Why Is Sustainability Important? Improving Earth’s Future

By Dr. Suzanne Agan  |  11/07/2024

Sustainability is a simple principle with complicated implementation. It’s the concept that everything we need for our survival and well-being depends on our natural environment.

The United Nations took the definition of sustainability a much-needed step further at the United Nations Brundtland Commission. The UN defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

We each have a responsibility in how we live. Our daily actions inevitably affect the world around us and impart our environmental footprint.

Why does sustainability matter? It is important because we need a steady supply of food, clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment in which to thrive. By living sustainably, we plan not only for our own well-being but also that of our neighbors and future generations.

Saving the Environment for Future Generations

Intergenerational equity is an important concept that basically conveys that humans are part of a global community that includes all generations. Everyone has the right to inherit the same benefits and natural resources for equal access and use.

We must not rob future generations of their well-being to satisfy our own selfish desires. Most of what we would consider our own "needs" are in fact wants, especially in developed nations such as the United States. You only need to look at the amount of waste generated every day to appreciate the gravity of how much less we actually need.

This idea also applies to our own communities today. Sustainability and social equity are deeply interconnected, focusing on creating a fair and just society while protecting the environment.

When we use sustainable practices, more communities – especially marginalized ones – have better access to resources such as clean water and economic opportunities. Unfortunately, low-income communities are typically the ones disproportionately affected by hazards such as water and air pollution. These environmental issues would be positively impacted by more sustainable business practices.

Current Sustainability Problems

There are various problems that are tied to sustainability. They include:

• Green spaces
• Climate change
• Alternative energy sources
• Agriculture
• Water

Green Spaces

Green spaces such as parks, gardens, and recreational areas improve mental and physical health. In urban areas, green spaces play a particularly important role in sustainable development. They improve environmental conditions, promote active lifestyles and outdoor recreation, and protect biodiversity through natural habitats for wildlife.

As part of the natural environment, green spaces reduce our carbon footprint by absorbing greenhouse gas emissions. As our world strives to become carbon-neutral, these areas are important to environmental sustainability.

Climate Change

Climate change is a major concern today, especially since we have started seeing evidence of past uncontrolled carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuels. Since the Industrial Revolution, our energy consumption has increased exponentially along with human population growth and economic growth.

We didn't know then what the repercussions would be. But today, we have the knowledge and the responsibility for addressing environmental concerns, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and using more sustainable practices.

Most gas emissions come from fossil fuels and industrial activities, but also from agriculture, deforestation, and other land use changes. This graph from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows how carbon dioxide emissions have changed since 1850.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency.

When we talk about sustainability, the negative impacts of gas emissions are a major concern. The consequences of climate change affect our quality of life, energy costs, air quality, supply chains, and many other sustainability-related issues. On the other hand, sustainable practices such as using renewable energy sources can lower those emissions and mitigate future climate change.

So what will a warmer climate be like? We know the atmosphere is heating up; there is no scientific debate or disagreement in this question.

A warmer atmosphere causes the climate to change in many different ways. Sometimes this means a polar vortex, which drops down to the state of Texas and freezes over important infrastructure.

We are already experiencing more frequent droughts or monsoons depending on the year and geographical area. In addition, sea levels have risen, and the ocean is more acidic every year.

It also means warmer oceans. This year, we witnessed the devastating effects of a warmer Gulf of Mexico when Hurricane Helene struck the mountains of western North Carolina and other areas of the U.S. southeast.

Nobody could have imagined a hurricane having such an impact on a mountainous area so far from the eastern coast of the U.S. This change was due in part to an ocean that was warmer and deeper than in previous years.

These weather-related changes can overwhelm infrastructure such as sewer and stormwater systems. They cause some species to move to more friendly habitats, increasing the impacts of invasive species.

In addition, there has been a surge in more human and wildlife diseases around the globe. As a result, we need to eliminate unsustainable practices when it comes to our use of fossil fuels and gas emissions.

Alternative Energy Sources

One way to lower gas emissions is through the use of alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind energy. Lately, there has been a big push for electric or hybrid vehicles.

There are benefits and considerations over the move to more electric vehicles. The benefits include no tailpipe emissions, the ability to charge with renewable energy sources and a reduction in fossil fuel use. Some of the considerations include the burden on existing infrastructure, mineral mining, and ethical business practices if labor or minerals are sourced outside the U.S.

In the case of fuel sources, social responsibility includes diversification. If we had known what using fossil fuels would do to our atmosphere, health, and future back in the 1800s, we would have done things differently.

We have learned so much since then, but we have a long way to go to improve our impact on our planet. Through the study and research of all available possibilities for energy production, we can then choose the best and most sustainable options.

Agriculture

I recently had a conversation with someone from an organization that hosts a major local organic food swap. This year is their last because most of the farmers involved are aging out, and their children are not taking over the family farms.

Instead, most of the farmland is being sold off to development. That shrinking supply of farmland is not unique to my community, however. More and more agricultural land is being sold for other purposes.

According to American Farmland Trust, 11 million acres of agricultural land were paved over, divided up, or converted to uses that jeopardize agriculture between 2001-2016. The loss of available farmland curtailed sustainable food production, impacted economic opportunities, and resulted in a loss of the environmental benefits from well-managed farmland and ranchland.

We don't just lose food from the loss of agriculture land; we also lose it from poor practices. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the United States alone loses about $44 billion per year to erosion. This amount includes lost productivity, along with sedimentation and water pollution.

While there have been major losses, more societies are turning toward sustainable practices that ensure food sources for our future, such as:

• Using terraced farming on hillsides
• Covering crops to prevent erosion and increase fertility
• Using agroforestry systems
• Employing organic fertilizers such as manure to enhance soil

Sustainable farming protects our natural resources while providing a consistent reliable source of nutrition. While sustainable practices exist, are proven effective, and can even save time and money for farmers, there is still a lot of room left to grow.

According to McKinsey and Company, approximately 90% of farm owners in the U.S. have an understanding of sustainable farming. Unfortunately, even though the knowledge is there, very few farmers actually incorporate sustainable practices.

The U.S. Agency for International Development notes that 800 million people across the globe go to bed hungry every night, and the global population is still rising.

Even in the U.S., 13.5% of American households (18 million) are food-insecure. To be a sustainable society, we will have to change how we think about food and agriculture.

Water

With every new home and every corporate building that is built, water lines are needed and more water is drawn from local supplies. Here in the southeast of the U.S., we have “water wars.” States such as Alabama, Georgia, and Florida have been negotiating the use of limited water resources that flow between the states.

In a time when the climate is changing, local communities and business leaders must grapple with several crucial questions, such as:

• Who is entitled to the water?
• How much should be left in the rivers to flow down to the next city and state?
• What happens in drought years?

Water is essential for life, pure and simple. Conserving natural resources such as underground water supplies is key for sustainability.

The American Geosciences Institute states, “Water is vital for agriculture, human consumption, industry, and energy generation. If local surface water and groundwater are used up or contaminated beyond use, it becomes necessary to turn to alternative, often more expensive water sources.”

It is often said (even by me) that we never lose water. In fact, all the water that ever existed is still found here on Earth and cycles constantly.

However, fresh, available, and clean water is another story. Only 3% of the earth's water is fresh and 2.5% of that is locked away in areas such as glaciers and polar ice caps.

What is even more terrifying is that climate change is now causing that remaining 0.5% water supply to shrink further. According to the United Nations, terrestrial water storage – including soil moisture, snow, and ice – has dropped at an annual rate of one centimeter over the past 20 years. That fact has major ramifications for water security.

Using Sustainable Practices

Environmental sustainability is crucial to our future. I believe most of us would like to reduce our environmental impact, preserve resources, and be socially responsible, especially for the benefit of future generations.

I also know that we often look after our own interests. The problem is that we have not yet tied those interests to sustainability.

When you consume less, you save money and reduce waste. Reusable grocery bags are way better and easier to carry than plastic bags at the store.

Quality always beats quantity, especially for long-term economic benefits. Keeping that in mind, here are some sustainable living ideas you can use at home now to help conserve natural resources:

• Choose sustainable materials: Look for clothing made from organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, or recycled materials. These fabrics have a lower environmental impact compared to conventional cotton or synthetic fibers.
• Buy less, choose well: Focus on quality over quantity. Invest in timeless, durable clothing that you can wear for years, rather than following fast fashion trends.
• Support ethical brands: Choose to buy products from retailers that are transparent about their supply chain and committed to fair labor practices. Sustainable businesses like Patagonia®, Everlane®, and Reformation® are well-known for their sustainable practices.
• Buy secondhand and vintage: Shopping at thrift stores, consignment shops, or online platforms like ThredUp® and Poshmark® can give used clothes a second life and reduce waste.
• Care for your clothes: Extend the life of your garments by washing them less frequently, using cold water, and hanging them up to dry. Repair clothes instead of discarding them.
• Rent or borrow clothing: For special occasions, consider renting outfits from services like Rent the Runway® or borrowing from friends. These practices reduce the need for single-use purchases.
• Upcycle and do-it-yourself: Get creative by upcycling old clothes into new items or customizing them to fit current fashion trends. This practice not only saves money but also reduces the number of items that end up in landfills.

To achieve true corporate sustainability, companies must use a triple bottom line approach. In other words, businesses should commit to measuring their social and environmental impacts and their financial performance, instead of just focusing on generating profit.

Image courtesy of author.

Human rights, social justice, economic development, natural resources, and economic growth are all factors associated with sustainability for good reason. Sustainable practices will ensure we have what we need to survive and raise our quality of life. We owe it to not only ourselves, but all who will come after us.

Environmental Degrees at American Military University

For adult learners who are interested in sustainability, environmental science, and similar topics, American Military University (AMU) offers two degrees:

• An online bachelor’s degree in environmental science
• An online master’s degree in environmental policy and management

Courses in these degree programs feature topics such as environmental economics, water science, soil science, and environmental ethics. Other topics include global environmental chance, environmental toxicology, sustainability, and environmental management.

These courses are taught by faculty members with considerable expertise in environmental science and sustainability. For more information, visit our science degree program page.

Patagonia is a registered trademark of Patagonia, Inc.
Everlane is a registered trademark of Everlane, Inc.
Reformation is a registered trademark of Lymi, Inc.
ThredUp is a registered trademark of ThredUp, Inc.
Poshmark is a registered trademark of Poshmark, Inc.
Rent the Runway is a registered trademark of Rent the Runway, Inc.