Environmental sustainability: principles, practices, and applications

Environmental Sustainability

At this point in time, there is a tremendous difference in European and American approaches to environmental sustainability, with the result being that the U.S. is falling behind Europe in its ability to foster and maintain sustainable development practices. This has a negative impact on American progress, as encouraging consumptive development places the U.S. In a less competitive position than other developed nations, while saddling it with some of the drawbacks of doing business in developing nations. Sustainable development means "meeting the needs of present generations without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their own needs- in other words, a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come" (European Commission, 2012). Sustainable development can be influenced by official policies, so that government and businesses play important roles in helping influence sustainable development, and this official influence seems to be part of why Europe is having more success at implementing sustainable development policies than the United States.

Sustainable development policies require a different approach to business. Rather than placing profit at the top of the priority list, sustainable development means that "economic progress must not compromise the key assets of humanity: the quality of the environment and landscapes, human rights and social equity, cultural diversity and democracy" (Council of Europe, 2012). This requires a cultural change where the policies of conservation are given priority over the policies of profit. One reason that Europe may be better suited for this societal-level change is the different structure of government in Europe when compared to the United States. Many European Union member nations have a much higher degree of socialist practices and policies, so that thinking about the collective good is already part of their mindset. Furthermore, American culture is very resistant to the type of oversight and top-down planning that characterizes the best practices in sustainable development (European Sustainable Development Network, 2012).

Expanding that type of collective thought to include environmental concerns and issues was a natural next-step for many European countries. The commitment to environment protection "recognises that in the long-term, economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection must go hand in hand" (Commission of the European Communities, 2001). In other words, they can understand that the depletion of resources for short-term gain can create serious long-term consequences that will not be offset by any positives from the short-term gain. This idea is one that has yet to resound with the American consumer and most American businesspeople. One reason for this may be the relative youth of America; it may be difficult to envision long-term consequences when the vast majority of American land remains wilderness and even dramatic environmental disasters have not yet been shown to have long-term consequences; while Europeans with their lengthy history may have a better innate understanding of long-term consequences.