The Four Pillars of Sustainability

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Most answers to the sustainability challenges of today are easily given; however, these resolutions often do not satisfy all of the major perspectives that have a final say regarding this topic. Generally, sustainability requires consideration of a total of four key aspects; (1) environmental, (2) social, (3) cultural, and (4) economic. With these four sustainability pillars in mind, only then can effective solutions be reached in relation to sustainability problems. The purpose of this paper is to review the relationship between these four pillars and the topic of sustainability.

The first fundamental and simultaneously the most well-known aspect of sustainability is the environmental pillar. This attitude recognises the call for improvement and preservation of the natural ecosystems that sustain all life on Earth. It contains the structure and function of biophysical systems and the interplay between them and humankind; the aspect calls for guardianship of our planet and its biosphere.

The second point of view touches on the social ideology of intergenerational equity and intra-generational equity which should come with the aim of a sustainable planet; in such a way that all current and future generations are able to live in an equal environment. It considers both psychological and physical well-being and strives for a union of communities established through a fair dispersion of natural resources.

Thirdly, in a world where there is no shortage of different cultures; differing world views exist in abundance. This third cultural aspect acknowledges the need to cherish and share beliefs and ethics that represent these diverse world views, and the political need for all individuals to share their views freely and to be included in the making of important decisions regarding the environment.

Lastly, the economic pillar is based on the interactions of people with nature, such as turning natural resources into personal possessions or services that satisfy their own needs. It emphasises that our global consumerism tendencies must stay within our world its global carrying capacity, while also maintaining or even improving people their quality of life.

This paper shows that it is the combination of these environmental, social, cultural and economic perspectives that gives us an overview of how complex an issue it is to bring solutions to the table that would satisfy all four of these aspects. However, the only way to regulate sustainability challenges is through using all four of these pillars to build a stable and achievable sustainable world. This is why it is of great importance to focus on building all of these pillars equally; for if one pillar falls short the entire solution becomes unstable.

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