Sustainability for the Next-Generation
Based on Merriam-Webster (1828), the word ‘sustainability’ is a noun. The adjective form, ‘sustainable’, refers to a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged. The concept emerged from concerns about environmental issues, such as global warming, climate change, and ozone depletion, which affect the quality of life for our population. From that, the 1987 Brundtland Report was published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) to present the concept of sustainable development. It was sponsored by the United Nations (UN) with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Gro Harlem Brundtland, as the chairperson. The WCED determined the cause of environmental issues and understood the connections between three sectors: social, economic, and environmental. This means that the word ‘sustainability’ did not come from nothing. It was developed thoroughly to meet the current needs of society without compromising the resources of future generations.Â
The three sectors were social, economic, and environmental sustainability. These three contribute to balancing our resources, and they are very dependent on one another.
Social Sustainability
In social sustainability, this involves all individuals in the community having the opportunity to achieve a good, healthy, and meaningful life with equal access to all resources. It promotes values of equity, access to service, cultural preservation, public participation, and social resilience. An individual can address inequalities in the system that are related to gender, ethnicity, and class, and ensure that the individual can access services such as healthcare, education, housing, and clean water. Hence, they are also encouraged to participate in engagement and representation in government decisions in terms of strengthening every community to adapt and become resilient to economic shifts, climate risks, and social pressures.
Economic Sustainability
Economic sustainability involves an economy that generates jobs to provide for the community without destroying the environment and social foundations that support them. Taking into consideration our environment, the plan must be for long-term stability. This involves investments in clean technologies, loop business models, and low-carbon infrastructure to lessen damage to the environment. A sustainable finance where the capital is redirected to industries that promote environmental and cooperative systems. Manpower systems that ensure worker employment is safe, dignified, and adaptable to future transitions. And also, a resilient local economy where we support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), local supply chains, and cooperative systems. One example of this is supporting our local farmers by buying rice and produce directly from them.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability refers to the maintenance of the ecosystems that provide clean air, fresh water, fertile soil, and stable climates for the community. This involved a goal of avoiding depletion or degradation of natural resources. It promotes conservation of resources, biodiversity protection, pollution control, sustainable land and water use, and renewable energy transition. This includes the efficient use of resources like water, minerals, and fossil fuels as we transition to renewable alternatives, and the preservation of plant and animal life for food security. Through modern agriculture and industrial practices, we can also prevent deforestation and excessive water consumption.Â
Sustainability can be referred to as the practice of maintaining our resources today so we’ll have resources to use tomorrow. These three areas of sustainability can improve our smart use of resources. With additional policies and regulations, we will be able to make sure that each individual adheres to the guidance provided by the society/government. We need to fully understand that we are not promoting this for ourselves; instead, we need to ensure that living and non-living things on Earth can thrive not just today but also in the future. We need to sustain what we have now for our future generations.
NutriHydro, a participant in the United Nations Global Compact, upholds its commitment to sustainable development by aligning its work with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include SDG 2: Zero Hunger, by supporting efficient, localized food production systems; SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, through responsible water use in agriculture and the promotion of safe farming practices; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, by offering science-based agricultural inputs and grower education that reduce waste and misuse;Â and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, through collaborative work with growers, institutions, and communities. NutriHydro integrates these principles into its operations to ensure that agricultural progress contributes to productivity and a sustainable and equitable future for all.
Jarvie, M.E. (2016, May 20). Brundtland Report. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brundtland-ReportÂ
sustainable. (2025). https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainabilityÂ
Author
Honey Joyce Daz
Honey Joyce Daz
NutriHydro is a manufacturer of plant nutrients based in the Philippines. They are known to grow the healthiest, heaviest, and largest lettuce in the country. NutriHydro products are available to purchase from the following e-commerce platforms.
Lazada: bit.ly/3asMYXN
Shopee: bit.ly/3nRJX6Z
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NutriHdyro Website: bit.ly/434MoY6
