Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is a holistic approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social dimensions to ensure long-term well-being and balance.
The Key Pillars of Sustainability include (1) Environmental Sustainability which has as its primary goals preventing depletion of natural resources like water, soil, and air, reducing the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures and extreme weather events and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity., (2) Economic Sustainability which has as its goals encouraging resource efficiency, leading to cost savings and innovation by supporting resilient economies by reducing dependence on finite resources and promoting sustainable business practices that ensure long-term profitability and (3) Social Sustainability, which is intended to safeguard resources for future generations, encourage responsible decision-making that accounts for long-term impacts, addresses pressing global challenges like poverty, hunger, and inequality and promotes international cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Examples of Sustainable Practices include using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, recycling and reducing waste, supporting sustainable agriculture and local food systems, designing energy-efficient buildings and infrastructure and encouraging eco-friendly transportation, like biking and public transit.