Sustainability is the ability to sustain or maintain a process or system.

The word sustainable comes from the Latin sustare and means to sustain, support, conserve and care.

The concept of sustainability addresses the way we should act in relation to nature. In addition, it can be applied from one community to the entire planet.

Sustainability is achieved through Sustainable Development, defined as:

"development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainable development aims to preserve the planet and meet human needs. This means that a sustainably exploited natural resource will last forever and can also be exploited for future generations.

Sustainability Tripod
The so-called sustainability tripod is based on three principles: social, environmental and economic. These three factors need to be integrated for sustainability to actually happen. Without them, sustainability cannot be sustained.

Social: It encompasses people and their living conditions, such as education, health, violence, leisure, among other aspects.
Environmental: Refers to the natural resources of the planet and how they are used by society, communities or companies.
Economic: Related to the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Economics must consider the social and environmental issue.

Sustainability Tripod
The tripod of sustainability: social, environmental and economic aspects need to work together

Learn more about Sustainable Development.

Types of Sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability encompasses the conservation and maintenance of the environment.

It is important to note that in order for environmental sustainability to be effective, people must be in harmony with the environment to achieve an improved quality of life.

The goal of environmental sustainability is that the interests of future generations are not compromised by meeting the needs of the current generation.

Also read about Environmental Impacts.

Social sustainability
Social sustainability suggests the equality of individuals based on the well-being of the population.

This requires the participation of the population in order to strengthen the proposals for social development, access to education, culture and health.