The Importance of Sustainability

By Adelene van Zyl

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability can be defined as the ability to be maintained at a specific level. It is important that the current generation should provide and maintain sufficient resources for future generations to live at the same economic and environmental level as the current generation does. In addition, sustainability entails maintaining changes in a balanced environment. The Earth has a certain carrying capacity in order to function at a good and healthy rate. When we exceed the carrying capacity of the Earth, we are no longer sustainable and put current and future generations at risk of depleting resources.

Sustainability is divided into three main components according to the World Summit of Social Development in 2005. The three components are economic development, social development and environmental protection. Sustainable development will only be effective if these components are interlinked. Sustainability will only attract investments if it promotes economic growth. By increasing economic growth, living standards in communities will be improved. In order for higher living standards to be sustainable, environmental protection and resource management must be applied.

The United Nations also saw sustainability as a key component in moving forward in unity, when 178 countries adopted Agenda 21 for Sustainable Development at the Earth Summit in Rio De Janeiro in 1992. There are seventeen Sustainable Development Goals in the 2030 Agenda of which ten out of these seventeen goals involve agricultural practices. These goals are:

1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industrialisation and infrastructure
10. Reduced inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals

Sustainability in Agriculture
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The main goal of sustainability in agriculture is to meet the current food and textile needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their food and textile needs. Sustainability in agriculture aims to improve soil health, decrease pollution and to improve the use of water in farming practices. It also aims to increase crop quantity and quality in an efficient and effective manner, without degrading the environment.

In conclusion, I would like to encourage you with a quote from Arthur Ashe to apply sustainability:
“Begin where you are, use what you have, and do what you can.”