The term "sustainable practices" does sound quite modern, but the concept of sustainability has been there since the beginning of human civilization. We have used methods from a long time ago to respect nature and avoid harming it, even though we did not fully recognize the positive changes we were creating. But what has been the journey of sustainable practices? Let's have a look at it in detail.
Ancient Sustainable Practices
Sustainability is definitely not a new term in the content of human history. Going back to ancient civilizations such as the Indus Valley, Egyptians, and Romans, agriculture is heavily dependent on seasonally based cycles, organic fertilizers, and crop rotation. For instance, the Hopi people practiced dry farming in North America. In this system, only rainwater was used while conserving what little water was present. Similarly, India's panchayat system promoted the concept of communal resources such as water and grazing lands.
Living in harmony with nature was both an imperative and a cultural belief. At any rate, as far back as the Vedic literature, one can refer to "Prakriti" (nature) as a source of life that must not be harmed but nurtured. The early sustainability practices were thus easy to conceive, though the systems in use today are much more complex.
Industrial Revolution and Environmental Degradation
The historical change happened during the Industrial Revolution. Within less than a century of industrialization, full-scale development of industries, colossal consumption of fossil fuels, and bulk tree cutting for urbanization broke the boundaries of nature. This was a situation when the people realized in the late 19th century that certain activities of unregulated industrialization are harmful to the environment. In fact, George Perkins Marsh, an American diplomat and environmental scientist, warned against deforestation in his 1864 publication "Man and Nature," which is considered one of the early works of literature on human impact on the environment.
The major environmental concerns resulting from rapid industrialization were also increasingly evident in the mid-20th century. Concerned areas included air pollution, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity, among others. Such were the direct results that led to the emergence of the Environmental Movement in the 1960s and 70s where activists and governments started addressing the significance of conservation.
Rise of Modern Sustainable Practices
The term "sustainable development" first appeared in the Brundtland Report of 1987; the authors defined it as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Since then, sustainability has evolved from a niche concern to a global priority.
The Paris Agreement of 2015 was a landmark moment in current sustainability history, wherein the nations agreed to limit global warming to an increase beyond 2 degrees Celsius. There has been an increasingly growing use of renewable sources of energy, and as of today, countries like India top in the usage of solar energy, which is a symbol of a shift towards sustainable energy use.
Today and Beyond
Of course, things have become much more important about sustainability in today's world as a result of the various issues affecting us in matters related to climate change, plastic pollution, and food scarcity. A zero-waste lifestyle and ESG criteria by companies are just two examples of sustainable practices in our times—putting an end to fads. These practices have become a means through which we can ensure survival on our planet.
However, there is a way long yet to travel. The future of sustainability depends on how far we can continue innovating and implementing new technologies. And importantly, it requires every individual to embrace sustainable living in daily life.
Conclusion
Sustainability has come a long way from ancient roots. The challenges have now become more radical; still, together, we can learn more and grow further to create a prosperous future while being friendly to the environment. Remember, it is not about the big changes, but those small practices every day can make a great impact.