Sustainability means different things to different people. For instance, sustainability for a business person means continuation of profits. For an environmental enthusiast, it means fighting against pollution and preserving natural resources. In one country, it is reducing green-house-gas emissions and in other it is stopping labor exploitation.
Is Go Green Sustainability?
"Sustainability is that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
This definition encompasses a range of subjects and disciplines. In fact, the seventeen UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ranging from "End Poverty" to "Partnership for Goals", cuts across several disciples including physical, social, natural and computational sciences.
The Economics of Sustainability
Let's recollect the basic economic principle.
"Resources are scarce and needs are unlimited."
In economics, this principle leads to market competition, but in sustainability studies, it leads to judicious use of resources. Sometimes, these goals also appear to be in conflict. Take for example, achieving economic prosperity through oil exploration, gold mining etc. It helped several countries to become economically stronger and socially safer. However, it disrupted the local ecosystems and left several species vulnerable. An urgency in shutting them down will leave some local communities insecure and vulnerable, who depend on these resources.
But when you bring them all together, it creates a new paradigm where economic capital shake hands with social good, and creates a future that is scalable and sustainable.
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