Southern New Hampshire University
Global Perspectives in Sustainability
Week 1 Notes
Understanding Sustainability
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is a holistic approach that aims to balance three pillars: environment, social justice,
and business. This balance is critical to the well-being of the current and future generations. At
the same time, we must look at the past and learn from our mistakes (i.e., why was something not
sustainable?). If we look deeper into sustainability, we must consider the Seven Ws and One H
regarding how we define, research, and practice sustainability.
Who needs to be sustainable? To limit global climate change, all humans must play a
more active role.
What does it take to be sustainable? All humans need to change their environmental
habits and lifestyle.
When should we be sustainable? Humans should change these habits as soon as possible.
Change is slow, but we need to start before it is too late.
Where should we be sustainable? Everywhere we can. We all live on the same planet.
Which companies/organizations should be sustainable? Any organization that cares about
our planet and future on it.
How do you become sustainable? By educating yourself on global climate change and
what short-term and long-term changes you can do.
The word sustainable is used in various contexts to describe practices, processes, or systems that
can be maintained over time without causing harm to the environment, depleting natural
resources, or negatively impacting future generations.
In general, the use of the term sustainable reflects a growing awareness of the need to address
the negative impact that human activities can have on the environment and the need to adopt
practices that promote the long-term well-being of the planet and its inhabitants (Our Common
Future, 1987).
The United Nations and Sustainability Goals
1. No poverty. End poverty in all its forms everywhere.
2. Zero hunger. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote
sustainable agriculture.
3. Good Health and Well-Being. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all
ages.
4. Quality Education. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong
learning opportunities for all.
5. Gender Equality. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water
and sanitation for all.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and
modern energy for all.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth. Promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable
economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive
and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
10. Reduced Inequalities. Reduce inequality within and among countries.
11. Sustainable Cites and Communities. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production. Ensure sustainable consumption and
productive patterns.
13. Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
14. Life Below Water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources
for sustainable development.
15. Life on Land. Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems,
sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation
and halt biodiversity loss.
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for
sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
17. Partnerships for the Goals. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the
Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.
The Politics, History, and Economics Sustainability: Past, Present, and Future of
Sustainability
Overall, the politics, history, and economics of sustainability are interconnected and involve a
complex interplay of different factors. The idea is to have a balance between economic
development and environmental protection and to ensure social well-being without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (United Nations, 1987).
Is Sustainability Just a Buzzword? A Fad or Trend?
Sustainability is not just a buzzword or a passing fad. It is a concept that has gained increasing
attention and importance in recent years due to growing concerns about the impact of human
activities on the environment and the need to ensure that future generations have access to the
resources they need to thrive.
Sustainability is now widely recognized as a critical issue by governments, businesses, and
individuals around the world. Many organizations have made commitments to reducing their
carbon footprint, increasing the use of renewable energy, and improving the sustainability of
their products and operations.
In addition, sustainability has been incorporated into national and international policy
frameworks, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to ensure that
economic growth is achieved in a way that is socially inclusive and environmentally responsible.
In short, sustainability is more than just a trend. It is a widely recognized and important concept
that is driving real change in the way that societies and economies operate (Apetrei et al., 2021).
Responsibility for sustainability should be shared by individuals, businesses, governments, and
organizations, as all these entities play important roles in shaping our world and its impact on the
environment. Each group can contribute in different ways:
Individuals: As individuals, we can adopt sustainable practices in our daily lives, such as
reducing our consumption of single-use plastics, conserving energy and water, using
public transportation or biking instead of driving, and supporting sustainable businesses.
Businesses: Businesses can take steps to reduce their environmental impact by
implementing sustainable practices in their operations, such as reducing waste and energy
consumption, using sustainable materials and production methods, and investing in
renewable energy.
Governments: Governments can create policies and regulations that promote
sustainability, such as incentives for renewable energy adoption, funding for sustainable
infrastructure, and regulations on carbon emissions.
Organizations: Organizations can also play a role in promoting sustainability, such as
through sustainability reporting, sustainable procurement, and partnerships with
sustainable business and non-profit organizations.
College students can play an important role in promoting sustainability. Here are some actions
they can take:
1. Reduce energy consumption: Students can reduce energy consumption by turning off
lights, unplugging electronics when not in use, and using natural light instead of artificial
light whenever possible.
2. Reduce water consumption: Students can reduce water consumption by taking shorter
showers, fixing leaky faucets, and using low-flow toilets.
3. Reduce waste: Students can reduce waste by using reusable water bottles, coffee mugs,
and lunch containers. They can also recycle and compost whenever possible.
4. Use sustainable transportation: Students can use sustainable transportation such as
biking, walking, or taking public transportation to reduce their carbon footprint.
5. Support sustainable businesses: Students can support sustainable businesses by choosing
to buy from companies that prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly
practices.
6. Advocate for sustainability: Students can advocate for sustainability by raising awareness
about environmental issues, encouraging others to take action, and participating in
sustainability initiatives on campus and in the community.
By taking these actions and promoting sustainable practices, college students can make a
positive impact on the environment and help create a more sustainable future for all. Overall,
sustainability is a collective responsibility, and everyone can play a role in creating a more
sustainable future.
References
Apetrei, C. I., Caniglia, G., von Wehrden, H., & Lang, D. J., (2021). Just another buzzword?
A systematic literature review of knowledge-related concepts in sustainability
science.CGlobal Environmental Change, 68, 0959–3780.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102222
United Nations. (1987, August 4). Report of the World Commission on Environment and
Development. Retrieved March 10, 2023, from
https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/139811?ln=en
United Nations. (n.d.). The 17 goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
