Why sustainability?

During the heat wave this summer many people became aware of global warming, even those who usually defer environmental responsibility to the government or the UN. We have to act responsibly to prevent the situation from becoming worse. Each one of us should act in a sustainable way.

The concept of sustainability has been used for the first time in history in connection with forestry. At the beginning of the 18th century Hans Carl von Carlowitz mentioned the term for the first time in a book. He was looking for a method of cultivating and using wood in such a way as to ensure a steady, continuous supply. The concept of sustainable use has likely been in existence for a lot longer, because most indigenous peoples close to nature use their natural resources in a sustainable fashion. On the one hand, this might happen because these people do not have the same possibilities as industrialized nations. On the other hand, there are myths and rituals that show a certain awareness of the ecological relationship with nature among peoples close to nature. It is believed, for example, that the indigenous Americans, after they hunted a number of animal species to extinction, indeed recognized that they had caused a problem and developed the well-known Indian animal myths.

Since then, the concept has been expanded to other ecological systems, and includes ecological, economic and social sustainability now. Although many policies and objectives have been laid down by the UN, it is still in the hands of every individual to act ecologically and sustainably. We often get the feeling that a single action does not matter, but you should always keep in mind that every single sustainable action counts because it all adds up.

The success of these efforts will be felt by future generations. Let’s give our children a clean environment and many sustainable systems, habits and ideas!