Sustainability

Sachs' book describes the need for sustainability, as well as walks the reader through how people view the term "sustainability" differently. Chapter 1 starts by mentioning that sustainable development is "a way of understanding the world and a method for solving global problem." That's a good starting point, a bit vague to encompass all of the complexities, while stating the goal of sustainability. Sachs then talks about the growing number of people and their economic troubles, like finding food, homes, and work, which has been a challenge since the globalization of the world market.
Rio's Earth Summit defined sustainability as a development that doesn't affect present and future generations' needs. This means making sure everyone has the resources they need to survive, without fear of running out of them. Sachs also mentions the goals of sustainability when focusing on well-being. Poverty, inequality, social mobility, discrimination, and social cohesion are all problems faced in society, and sustainability should be used to make sure social inclusion occurs. Government functions, equality, and efficiency are all important factors of living sustainablly.
These are all great ways to understand sustainability, but I'm a bit concerned that these definitions don't mention the environment, just how people will be affected. So, Sachs mentioned the GDP, and how it doesn't account for harm done to the environment, like air and water pollution. Sachs then delves in to the importance of sustainability in ensuring clean drinking water, nutrition, and power to homes, and how it greatly affects areas considered "pockets of poverty" (32). Lastly, Chapter 1 discusses the issues with not living sustainablly, like climate change and altering the ocean's chemistry and the water and nitrogen cycles. "Human-induced climate change" (34) has shifted us into the Anthropocene, where we focus on ourselves outside of the environment we need to survive. Charts of the ever-climbing carbon emissions are shown, as well as the importance of fixing this issue being listed.
Sachs' definition of sustainability focuses on creating the most good for the most people, ensuring it stays that way for generations. This definition also includes reasons why this is important, and the issues involved need to be worked on. However, I think a good, encompassing definition of sustainability is working to improve our lifestyles so that it creates the most good for ourselves as well as the rest of the planet, including the biotic and abiotic factors that help us survive. By including the good of plants, animals, ecosystems, biomes, habitats, and landscapes of the earth, it is better for us, as well as ensures the safety and renewal of the things we need to become closer with, to understand how necessary they are to our continued growth and happiness.

I hope to research the sustainability needs and efforts of either Denmark or Germany, because I've heard some good initiatives from both, including using garbage as energy and giving money to residents with solar panels. It would be interesting to see issues they still have, as well as gauge how much better off environmentally they may be with their proactive sustainability.