Ecology Vs Sustainability

Nowadays, more and more people are talking about sustainability, environmentally friendly products and actions to take care of nature. Many terms are bandied about when it comes to this subject, such as ecology and sustainability. