Is sustainability sustainable?

Sustainability has long been hailed as the answer to the world's most pressing environmental and social issues. While it undoubtedly offers a valuable starting point and remains a necessary part of a total solution, the concept of sustainability needs to be revised, as it must go further to address the harm caused by destructive systems. According to a report by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades.

These alarming statistics highlight that while sustainability continues to dominate the national and global discourse, we must shift our focus towards regenerative innovation, striking a balance between preserving what we have and actively repairing existing damage.

The Difference Between Sustainable and Regenerative Solutions

At its core, sustainability is a "do no further harm" approach that focuses on minimizing our negative impact on the environment and society. While this is undeniably important, it fails to address the reality of preexisting harm inflicted on our planet and its inhabitants. Just as stopping the bleeding after a car accident is crucial, it is not enough to heal the underlying injuries that could worsen if not properly treated.

Regenerative solutions, on the other hand, focus on repairing and restoring systems that have been damaged or degraded. This approach acknowledges the harm that has already occurred and seeks to actively reverse it, promoting healing and growth for both people and the environment.

The Essential Problem with Sustainable Approaches

By focusing solely on minimizing future harm, sustainability can lead to a dangerous sense of complacency and false security.

While we may not be contributing to further destruction, the existing damage continues to erode our systems and threaten our well-being. It is like a boat filling with water – the sustainable approach would be not adding more water to the boat, but this does nothing to address the existing water. Regenerative solutions aim to stop adding water and remove the current water, ultimately creating a safer environment.

Examples of Sustainable Solutions

• Solar panels: Generating electricity through solar panels reduces reliance on fossil fuels, but it does not actively repair the damage caused by past emissions or counteract the environmental degradation caused by mining for the materials needed to produce the panels. 

• Recycling: Recycling reduces waste and conserves resources, but it does not address the fact that many products are still produced in a way that causes significant harm to the environment and depletes natural resources. The United Nations reports that only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled, with the rest accumulating in landfills, oceans, and ecosystems.

Examples of Regenerative Solutions

• Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems reduces the need for harmful pesticides and fertilizers, improves soil health, sequesters carbon, and supports biodiversity. Research by the World Agroforestry Centre found that agroforestry systems can increase agricultural productivity by up to 40% while reducing carbon emissions and supporting biodiversity.

• Green infrastructure: Implementing green infrastructure, such as green roofs and permeable pavement, can help to mitigate urban heat island effects, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that green roofs can reduce energy consumption for cooling by 50-90%. In comparison, permeable pavement can infiltrate up to 80% of annual rainfall, reducing the burden on stormwater systems and preventing pollution from entering waterways.

Steps to Shift Towards Regenerative Solutions

• Encourage innovation: Support research and development in regenerative technologies and practices. The World Economic Forum and Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimate that transitioning to a regenerative, circular economy could generate $4.5 trillion in new economic output by 2030.
• Change the narrative: Shift public discourse and policy discussions from sustainability to regenerative solutions. Governments and organizations must prioritize regenerative initiatives, setting ambitious targets for climate neutrality and resource management, and embrace strategies beyond mere sustainability to create a truly restorative and thriving future.
• Support regenerative businesses: Choose to invest in and purchase products from companies prioritizing regenerative practices. The B Corp movement, representing over 3,500 certified businesses across 150 industries, is an example of companies committed to balancing profit with purpose, including regenerative practices. Other organizations and emerging initiatives are stepping up to elevate businesses prioritizing purpose over profit, including the National Institute for Social Impact (NI4SI) and BBB4Good.
• Educate: Teach the next generation about the importance of regenerative solutions and equip them with the tools and knowledge to make a difference. Incorporate regenerative principles into school curricula, and encourage universities to develop programs focusing on regenerative practices and technologies.

Conclusion

So, is sustainability sustainable? While it may provide a foundation for minimizing our impact on the planet, relying solely on sustainability will not heal the existing damage to our ecosystems and communities. We must recognize the prior inflicted harm and take responsibility for repairing that damage through regenerative solutions.

So let us move beyond the limited scope of sustainability. By actively working towards regenerative solutions for our planet and its inhabitants, we can begin to heal our world and create a genuinely sustainable and thriving future.

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