What Do You Want to Know about Sustainability?
What do you want to know about sustainability? When I began working on corporate social and environmental responsibility in the 1990s, the term “sustainability” was uncommon.
Britannica references it as “the long-term viability of a community, set of social institutions, or societal practice. In general, sustainability is understood as a form of intergenerational ethics in which the environmental and economic actions taken by present persons do not diminish the opportunities of future persons to enjoy similar levels of wealth, utility, or welfare.”
The University of New Hampshire, one of the five most sustainable universities in the U.S., considers sustainability as a “collective commitment to human dignity for all people and ecological integrity in all places.”
My favorite perspective on sustainability comes from the legacy of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, or the Five Nations Iroquois Confederacy, which is known as “among the most ancient continuously operating governments in the world.” Their values are known as The Seventh Generation: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”
Sustainability touches every aspect of our lives and can be integrated into everything we do. To grasp the full scope of sustainability, experts and practitioners introduced concepts like the triple bottom line or the three pillars, often referred to as "people, planet, and profit" or "environment, economy, and society." These pillars are woven into actions such as reducing waste, using eco-packaging, ensuring access to safe water, adopting renewable energy sources, fostering diversity in the workforce, and growing profitability.
By embracing these practices, both businesses and nonprofit organizations can enhance efficiency, strengthen their culture, and bolster their reputation. If you're interested in elevating these perspectives and implementing these practices within your organization, please reach out to Sustainable Futures Consulting. We're here to help you drive positive change and achieve sustainable success.
