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Introduction

In 2019-2020, the world witnessed a massive Australian bushfire, an unprecedented environmental catastrophe, with over 18 million hectares of land consumed by flames. This disaster resulted in the destruction of more than 5,900 buildings, including over 2,800 homes, and, tragically, the loss of human lives. The ecological impact has been equally devastating, with millions of animals perishing in the fires. These figures underline the dire consequences of climate inaction and highlight the urgent need for sustainable practices.

The bushfires were a manifestation of several environmental mismanagement issues, including but not limited to prolonged drought, record-breaking temperatures, and inadequate forest management practices. These factors, coupled with the broader context of global warming, created a tinderbox ready to ignite. The aftermath of the fires has prompted a global conversation on the importance of adopting sustainable living standards and the urgent need for policies that prioritise environmental preservation and carbon footprint reduction.

The Australian bushfires exemplify the dire consequences of neglecting environmental sustainability. This disaster serves as a clarion call for the immediate adoption of sustainable practices as a non-negotiable element of our survival strategy. It starkly illustrates that “Sustainability is not a choice but a necessity for survival”.

Thesis

This essay explores the essence of sustainability, examining the critical state of unsustainable development globally and discussing how sustainability has become an indispensable necessity for our survival. At the end, it outlines a comprehensive strategy for ensuring sustainability, emphasising its role not as an optional choice but as an essential action for securing a viable future for all.

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Meaning of sustainability 

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This encompasses environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The statement “Sustainability is not a choice but a necessity for survival” underscores the urgent need for these practices as essential for the continued existence and health of our planet and its inhabitants, ensuring a livable world for future generations. As emphasized by Barack Obama, “We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.”

Current Status of Unsustainable Development:

This is especially crucial in today’s world, where unsustainable development around the globe can be seen in environmental, economic, and social spheres. Environmentally, the relentless exploitation of natural resources and high carbon emissions have led to severe consequences like climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution. This is exemplified by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a massive accumulation of ocean plastics demonstrating the extent of environmental neglect.

Economically, unsustainable practices are often characterised by an overreliance on non-renewable energy sources, leading to global warming and pollution. This is evident in fast-growing economies like China and India, where fossil fuels account for 82% and 88% of primary energy consumption, respectively. The exploitation of cheap labour in developing countries to produce goods consumed in the developed world is another stark example of economic unsustainability, often disregarding fair trade principles and workers’ rights. The garment industry in Bangladesh serves as a tragic illustration of this exploitation.

Socially, unsustainable development is evident in the widening wealth gap within and between countries, contributing to social unrest. As highlighted by the World Inequality Report 2022, the richest 10% of the global population receives 52% of all income, while the poorest 50% only receive 8.5%. In India as well, the top 10 percent of the population get 57 percent of national income, and the top 1 percent get 22 percent, as per the 2024 Asia-Pacific Human Development Report.

In this scenario of unsustainable development across the globe today, sustainability has transcended the realm of choice to become a critical necessity for survival, touching upon every aspect of human life and the environment. Rachel Carson’s insight, “There is no such thing as a free lunch,” aptly captures the essence of our times, where the environmental bill for decades of neglect is due. And it can be clearly seen in the alarming rate of premature deaths due to air pollution, as highlighted by a Lancet study in 2023 estimating 2.2 million such cases in India in 2019 alone, which starkly underlines the life-or-death stakes involved.

It indicates the dire need for sustainable practices to improve air quality and, consequently, public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 77% of diseases in India are linked to unclean environments, underscoring the health benefits of sustainability efforts in reducing disease prevalence. However, this environmental degradation not only threatens lives directly through health impacts but also indirectly through economic consequences, with the World Bank projecting a staggering $2.7 trillion annual decline in global GDP by 2030 due to the loss of ecosystem services.

Beyond these, the existential threat to biodiversity and ecosystems calls for immediate action. According to a 2022 study, roughly 30% of species have been globally threatened or driven extinct since the sixteenth century, which is often referred to as the 6th mass extinction. This global loss of biodiversity and the resulting disruption of ecological balances highlight the urgency of adopting sustainable practices to ensure the preservation of our natural world for future generations.

On a more positive note, sustainability also presents opportunities for economic growth through job creation. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that transitioning to a green economy could create 24 million new jobs worldwide by 2030, provided the right policies are implemented. This shift not only addresses environmental concerns but also promotes economic resilience and job security.

Sustainability as a Necessity for Survival:

But what should be the strategy for realizing this critical necessity of sustainability? To ensure sustainability, a comprehensive and multi-dimensional strategy is essential, incorporating policy frameworks, shifting paradigms, behavioural changes, and global collaboration.

Firstly, the foundation of sustainability lies in robust policy frameworks. Governments worldwide, including India, must enact stringent environmental regulations that prioritize renewable energy sources over fossil fuels and introduce carbon pricing models to account for environmental externalities. For example, the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) serves as a model for carbon pricing, effectively incentivizing businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

Secondly, as it is said that “Waste is not waste until we waste it” there is a need for shifting paradigms towards a circular economy and resource efficiency. It should be based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s work globally and initiatives like the Zero Waste Project in Kerala showcase the potential of circular economy principles in reducing environmental footprints while fostering economic growth.

Thirdly, fostering behavioural change among individuals and communities is vital. Promoting environmental education and creating public awareness campaigns can significantly influence societal attitudes towards sustainability. Campaigns like the United Nations’ ActNow and India’s LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) movement which aims to change individual behaviours towards more sustainable practices, are prime examples of leveraging the power of informed citizenry in driving sustainability.

Lastly, global collaboration is indispensable for sustainability. As former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon once stated, “Climate change does not respect border; it does not respect who you are – rich and poor, small and big. Therefore, this is what we call ‘global challenges,’ which require global solidarity.” Thus, encouraging initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance led by India and France for technology sharing and the Green Climate Fund ensuring financial support for developing nations becomes vital in this regard to advance global sustainability efforts.

Conclusion

Overall, this essay has traversed the critical state of unsustainable development across the globe, highlighting its multifaceted impacts on public health, economic stability, and social equity. It underscores that “Sustainability is not a choice but a necessity for survival,” one that necessitates a comprehensive approach encompassing policy reform, paradigm shifts towards circular economies, behavioural change, and global cooperation.

Looking forward, by embracing sustainability, we can embark on a path that ensures the well-being of current and future generations, fostering a world where economic growth does not come at the expense of ecological balance. As Mahatma Gandhi insightfully remarked, “The Earth has enough resources to meet the needs of all but not enough to satisfy the greed of even one person,” emphasizing the necessity for a sustainable approach to consumption and resource use.

The journey towards sustainability is complex and challenging, yet it offers the most promising route to a thriving planet and society. Embracing this vision requires unwavering commitment, creativity, and collaboration from all sectors of society worldwide, aiming for a future where humanity flourishes in harmony with nature. As Max Lucado aptly put it, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” This collective effort is vital in overcoming the “greatest threat to our planet—the belief that someone else will save it,” as Robert Swan warned. Together, we can forge a sustainable path forward, ensuring that our actions today cultivate a viable and flourishing world for generations to come.

In a world on fire, where forests blaze,  

We stand at the crossroads, through the haze.  

“Sustainability,” not just a choice, but our survival’s call,  

A path for one and all, lest we fall.  

Renew the earth, air, and sea,  

For the future’s key lies with you and me.  

Together we strive, hand in hand,  

For a greener, fairer, sustainable land.  

From waste to wealth, from grey to green,  

In every act, let our love for the planet be seen.  

“Sustainability,” a necessity, not just a dream,  

For a world that thrives as a united team.  

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