Sustainable Business and a Sustainable Society - Essay Example

THE ONLY VIABLE FUTURE FOR BUSINESS IS TO BECOME A SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS IN A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY by Introduction In my critical discussion, I am in agreement with the statement above because of a variety of factors, issues and perspectives both past and current in historical terms. Through the paper, I will critically discuss the statement, supporting my agreement through different perspectives, concerning the implications to be encountered. As Stahel (2007) shows, this will necessitate a shift in organizational culture and operations, based on the need of enhanced sustainability for both business and social contexts. The likelihood of various organizations successfully adapting to this change is contested with both sides of the coin being influential (Stahel, 2007:65). This is to say that on the one hand, pundits are of the view that such change is achievable, informed by the dynamic nature of society. As society became influenced by globalization, differing models, theories and perspectives emerged. This was on the best way of conducting business in a global arena (Stahel, 2007:68). Some were to be influential at a given period in history, to later on subside and become replaced by more accurate or advanced proposals. A few factors however, have been consistent variables in such aspects i.e. time, space, the environment and utility/ exploitation of resources. Other factors were thereafter, built around this foundation, gaining influence as humanity progressed (Stahel, 2007:70). Human institutions such as religion, governance, racial/ethnic relations, science and technology, amongst others, further enabled Man to live a more progressive life. With time, identity became core to human survival, necessitating alliances and governance measures. Kingdoms, empires and nation-states emerged, as the ultimate institution of human identity and relation within a given region. The exploitation of resources and essentially so, basic human survival became national concern, necessitating further measures and policy implementation (Anderson, 2006:494). For business to succeed, varying contexts ought to be present; an optimal environment that balances both the exploitative end, with socio-ecological rejuvenation. Throughout civilizations, to the contemporary nationalist arena, trade and commerce has been influenced significantly. This is informed by the fact that business contexts transcend exiting boundaries and environmental surroundings (Anderson, 2006:497). However, for business to operate optimally, natural resource utility is essential, and it is on this context that many issues emerge. The need for resource utility is unquestionable, but it is the manner in which human exploitation takes place, which brings about valid concerns. Environmental degradation, in addition to the global effects from such exploitation, necessitates the need of greater viability (Anderson, 2006:505). Environmental Sustainability: Resource Exploitation This is in not only global and national-levels, but also regional, local/communal and individual contexts. According to Danilov et al (2009), viability is defined as the capacity to live, grow and develop optimally in a given environment. This is through utility of both practical and useful avenues of co-existence and human development; which project a win-win situational context for all parties involved. In business contexts, this essentially translates to sustainability that pertains to less wasteful human activities, augmented by continuous sustainable exploitation of resources and the environment (Danilov, et al. 2009:69). A sustainable society aptly is described, as a community where progress is found, but without catastrophic setbacks expected in the near future. This definition makes cognizance of the fact that human beings may not even have a consensus on what entails a perfect/ sustainable society, let alone having the capacity to build one. During the past, by either accident or design, the earth as a planet, was sustainable concerning various eco-systems found (Danilov, et al. 2009:72). This was not only on the micro-level, but also in the grander scheme of things. First is the fact that earth, as well as the Sun, as its energy source, were both stable. The second is the fact that the law of nature (or Mother Nature as is commonly referred) had been able to balance the systems present with optimal settings in consideration (Danilov, et al. 2009:74). Thus, various individual species, which threatened such balance due to either destructive living habits or overpopulation, quickly became suppressed as a result of resource starvation. This necessary sacrifice of some, for the betterment of all, essentially resulted in a colorful and varied world, even before the advent of human habitation. Thus from the above, one is able to note that nature was never perfect, but it was sustainable. Human beings, armed with the capacity of thinking, discovered various means of utilizing different resources that were available. To be noted is that a majority of these had taken hundreds, thousands or possibly, millions of years, to become established (Marton-Lefèvre, 2014). Ecosystems such as forests took several hundred years, or even more for their full development. However, Man’s unsustainable thirst for more, resulted in early destructive measures, which ultimately contribute to current affairs in the global arena. Thus, in order to sustain humanity’s increasing demands, increased resource utility was not only conducted on the top-side (surface) of the earth, but Man also discovered