Sustainability refers to the capacity to maintain or support a process continuously over time. It involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability encompasses three main pillars: environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.
In environmental terms, sustainability focuses on conserving natural resources, reducing pollution, and promoting biodiversity to ensure that ecosystems can remain healthy and functional. Socially, it emphasizes fair treatment and opportunities for all individuals, fostering communities that are inclusive and just. Economically, sustainability encourages responsible consumption and production practices, ensuring that economic activities do not deplete resources or harm the environment.
Sustainability is often applied in various contexts, including agriculture, urban development, energy production, and corporate practices, aiming to create systems that are resilient and capable of enduring changes and challenges over time. The concept promotes a balance that seeks to create long-term environmental health, social well-being, and economic growth simultaneously.
Japan's forests cover 67% of its land, with 40% being man-made, neglected and threatening environmental stability, including water management difficulties. The expansive planting of cypress and cedar post-WWII aimed to…