Sustainability: definition with simple natural science

Sustainability Illustrated・2 minutes read

Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising future generations' ability, with a focus on conserving energy and matter in the biosphere. It addresses the root causes of unsustainability by focusing on material extraction, substances accumulation, natural cycle inhibition, and barriers to meeting basic human needs globally.

Insights

  • Sustainable development aims to balance present needs with future generations' well-being, as defined by a group of scientists in the late 1980s, focusing on biosphere operations, energy sources, and matter conservation.
  • Addressing the root causes of unsustainability involves managing material extraction, preventing the accumulation of harmful substances, maintaining natural cycles, and ensuring global access to essential human needs.

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Recent questions

  • What is sustainable development?

    Sustainable development is the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves balancing economic, social, and environmental factors to ensure long-term viability.

  • How was sustainability defined scientifically?

    Sustainability was defined scientifically by a group of 50 scientists in the late 1980s. They focused on the biosphere, energy, matter conservation, and entropy to create a comprehensive definition of sustainability.

  • How does the biosphere operate?

    The biosphere, where life is possible, operates using energy from the Sun and matter conservation. It maintains balance through cycles that regulate oxygen, CO2, and the movement of matter to sustain life on Earth.

  • What is the goal of sustainable development?

    The goal of sustainable development is to ensure that human society can continue to thrive within natural cycles. By addressing the root causes of unsustainability, sustainable development aims to create a harmonious balance between human needs and environmental preservation.

  • What are the four root causes of unsustainability?

    The four root causes of unsustainability include extracting large material flows from the Earth's crust, creating substances that accumulate in nature, disrupting natural cycles, and creating obstacles to meeting basic human needs globally. Addressing these root causes is essential for achieving sustainable development.

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Summary

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"Defining Sustainable Development: Meeting Present Needs"

  • Sustainable development is defined as meeting present needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs, a clear and easily understood concept.
  • A scientific definition of sustainability was created by a group of 50 scientists in the late 1980s, focusing on the biosphere, energy, matter conservation, and entropy.
  • The biosphere, where life is possible, operates with energy from the Sun and matter conservation, with cycles balancing oxygen, CO2, and matter movement.
  • Sustainability is the human society's capacity to continue within natural cycles, with sustainable development aiming to achieve this state by addressing four root causes of unsustainability.
  • The four root causes include extracting large material flows from the Earth's crust, creating substances that accumulate in nature, inhibiting natural cycles, and creating barriers to meeting basic human needs worldwide.
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