ways of exploiting underground mineral resources (Penfield, 2008:334). This was thus, the advent of Man’s destructive and unsustainable way of environment use and resource exploitation. Through many millennia, earth has been able to build up large reserves of resources. The current society relies on these heavily, for its operations and development (Penfield, 2008:337). The unfortunate aspect has been the fact that humanity, in the last 2 centuries, has not only utilized massive amounts of resources, but also destroyed the balance requisite for sustainability. Earth as a result, cannot be able to generate new resources in a timely manner, especially as a result of continued pollution, as well as the altering of climate and climatic conditions. Pundits caution on the continued rate of resource exploitation and environmental degradation, warning of dire consequences when nature is unable to sustain itself (Penfield, 2008:340). Not only is this issue of fundamental importance, but also the fact that over-exploitation of resources may lead to their depletion, resulting in catastrophic setbacks for human society and its development. This is informed by the fact that a society that survives on such uptake of huge resources, is in the long run, not sustainable. If this is allowed in the end, future generations may have to pay a very high price. This is because they will not be able to live in a sustainable world, where the requisite balance is present (Atkinson, Dietz & Neumayer, 2009:34). This state of affairs, requires aggressive measures essential in moving away from the exhaustible, non-renewable resources, and focus more of sustainable environmental use. Sustainable Business, Society and the Environment Sustainable business, also referred to as green business, refers to an enterprise that is focused on viable business venture options, which have negative impacts on not only the local, but also global environment (Atkinson, Dietz & Neumayer, 2009:37). This is concerning the community present, the larger society and the economy. These are organizational entities, though geared towards economic growth and profit making, are also progressive concerning environmental sustainability. This is in addition to the observance, respect and regard of human rights issues. For sustainability to be achieved, such a business entity, ought to achieve a 4-tier criterion. First is the need to incorporate requisite principles of sustainability, in its decision-making process (Atkinson, Dietz & Neumayer, 2009:45). Secondly, Edward and McKibben (2010) portray the essence that it produces and/ or supplies products and services, which are environmentally friendly, essentially those, which replace current demand for non-green services and/ or products. The third is the fact that such a business entity, out to be committed to environmental sustainability, more than the prevailing traditional forms of competition. Fourthly, is that there is need for continued enduring commitment, towards enhancing environmental principles, within business operations, growth and development (Edwards & McKibben, 2010:57). In essence, the above form of business viability is rooted in environmental sustainability, which affects various fields such as legislation, society and the business sector. In terms of business, I hold a split opinion based on the aforementioned fact of the need for sustainable environmental utility and resource exploitation, as well as the prevailing nature of human development and sustenance (Edwards & McKibben, 2010:64). As a two-fold answer, I am ultimately inclined towards sustainability the challenges, influences and effects notwithstanding. I provide this, educated by the fact that current human development, fundamentally founded, and hence influenced by the Industrial Revolution, thrives on the continued exploitation of natural resources; especially the non-renewable (Edwards & McKibben, 2010:67). Intricately so is the intertwined nature of such resource exploitation, with the existing industry, trade and commerce systems. The global economy for example, is fundamentally founded on, and influenced by oil. As a non-renewable, highly corrosive, and hence environmentally degrading resource, oil is essentially utilized in all major modes of human socialization and development. Trade and commerce, are hence influenced by the prevailing manner of resource exploitation; concerning raw material extraction and utility. In terms of current business models, sustainability has only recently become a point of focus, given the varying reactions experienced globally (Tueth, 2010:33). Initially, profit-making through reduced cost expenditure, to be augmented by increased en masse production, aimed at feeding global demand for goods and services, is what drove business ideals (Tueth, 2010:37). However, as time passed by, and the negative effects and influences of unsustainable environmental utility and exploitation became more vivid, there was clear need for change. This was as a result of the nature and effects, of a negatively affected global environment that had dire consequences, in terms of human survival and sustainability. Other factors also have and continue contributing to this dynamic shift, in terms of ideals, perspectives and sustainable living (Tueth, 2010:42). A case in point, as Hawken, Lovins and Hunter (1999) display would be the oil crisis of the 1970s/ 80s, which resulted in massive implications on a global scale. This was as a result of Man’s continued dependence on the natural resource as the driving force of industry. With the shortfall of oil production, the price went up substantially, resulting in various effects of both macro- and