Q 2 Define the concept of sustainability.

Explain how this concept is supportive to the objectives

of Environmental Management.

Sustainability is the ability to continue a defined behavior indefinitely.

A more complete definition of sustainability is thus environmental, economic, and social

sustainability. This forms the goal of The Three Pillars of Sustainability.The three pillars of
sustainability are a powerful tool for defining the complete sustainability problem. This consists
of at least the economic, social, and environmental pillars. If any one pillar is weak then the
system as a whole is unsustainable. Two popular ways to visualize the three pillars are shown.

Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain rates of renewable resource harvest,

pollution creation, and non-renewable resource depletion that can be continued indefinitely.

Economic sustainability is the ability to support a defined level of economic production

indefinitely.

Social sustainability is the ability of a social system, such as a country, to function at a defined
level of social well being indefinitely.

Environmental management seeks to improve environmental stewardship by integrating

ecology, policy making, planning and social development, and whatever else is
needed. Its goals include:

Objectives How sustainability concept is supportive to

the related objective
● sustaining and, if possible, improving
existing resources;
● the prevention and resolution of
environmental problems;

● establishing limits;

● founding and nurturing institutions that

effectively support environmental research,
monitoring and management;

● warning of threats and identifying

opportunities;

● where possible improving ‘quality of life’;

● identifying new technology or policies that

are useful.