Sustainability

Sustainability is a term used to describe the degree with which something is self-sufficient and replenish-able. It has recently become a marketing buzzword as well, often used to describe new technology offerings and/or political policies.

Economic Sustainability

Economic Sustainability is a statement about the viability, longevity, self-sufficiency, fairness of competition and (lately) overall health of an economy. A sustainable economy would not depend on external forces for its sustenance (continuation of its thriving), and unlike an unsustainable economy, does not require constant growth and/or purchase activity to be in a positive status.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability is a statement about the self-reliance, net positive (as opposed to destructive) status, and (lately) overall quality of an environment, based on a number of factors including: quality of life, life expectancy, species replacement rate, fairness of competition for resources amongst members of species (and between species themselves), and total resources required.

Resource Based Economy

Resource Based approaches to managing a sustainable Economy. Jacques Fresco was one of the early pioneers and longest serving, most successful visionary on how a "Resource Based Economy" could work.

TREES

3.4 trillion trees / 8 billion people = 425 trees for every person

WATER

30.06% x 35029 km3 = 10530 km3 fresh water / 8 billion people = 1.3 km3 per person

LAND

149 million km2 / 8 billion people = 0.186 km2 = 4.6 acres for every person

Based on 247.1 acres per square kilometer.

ARABLE LAND

51 million km2 / 8 billion people = 6.375 thousand km2 for every person

LAND BETTER SERVED LEFT TO WILDLIFE / UNTOUCHED

GOLD

244,000 metric tons of gold / 8 billion people = 0.0305 metric ton of gold per person

SILVER

1.06 billion ounces / 8 billion people = 132.5 million ounces per person

BRONZE

^[1] ^[2] ^[3] ^[4] ^[5] ^[6] ^[7] ^[8] ^[9] ^[10]

SDGs

The "Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs) are the United Nation's (UN) initiative claiming to pursue 17 outcomes:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End poverty in all its forms everywhere
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Reduce inequality within and among countries
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts [n 10]
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

Although ambitious and noble-sounding in nature, they are part of the often criticized "Agenda 2030" (which is a revision of the original Agenda21) which some worry put sustainability goals such as emissions targets over realistic human health and well-being. Some are attempting to work against or stop this plan as most if not all goals could have negative consequences from myopic implementation, while others feel the best parts of the plan could be implemented safely while those that risk negative impacts to particular communities or groups could be modified, deferred until a better approach is identified, or removed altogether.