micro-economic implications. It is at this stage that legislative measures became more necessary, concerning not only a single nation’s outlook, but also rather global implications. It is from this that various economic forums were founded, resulting in different success rates, as well as failures (Hawken, Lovins & Hunter, 1999:92). A good example would be the successful signing, but gradual implementation of the Kyoto Protocol (to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change). As an international treaty, setting binding obligations on various industrialized nations, on the need for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; it serves as an important example of steps taken. This did affect the developed world, as they agreed on legally binding reductions/ limitations of emissions produced over a two-stage period. DAVOS, referring to the World Economic Forum Annual State Meeting, is another success, which has aimed at alleviating unsustainable economic growth and global development (Hawken, Lovins & Hunter, 1999:98). Under the World Economic Forum, there has been a look-back at Man’s past tragic exploitation of nature, affecting not only the environment present, but also all that inhabit it. This has necessitated the drive towards development, and subsequent implementation of the concept of good environmental stewardship. It is here that legislation, as well as the impacts on prevailing social attitudes, have been tested. This is because environmental stewardship and sustenance hold different meanings to different individuals. This is what makes implementation harder to achieve, given the different effects that are expected thereafter (Rogers, Jalal & Boyd, 2007:109). It is the presence of considerations, and especially geo-political and economic ones, which inform the various environmental stewardship decisions made both in the past, and currently. Unfortunately, when it comes down to the harsh political and economic realities, sustainable environmental stewardship becomes difficult to achieve. This may as such, explain the reasons why currently, the world is not yet fully inclined towards implementation (Rogers, Jalal & Boyd, 2007:109). A case in point would be the global demand and reliance on oil production. While the process of exploration, mining, production and use of oil is detrimental to the environment, in terms of pollution, the global industrial scale necessitates continued consumption. The above is informed by the essence of continued global demand, for not only oil, but also other mineral resources, which are vital in satisfying the ever-growing global consumerism. Personal lifestyle, on both the individual and national level hence, does influence such policy measures. This is in addition to economic impacts, in terms of employment and wealth creation, which would be affected if there were immediate reversal in utility of such mineral resources. Through focus on the circular economy model, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation continues being a driver of sustainable economic development (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2012). As a registered charity, it aims at inspiring a generational change, in terms of the need to re-think, re-design and build a more positive future. As Becker (2008) alludes, this is achievable through accelerated transition to regenerative economic sustenance. Through its educational mission, it works towards bringing together various complementary schools of thought. This is aimed at creating a coherent framework, where focus is targeted at three core areas. These include education; where inspiration is aimed at inspiring generational rethink of future sustainability, and thought leadership, where opportunities can be created for a revolution based on re-design (Becker, 2008:515). Above all is the critical need of business rejuvenation, aimed at catalyzing sustainable business innovation. Here, it emphasizes on the importance of enacting change that is relevant to real world contexts, in terms of implementation and future innovation. Such an economy, though industrial in nature, is intended and designed at being restorative in nature. Here, the aim is for materials to flow in two categories, i.e. as either technical or biological nutrients. Regarding the latter, this entails the end products being produced, being able to re-enter the biosphere safely; while the former pertains to such by-products being able to circulate, at greater volumes, without necessarily entering the essential biosphere (Becker, 2008:521). Conclusion For society to continue in the current way of development, portends to future crisis of a catastrophic nature. Unfortunately, the prevailing business models, affecting global geo-political and social contexts, heavily rely on the utility and exploitation of the environment. Adding to this is the generally destructive nature of current social consumerism, which further fuels the drive for resource exploitation and environmental degradation. It is thus ultimately true that - the only viable future for business is to become a sustainable business in a sustainable society. This is so as to protect not only current environmental contexts, but also future generations to come Reference List Anderson, D R 2006, The critical importance of sustainability risk management. Risk Management, 53(4): 475-512. Atkinson, G, Dietz, S & Neumayer, E 2009, Handbook of Sustainable Development. Edward Elgar Publishing. Becker, T 2008, The Business behind Green, Eliminating fear, uncertainty, and doubt. APICS magazine, 18(2): 512-525. Chen, S 2007, What is a Sustainable Society? 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