Is the Term 'Sustainability' Being Overused and Abused?

It is true that the term 'sustainability' is being overused and, arguably, abused. The word's meaning has been diluted to the point where it doesn't mean anything. So, if you ask me whether the word really needs to be used as much as it is these days, my answer would be an emphatic yes! But I would also like to offer an explanation of why sustainability does need to be used more often, in particular by government and NGOs (non-governmental organizations).

Sustainability in its true form should be measurable

As an economic concept, sustainability is concerned with maximizing economic benefit while minimizing harm to human society, other living things, and future generations. (What's your definition of sustainability?) In its true form, therefore, it should be measurable. This can be done by looking at environmental footprints; examining carbon emissions, and energy flows. These are all a measure of our sustainability. It is therefore imperative that we must set metrics so that we know whether or not we are being sustainable in our economic endeavors. If we do not have clear goals then how will we ever achieve them? If there is no measurement then how will anyone know if they have achieved their goal? We need to change from talk about 'sustainability' to real action on sustainability. The time for talking about doing something about climate change is over. We need real action now!

If you buy organic or fair trade products but don't recycle – are you wasting your money?

According to recent estimates, global plastic production is set to increase from 320 million tons in 2013 to over 580 million tons by 2020. We're no longer dealing with an issue of responsible consumerism; we are now facing a disaster waiting to happen that will affect our planet for millennia. A study published in Science Advances found that, if plastic production continues at its current pace, there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Clearly, we need more than a few environmentally-minded consumers to implement changes on a mass scale if we are going to move towards sustainability. There needs to be drastic change on all levels – from local municipalities and corporations stepping up their game to us as consumers taking the initiative and bettering ourselves as human beings overall.

If you buy local but also buy cheap products, are you also wasting your money?

A system is only as sustainable as its supply chain. That means you can only buy local if you're willing to spend more for better quality food, higher quality clothes, and so on. Buying cheap comes at a cost: Your money directly contributes to exploiting people and the planet in distant places - social dumping it's called in Europe. If you want to live sustainably, then buying high-quality products becomes an ethical imperative. We can change corporate behavior towards long-term sustainability goals by focusing on healthy business relationships with producers of things we need. We should encourage businesses that take extra steps toward sustainability by rewarding them through our spending choices.

If you waste energy at home – are you still harming the environment?

Every time you switch on an incandescent light bulb, you waste energy. You're also hurting your wallet: That same bulb will cost almost $1.50 per year to operate in electricity costs alone. By switching to a CFL or LED light, it can pay for itself in about 2 years; LEDs are even more efficient and last for decades before burning out. Installing a smart thermostat is another great way to save on energy costs at home – using an automated programmable thermostat can cut your heating and cooling bills by as much as 15 percent every month.

Fashion brands and greenwashing

This is a tricky one to navigate; it's hard to promote green products without coming off as self-righteous. However, there are brands that have succeeded in their sustainability efforts. Patagonia and Eileen Fisher create clothing out of eco-friendly materials, including recycled plastic bottles—this means clothing that's both stylish and good for you! These clothes will last longer than your average T-shirt. So if you want to be sustainable while being trendy, look into real, sustainable brands or buy secondhand, not fall into the trap of fast fashion collections promoted as green.

These topics and more are explored in detail in my upcoming guide: Buy More of What Matters:. Why It's Time to Stop 'Using' People, published soon.

Vera

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