Such a term as sustainability is discussed by many policy-makers, engineers, and scientists who try to work out the policies that can decrease the influence of human activities on nature. Very often, this term is described as the ability to function independently. Moreover, this notion implies that individuals should take several actions to become less vulnerable to the changes in the external environment. This paper is aimed at showing that it is critical for people to become more sustainable because in this way they can better adjust to economic problems, environmental challenges, and social changes. This is the main thesis that should be elaborated. When speaking about this topic, one should focus on such issues the adoption of alternative energy technologies and the use of products which enable people to reduce various threats to the environment. These are the main questions that should be examined more closely.
Overall, the idea of sustainability began to be used widely in the sixties and seventies (Ricketts 20). At that time, people became aware of various threats that manufacturing enterprises could pose to the environment. For example, one can speak about the indiscriminate use of pesticides which can pollute soil or water and pose risks to the health of people (Ricketts 21). These concerns led to the adoption of various laws aimed at protecting the environment. For instance, one can mention the Clean Water Act or the Wilderness Act (Ricketts 21). These legislative acts were supposed to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment.
It should be born in mind that the idea of sustainability enjoyed significant popularity among people who “opposed to the prevailing structures of society and drawn to voluntaristic associations with weak internal authority” (Ricketts 22). Among them, one can distinguish students who believed that individuals were obliged to protect the society from various risks such as air pollution or nuclear waste. However, in the future, their beliefs were accepted as a norm. In turn, the contemporary notions of sustainability include other elements. In particular, one should focus on the efficient use of resources. This argument is particularly important if one speaks about the efforts of many countries to decrease their oil dependency. Moreover, one should focus on the use of products that can pose a lesser threat to the environment.
For instance, one can speak about energy-efficient vehicles that use bio-fuel or electric power. Therefore, one can argue that sustainability is the ability of groups and individuals to ensure continuous development through the effective use of energy sources and reduction of risks to the natural environment. These are the main aspects that can be identified.
It is possible to provide several objections to this argument. First of all, critics of sustainability can say that the use of alternative energy sources such as solar power cannot meet the needs of the growing population. The opponents of this approach can say that alternative energy sources do not apply to large urban areas. It may be difficult to integrate renewable energy technology since this integration is accompanied by the risks of significant interruptions. This is one of the concerns that should be taken into account. Finally, economists say that investment into alternative energy technologies is not of great interest to private investors because it does not bring considerable dividends (Verbeke 545). This is one of the problems that should not be disregarded. It is important to remember that the infrastructural and capabilities of many countries can be limited.
Moreover, many people may not afford eco-friendly products. Furthermore, it is unethical to impose some standards of consumption on these individuals. These are some of the objections that should not be overlooked. They are important for understanding various barriers to sustainability.
Overall, one can offer several responses to these objections. Admittedly, there are some limitations of renewable energy technologies. One cannot argue that they can be implemented very quickly. However, the existing problems are more likely to be explained by bureaucratic obstacles and unwillingness of many officials to bring significant changes in the energy infrastructure. Scholars argue that “the obstacles to powering the world with wind, water, and sunshine are primarily social and political, not technical or economic” (Delucchi and Jacobson 30). These technologies have already been used in many urban areas. Thus, one can argue that many of the existing problems can be explained by subjective, rather than objective factors.
More importantly, the use of renewable energy sources is more cost-effective than traditional fossil fuels (Delucchi & Jacobson 34). It should be kept in mind that within the last two decades, the efficiency of alternative energy technologies has increased, and these tools can better the needs of people who may live in urban and rural areas. In the long term, they can help individuals and organizations decrease the costs of energy. Therefore, one can say that investment in alternative energy technologies can be economically justified. These are the main issues that should be distinguished.
Additionally, it is critical to mention the use of more eco-friendly products is not a requirement that can be imposed on an individual. In democratic and liberal societies, a person is able to buy the products that he/she likes. More likely, this behavior can be described as a voluntary choice that a person takes. This conduct is based on the so-called “think global act local” principle (Kuzyk 873). In other words, these people believe that a person can reduce various environmental risks by changing some aspects of his/her lifestyle. This is one of the points that can be made.
Apart from that, one should not suppose that environmentally sustainable products are always more expensive. Such an assumption cannot be fully substantiated. In fact, the use of these products can support the economic needs of many people. For example, the use of hybrid cars can save costs because buyers will not have to spend money on gasoline. This is one of the details that should be kept in mind. This example is important for showing that an individual can derive some tangible benefits from purchasing the commodities. This is one of the issues that can be distinguished.
This discussion shows that the need for sustainability can affect a great number of communities. It is essential for the economic, environmental, and social development of many societies that can struggle with such problems as financial crises or overpopulation. The examples provided in this paper the principles of sustainability can be a valid option to societies and individuals because this strategy can help societies reduce the costs of energy infrastructure. Furthermore, the consumption of eco-friendly products often enables individuals to save money and decrease the pollution of the natural environment.
Works Cited
Delucchi, Mark A., and Mark Z. Jacobson. “Meeting The World’S Energy Needs Entirely With Wind, Water, And Solar Power.” Bulletin Of The Atomic Scientists 69.4 (2013): 30-40. Academic Search Premier. Web.
Kuzyk, Les W. “Ecological And Carbon Footprint By Consumption And Income In GIS: Down To A Census Village Scale.” Local Environment 16.9 (2011): 871-886. Academic Search Premier. Web.
Ricketts, Glenn. “The Roots Of Sustainability.” Academic Questions 23.1 (2010): 20-53. Academic Search Premier. Web.
Verbeke, Alan. International Business Strategy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013. Print.