What is Sustainability?

Sustainability Principles & Practice 

Ch. 1 What is Sustainability (p. 3-7) - 

The planet faces many problems that are connected, including poverty, impaired health, overpopulation, resource depletion, food and water scarcity, political instability, and the destruction of the life support systems we all depend on (Robertson 2017). 

    The list of the planet's problems stuck to me in this reading because it entails how us humans are provided resources by nature that we are dependent on. Yet, as a whole most neglect our responsibility in taking care of the planet to keep us alive in the near future. As I read the list of problems that the planet is facing, I realize that there is a solution to each and every problem. That solution is community. We can take part in sustainable living by simply practicing the three green components we've been taught to implement at a young age: reusing, reducing, and recycling. Implementing a greener way of living in our daily lives is nothing compared to what the planet has sacrificed for our well-being. 

Ch. 2 A Brief History of Sustainability (p. 12-24) - 

The 1990s and 2000s were lively years in the field of sustainability as the number of sustainability-related organizations increased dramatically and sustainability became firmly established within schools, colleges, and universities (Robertson 2017).

It's refreshing to know that there was a time where past generations were fixated on developing property in a sustainable way. The awareness brought the community together as organizations consider the environment where property is being built, while finding ways to benefit the nature that surrounds them and encourage the student body to take part in the initiative. Florida Gulf Coast University is an example of a university that upheld sustainable practice to this day.

https://www.admtl.com/en/adm/communities/sustainable-development

 The connection between all three parts of the triple bottom line of sustainability:

    1. People - Belden, a factory in Indiana, shows the importance of bringing a community of people together. Nowadays, it's difficult to find employers that care for your well-being more than money. It's a heartwarming moment hearing a story about giving people with drug problems a second chance. I was surprised to read that not only was Belden launching a program for their current employees to get the help they needed, but also helping future employees who plan to eventually be a part of the workforce. 

    2. Prosperity - The problem Belden experienced was a shortage of workers, especially as the drug epidemic grew. The lack of workers meant money was going towards overtime pay and without a sufficient amount of employees, uncompleted projects resulted in missed sales targets. The pilot program launched due to the high percentage of applicants failing drug tests. The pilot program provided employees with medical treatments and transportation to treatment. An investment of $5,000 per employee to receive medical treatment ended up costing more than the factory originally planned on spending. The economical goal may not have been directly towards the factory's finances, but more on investing in the people of their community.  

    3. Planet - As learned in colloquium this far, the planet involves the community to come together and reach an end goal that benefits the environment, which undeniably benefits the people. In Belden, they knocked out two problems by making the choice to employ people with drug problems and providing them with the treatment they need. The environment Belden has created for their employees is what attracts families in their community and gives them hope for a better future. 

In the end, the three P's connect to one another by having one thing in common...a community of people that care for each other. Without people there would be no prosperity or a planet. We make up the triple bottom line and the sooner we recognize that, the sooner we put sustainability into action.