All things sustainable are 'green', but are all things 'green' sustainable? Well, the answer is: not so much. In fact, after today you won't see the terms 'green' (unless referring to the actual color), 'earth-friendly', or 'eco-friendly' here on the blog. Why? Greenwashing. Over the past few years the media and advertisers have misused and abused these terms to the point that they have lost their original meaning.
We need a term with an expanded and encompassing definition, one that is understandable and can be widely accepted as the standard by professionals and advocates. That term is sustainability. We hope to protect it from the inevitable attempts to also 'greenwash' it by helping everyone understand its definition.
So What Is Sustainability? Sometimes called the three 'E's', this is what sustainability means to us:
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
Environment
To protect the environment, minimizing the use of non-renewable resources, and using renewable resources at a rate that can be maintained.
Economy
Developing an economy that is vital and dynamic, and integrated with environmental goals.
Equity/ Social Benefit
Ensure that while achieving environmental and economic goals, all aspects of society are benefited, and no aspects of society are harmed.
That is it. Simple and elegant. But not always easily achieved. We are, if nothing else, practical and pragmatic and look at this as a guiding force and goal. It is a tool to help you access a level of sustainability.
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