“We have a finite environment—the planet. Anyone who thinks that you can have infinite growth in a finite environment is either a madman or an economist.” – David Attenborough
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/10060198-we-have-a-finite-environment-the-planet-anyone-who-thinks-that
Economists like to remind us that the economy is not a zero-sum game in which for someone to win, someone else has to lose. An exception to this might be Manhattan real estate, in which the Former Guy purportedly made his fortune. 🙂 Practitioners of the dismal science tell us that we can continue to make a bigger pie and keep on growing. But there are definite limits and that’s where sustainability comes in.
Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to managing natural resources, this will involve economic and social resources as well. In other words, sustainability is about profit, people, and planet.
I like to paraphrase a verse from the Bible: “The love of money, that is, the pursuit of profit without regard for people or planet, is the root of all evil.”
The good folks at the United Nations have given this much thought, and in 2015 came up with a blueprint of 17 sustainability goals:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well-being
- Quality education
- Gender equality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- Reduced inequalities
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice, and strong institutions
- Partnerships for the goals.
I have to admit that these are very lofty goals and will require a lot of cooperation at the individual, community, national, and international levels. To achieve them will require a paradigm shift from YOYO (You’re on your own) to WITT (We’re in this together).
Equity - Environment - Economic Justice 