What really is "Sustainability"?

Sustainable, Sustainability, Green?

For some time now momentum has been growing around the value and necessity of sustainability. It is now a term used to describe many aspects of our lives, from how we buy our food to how we invest. At FoodCLUB, we focus on sustainability in terms of food and ensuring that we can continue to feed ourselves without causing harm to the planet. But what does sustainability actually mean? Let's take a closer look.

What “Sustainability” is not

Firstly, let's clear up what sustainability is not. Some people may think that "sustainability" and "green" have the same meaning, but this is not entirely accurate. It's like how a green crayon is just one part of a bigger box of crayons. While being eco-friendly is certainly part of sustainability, it is not the only aspect. It also involves ensuring that people can lead good lives and that the economy remains healthy. Many people may even resent the idea of sustainability for this reason as it is often closely tied with environmental groups such as Just Stop Oil or Extinction Rebellion when in reality we can all make small changes to our lives and actions that add up to big change.

Then what is it?

Sustainability is comprised of three essential and interdependent areas: the environment, the economy, and society. These are commonly referred to as the "three pillars" of sustainability. Each pillar is like a leg of a stool - if one is weak, the whole thing falls over.

The environmental pillar is the foundation of sustainability, and it focuses on preserving the planet's natural resources and biodiversity. This pillar emphasizes the importance of reducing carbon emissions, protecting water sources, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable land use practices.

The social pillar is equally important, and it aims to ensure that all individuals have access to basic resources, such as education, healthcare, and housing. This pillar addresses issues such as poverty, inequality, and social justice, and it recognizes that a healthy society is critical to achieving sustainability.

The economic pillar is the final component of sustainability, and it's about creating sustainable economic growth and promoting the development of businesses. This pillar emphasizes the importance of responsible consumption and production, reducing waste, and promoting sustainable business practices.

It's important to strike a balance between the three pillars of sustainability to achieve a sustainable future. For instance, the tension between cheap and nutritious food remains a top concern for many households around the country, especially during a cost-of-living crisis and the steep rise in food prices of 57% this year. To achieve sustainability, we must ensure that all three pillars are strong and healthy, as they are the foundation of a sustainable future.

Source: Purvis, 2018

Culture Focus

While not neatly fitting into the realm of Sustainability, The Sustainable Bite! Will also be used as a platform to celebrate and learn about cultures from around the world and the beauty of exposing oneself to novel cuisines. Food, in its most general and simple sense, is a staple of countries and cultures globally and thus provides a beautiful, natural way to explore friends’ cultures. On the FoodCLUB app, we will include special cultural celebrations during certain events and for The Sustainable Bite! to gain a first-hand insight into the unique cultures and cuisines from across the world, and maybe some top tips too!

Upcoming guests

As the realm of sustainability evolves and continues to garner attention, more people and companies are increasingly concerned with Sustainability related mattes which provides an exciting opportunity for world-class guests on this platform. We will delve into the minds of visionary entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and changemakers making waves in the sustainable food realm. Don’t miss our first guest speaker Rebecca Ghim, discussing the urgent need to tackle food waste in the UK. As Director of The Ferm, a sustainable kimchi company and Innovate UK’s Young Innovator Award 2023, Rebecca’s passion for sustainability promotion will hopefully inspire a re-think of how much food we throw in the bin.

Join the Bite!

Are you excited to take a bite into a greener food future? We value your input more than anything and encourage you to comment, tweet or email us. Share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions on the topics we cover. We want to foster a vibrant community where we can learn from one another and collectively drive meaningful change in the industry.

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Thank you for joining us on this journey. Get ready for insightful articles, inspiring interviews, and a whole lot of food for thought!

Yours Kindly,

Jack Feather

Head of Sustainability at FoodCLUB