Sustainability

The Circular Economy

One model representing a sustainable economy is that of a “circular economy”. In regular, “linear” economies many goods are discarded after consumption, representing pollution and unrenewable single-usage of resources. Circular economies attempt to reduce this level of waste, which they do by encouraging lower levels of consumption or by intervening directly after consumption. This intervention can take many forms, with two of the most popular being reusing and recycling. Reusing involves keeping goods that have been used in situations where they can be suitably used again. Commonly reused goods include plastic bags used in supermarkets. Recycling involves separating and converting waste into usable materials. Commonly recycled goods include drinks cans, which are recycled into aluminium. Ultimately, it’s currently impossible for a truly circular economy to operate and there is always some waste. However, by implementing circular practices, more value is retained throughout a good’s life-cycle and less burden is put onto the environment.

Types of Environmental Sustainability

Let's have a look at some of the types of environmental sustainability:

• Reducing pollution: human activity can release a variety of chemicals that cause air and water pollution. Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases, as well as aerosols, cause air pollution. Metal particulates, toxic, radioactive, and carcinogenic chemicals cause water pollution, as well as nutrients and heat. Light and noise pollution are problems too. There are now many ways that individuals can reduce their own impact on pollution eg. driving less, limiting air travel and using less aerosols to name a few. However, more must be done relating to government and national-level change.
• Absorbing waste: the ability of our planet to absorb waste is essential in achieving environmental stability. Deforestation reduces the ability of the Earth to absorb waste in the form of carbon dioxide.
• Sustainable agriculture: dated agricultural methods can release greenhouse gases and cause water pollution. Sustainable agriculture aims to reduce dependence on agrochemicals, reduce waste, and maintain biodiversity.
• Recycling: the reuse and reworking of materials help reduce waste and conserve resources.
• Technological enhancements: improving the machinery and methods so they release less waste and use up less finite resources is important in building a sustainable future.

Basic Issues of Sustainable Development

Achieving sustainable development is important, but there are many issues that make it difficult.

Natural Resource Management

One of the largest issues concerning sustainable development is the management of natural resources. Currently, biologically productive land such as forests and coastal habitats (seagrass, mangroves, coral reefs) are exploited because of their abundance. Deforestation completely devastates arboreal areas while coral mining reduces the structural integrity of these reefs. These destructive practices reduce the ability of biologically productive land to replenish. Therefore, initiatives and regulations to control the exploitation of natural resources need to be implemented, so they can continue to function and restore themselves.

Population Growth

The fundamental issue behind sustainable development is the ever-increasing global population. Larger populations require more resources, space, and food. These necessities cannot always be provided by environmentally friendly methods and are normally supplied in the quickest and cheapest way possible. Consumerism is a problem in developed countries, which use up much more food and resources than they actually need. Larger populations will produce much more waste too, which needs proper disposal.

Climate Change

Climate change resulting from human activity is causing a sustainable future to become less achievable. The combustion of fossil fuels, deforestation, inappropriate agriculture, and industry has led to enormous amounts of carbon dioxide and methane being released into the atmosphere and contributing to the greenhouse effect. This has caused global temperatures to rise to unprecedented levels and cause sea levels to rise, precipitation to increase, and ice sheets to melt. This has affected the functioning of biogeochemical cycles which has resulted in the loss of freshwater, agriculture becoming more difficult, and damage to ecosystems (that provide countless services for humans). The release of CFCs in the 1900s has depleted the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from dangerous UV radiation, and has altered ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles further.

Ecosystem Biodiversity

As a result of climate change and resource exploitation ecosystems are being damaged all over the world. Exploitation destroys habitats and climate change can change conditions so much that organisms can either no longer survive or are forced to migrate and disturb other ecosystems. The functioning of these ecosystems is essential in maintaining the biologically productive land that we depend on for natural resources. When under stress, or after degradation, these ecosystems will not be able to produce as many natural resources or provide as many ecosystem services.

Sustainable Development Goals

Here are the goals that sustainable development aims for:

Transport

Vehicles require lots of energy and this is often gained from the combustion of fossil fuels. Reducing vehicle use is a very achievable goal because unnecessary or inappropriate use of vehicles is prevalent all over the world. Campaigns and initiatives have been implemented over the past few decades to get people walking and cycling, but if they do not bring about a marked change in vehicle use soon regulations and laws will have to be put in place. The switch to electric cars needs to happen, but eco-friendly batteries need to be produced. Aviation is the biggest cause of vehicle emissions, but global tourism and trading are increasing every year. Therefore, sustainable goals need to account for the increase in travel overseas in the future.

Energy

Energy is essential for industry, transport, heating, mass production, and agriculture. On a global scale, we must aim to reduce the rate of greenhouse gas emissions from energy-producing processes, such as the release of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and nitrous oxide from power plants. Renewable energy sources such as solar power, tidal power, and geothermal energy must be used and improved to reduce the reliance we have on fossil fuels. The distribution of energy must be improved as well so that less developed countries can build their economy and infrastructure. On a regional scale, energy expenditure from heating, electricity, and large facilities must be reduced and carbon footprints must be limited.

Agriculture

Intensive agricultural practices are causing agriculture to become unsustainable and detrimental to the environment. Fossil fuels are burnt for heavy machinery and transporting goods, ruminants release methane, and the overuse of agrochemicals can result in pollution of nearby waters. Therefore, sustainable and regenerative agriculture must be implemented. Methods like intercropping, crop rotation, and cover cropping will reduce the reliance on fertilisers and improve soil quality. Limited tillage and physical disturbance of soils will also improve fertility. Maintenance of wet patches and hedgerows within agricultural land will improve the agroecosystem and further reduce the need for chemicals. Regulations for intensive agriculture need to be put in place to reduce methane emissions, but they should consider food security.

Waste

We have talked about reducing greenhouse gas emissions but limiting water pollution is vital in achieving environmental sustainability as well. Urban, industrial, and agricultural discharge release vast quantities of pollutants into nearby streams if not appropriately managed. These include hydrocarbons, nutrients, acids, alkalis, nutrients, and metal compounds. Improper sewage treatment can result in fluxes of bacteria and nutrients into water sources too. In less developed countries infrastructure for waste disposal is limited so huge amounts of waste can be released into lakes, rivers, and oceans. For a sustainable future, large-scale waste management needs to be implemented in these countries and also improved in areas with high agricultural and industrial activity.