change, the concept has gained a new dimension, emphasizing the urgent need to act to leave a habitable world for future generations.
Climate Change and Sustainability
Issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and water and air pollution have become priorities for governments, businesses, and civil society organizations worldwide. Consequently, sustainability, once a relatively background issue, has become a main agenda item in almost all international meetings. The fundamental principles of sustainable development have been strengthened by international agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and includes commitments to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide comprehensive targets to reduce inequalities and prevent environmental degradation worldwide by 2030.
However, it can be said that we are far from achieving sustainable development goals today. Many countries prioritize economic growth over these goals, especially economies based on fossil fuel industries, which are slow to meet carbon emission reduction commitments. Short-term political objectives often conflict with long-term environmental commitments. Global issues like climate change require international cooperation and coordination, but differing priorities and policies among countries make effective international collaboration challenging.
Another factor is the difficulty developing countries face in financing environmental projects. Developed countries have not sufficiently carried out financial support and technology transfer. Communities in low-income countries, which make up most of the world's population and are more affected by climate change, have limited access to the necessary resources. There is a lack of awareness and understanding of sustainability among governments, businesses, organizations, and individuals worldwide. This slows the adoption of environmental policies and sustainable practices. Additionally, reducing environmental problems to just technological solutions, overlooking the social, economic, and political dimensions, leads to complacency. Current technologies alone, such as renewable energy or carbon capture technologies, are insufficient to halt global warming. A paradigm shift is needed for sustainability to be realized, involving collaboration among all stakeholders - governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals.
Sustainability and Greenwashing
With the increasing popularity of the concept of sustainability, companies, and governments tend to create an environmentally friendly image instead of adopting genuine eco-friendly or sustainable practices. This phenomenon, undermining the sincerity and effectiveness of the sustainability concept, is referred to as "greenwashing." This trend, increasingly prevalent today, is characterized by the following features:
Lack of Genuine Commitment: Greenwashing refers to companies or organizations creating an eco-friendly image as a marketing strategy instead of adopting real sustainable practices.
Misleading Communication: Greenwashing can deceive consumers with misleading information. For example, claims that a product is "eco-friendly" or "green" may conceal or exaggerate its real environmental impacts.
Trivializing Sustainability: Greenwashing promotes a superficial and oversimplified understanding of sustainability. Instead of focusing on solving real environmental issues, it diverts public attention to simple and ineffective solutions.
Lack of Regulation and Oversight: Insufficient monitoring of sustainability claims makes it easier for companies to engage in greenwashing. This makes it harder for consumers and investors to identify truly sustainable practices and products.
Ignoring Long-term Impacts: Greenwashing often focuses on short-term image enhancement and does not adequately address long-term environmental effects.
