Chapter 10
Sustainability
Abstract Sustainability has become a common term and concept in our society
because of the effects of climate change that are being experienced on a wider
scale. To understand this concept, this chapter explores the three major pillars of
sustainability, primary goals of environmental sustainability, social development,
economic development, and environmental protection as well as their applications
and major steps required for maintaining a sustainable economy. The Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) are used as one of the case studies for understanding
the three pillars and the concept of sustainability. The other case studies used are
the Green School in Bali, spiritual ecology, and Grameen Bank while Mohammed
Yunus is explored as one of the major contributors to social and economic
development. This is one of the most important chapters of the book since it explores
a concept that is central to the going green movement. Because of this significance,
future trends are examined to paint an image of the outlooks of sustainability.
Keywords Environmental sustainability · Economic sustainability · Social
sustainability · Sustainable development goals · Mohammed Yunus
10.1 What is Sustainability?
What is sustainability? What are its forms? How do policy makers use it and how
are businesses and scientists involved in it? What is the role of religious leaders?
These are questions we attempt to answer in this chapter. Echoing the title of the
report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, “Our common
future,” sustainability is our goal for the future.
First, we need to define sustainability . The idea of sustainability emerged during
the 1980s from the Brundtland Commission that represented 22 countries from five
continents. The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as “meets
our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs” (International Institute for Sustainable Development n.d). Thus
sustainability is about fostering equality among generations. It is also about the
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
A. A. Akinsemolu, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2493-6_10
229
Sustainability
Abstract Sustainability has become a common term and concept in our society
because of the effects of climate change that are being experienced on a wider
scale. To understand this concept, this chapter explores the three major pillars of
sustainability, primary goals of environmental sustainability, social development,
economic development, and environmental protection as well as their applications
and major steps required for maintaining a sustainable economy. The Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) are used as one of the case studies for understanding
the three pillars and the concept of sustainability. The other case studies used are
the Green School in Bali, spiritual ecology, and Grameen Bank while Mohammed
Yunus is explored as one of the major contributors to social and economic
development. This is one of the most important chapters of the book since it explores
a concept that is central to the going green movement. Because of this significance,
future trends are examined to paint an image of the outlooks of sustainability.
Keywords Environmental sustainability · Economic sustainability · Social
sustainability · Sustainable development goals · Mohammed Yunus
10.1 What is Sustainability?
What is sustainability? What are its forms? How do policy makers use it and how
are businesses and scientists involved in it? What is the role of religious leaders?
These are questions we attempt to answer in this chapter. Echoing the title of the
report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, “Our common
future,” sustainability is our goal for the future.
First, we need to define sustainability . The idea of sustainability emerged during
the 1980s from the Brundtland Commission that represented 22 countries from five
continents. The Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as “meets
our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs” (International Institute for Sustainable Development n.d). Thus
sustainability is about fostering equality among generations. It is also about the
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
A. A. Akinsemolu, The Principles of Green and Sustainability Science,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2493-6_10
229