The situation of the environment is a global crisis that requires the intervention of all human beings. But, really, why should you adopt these habits? What great effects can it have on our society and planet? You have to differentiate between people and companies.
From a personal point of view, it affects us specially in the environment, economy and society. For example:
Waste of natural resources (miners, fuels, soils, waters, etc)
Pollution of the atmosphere for example: power plants electricity emit large amounts of greenhouse gases.
Water pollution: our daily activity causes them to be discharged from the sewer network of cities to natural water currents, thousands of liters of water that are contaminated with a huge variety of products harmful to health and the environment : soaps, oils and fats, dissolved organic matter, chemical products, etc.
Generation of huge amounts of waste: In our current lifestyle, where huge quantities of disposable products are used as well as packaging, generates a large amount of waste generated, with the consequent problem for its management.
Dependence on non-renewable resources (oil, coal, etc.) for the production of energy. Renewable energy sources must be implemented in the coming years.
- Desertification, i.e exploitation and degradation of the soil with activities such as intensive agriculture, uncontrolled urbanization, etc, causes the fertile soil to lose all or most of its production potential.
From a business point of view, with the global market as a focus, sustainability is necessary given that:
It is useful for the competitiveness and differentiation between business, because it permits to create a positive brand image and a greater role in the global market, between nations.
It is efficient in saving energy and materials, and also increases the value of services or goods delivered to the consumer.
It is, finally, necessary for the future from an economic point of view. The urgency of improving the environmental situation encourages society to resort to what is beneficial for the environment, and increasingly so. Consumers will increasingly demand business sustainability, positioning it as essential.
The companies that comply with the saving and their duty to the environment obtain in return popularity and admiration for the consumers, as it is appreciated in brands (Patagonia, Stella McCartney) and companies (Lego, BMW).
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What does a sustainable lifestyle mean?