Haley Conroy - 1/19/22 - Sustainability & the Enviornment

 This week in class we explored a supplement to the big idea of sustainability. Certainly it is important to acknowledge that the environment is deeply influenced by the natural sciences of both biology and geology. It is also important to point out that the standards for environmental sustainability vary greatly, based on local economic, social and environmental conditions. The authors of Humans in the Landscape focus their book around two big ideas: environment and sustainability. The authors support this by acknowledging that, “sustainability holds that humans can and should make use of nature to meet their needs, but that we should do so only in ways that respect the needs of future generations” (Lee, Freudenburg, Howarth, p. 11). Dr. Redick enunciated this point that we need to be responsible for the environment and not just so humans can use it for a longer time, but so that all beings can flourish as they should. From researching sustainability, I have learned that the exponential population growth has led to increased farming, which leads to greater greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Additionally, industrial and technological growth means we need more power than ever. Yet our planet is reaching a breaking point. We as a society are beginning to see the consequences of global warming on ecosystems and communities. That’s why now more than ever businesses need to invest in environmentally sustainable and socially responsible practices, like using clean energy and paying living wages, to secure a livable future for all beings. 

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