Casual Talk on Sustainability:
Don't Just Be Aware, Act on It

The world’s growing population increases consumption, leading to a steady decline in natural resources. With resources still available, people consume wastefully without the foresight of potential shortages.

Eating and using without restraint like this puts pressure on the necessity of using and consuming natural resources (including clean water and air) more appropriately and responsibly.

Importantly, the reduction in resources makes people rethink their production and consumption habits.

Natural resources and the environment are becoming increasingly vital, and most people today want to leave a “healthy and clean environment and natural resources” for the future generations.

From the past to the present, the situation regarding natural resources and the environment is inching closer to a “crisis” every moment.

From the book “Our Common Future” (1987) by Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former Prime Minister of Norway, which laid the foundation for the concept of “Sustainable Development,” to the world-shocking book and documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” (2013) about “Global Warming” presented by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, these works have urged all sectors, especially the industrial sector, to seriously review their roles and practices towards society and the planet.

Until today, all we see are the young Swedish activist “Greta Thunberg”, fiercely condemning with the unforgettable words, “How dare you?” on September 23, 2019, has shaken the world once again.

Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old girl, rose to speak passionately at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly’s Climate Action Summit.

With a voice filled with frustration and tears, the brilliant young girl addressed the failure of adults who only offer empty promises to future generations without addressing the ongoing issue of global warming affecting their own generation. At one point in her speech, she boldly stated,

“All you do is talk about money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!”

In an era of fast-paced information and social media, today’s global society can no longer ignore “sustainable development” as a critical human responsibility.

Leaders in various organizations must now focus on 2 key issues of sustainability: “a sustainable future” and “sustainable growth.”

  • A “sustainable future” for any organization lies in its ability to develop and innovate products that minimize environmental impact and promote a better quality of life for society, contributing to sustainable growth.
  • “Sustainable growth” for any organization is about prioritizing environmentally-conscious business practices, social care, and governance, all under the umbrella of sustainable development, fostering quality personnel to support growth.

Thus, conducting business in an environmentally friendly way and with social responsibility lays the foundation for “sustainability,” which can extend to building “strong and sustainable communities.”

Therefore, we must come together and take serious action today. Don’t just be aware, but act on it!

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