Sustainabilty... Eh?

So what is sustainability? There are many different definitions, depending on whether you're an environmentalist, an economist, or a regular Joe working a real job. But this is the one I like the best: sustainability is simply the capacity to endure. No mention of ecosystems, recession, or climate change. That will all come later...

Rest easy friends. This blog is not going to be one environmentalist rant after the other. There are plenty of other people out there who can do that WAY better than me. You'll find them on Greenpeace boats throwing stones at whaling ships off the coast of Japan. I'd rather take a look at a simpler issue. How can we live our lives in a more sustainable way? How can we endure for longer?

We've all seen the leaflets from our local council, "10 Easy Ways to Be Sustainable." Well, I've got a news flash for you Barbara, few things about being truly sustainable are easy. It's a massive pain in the arse and we need to recognise that before we get started. Sure, the beginnings aren't too bad. Things like separating your recyclable waste products from the rest of your rubbish or bringing your own bags with you to the supermarket are great. Maybe even one or two of you have a compost heap in your garden. Excellent. Give yourself an extra pat on the back for that one. But to really help ourselves for the future we need to make a little bit more effort. How many of you have zero-energy houses? How many of you collect your rainwater and redirect it into your toilet cistern or use it to water your garden? I know, I know, baby steps. It is important to realise, however, that these things need to be a part of your not-so-distant future.

A few things are almost certainly going to happen within my or the next generation's lifetimes. Fossil fuels will become more scarce. Clean, drinkable water will become more expensive. The need for energy derived from renewable sources will become greater. Our ability to endure will be tested. I would suggest that being sustainable isn't necessarily about caring for the environment or trying to save money. I think it's more about equipping yourself with the skills and the means to survive in a world where energy and water have become less of a right and more of a luxury. I'm not saying it's necessarily going to be all doom and gloom, but I'd rather be better prepared for an uncertain future. Wouldn't you?