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Sustainability

The term sustainability refers to meeting our needs
without exploiting the environment or depleting
resources, ensuring that future generations can also meet

their needs. For example, using cotton carry bags instead
of plastic is a habit of sustainability.

Natural Resources
Natural resources are independent materials such as air, water, soil, plants, animals, and

minerals that humans cannot modify. For example, using solar energy instead of coal supports
sustainable living, as coal is non-renewable and pollutes the air, while solar energy is renewable
and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Let's understand the concept of using resources responsibly with the help of a scenario.
Imagine that you want to use the internet to watch your favourite

videos or do your homework online. To do this, you need electricity
to power your computer or phone. When you go to switch on the
device, you realize the power is off because the electricity bill has not
been paid. Your elder brother says the bill got very high last month

because he left many lights and fans running all day. He further adds
that if he had known you would need electricity later, he would have
used it more carefully.

The idea of preserving resources for future generations is important
because our Earth has limited supplies. The land, air, water, and
energy that support us are not endless. If we waste these resources

or cause pollution, people in the future might not have enough to
fulfill their needs.
Sustainability aims to address this issue. It encourages everyone to

use resources carefully, share them fairly, and avoid unnecessary
waste.

When we talk about society, we mean the people living around us. For sustainability to truly
work, everyone in our society must practise responsible use of resources.
Now, imagine if some people do not act responsibly:

• Can we still achieve complete sustainability?
• No, it would not be possible.

Therefore, we must consider sustainability as a collective effort involving the whole society.

Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals 57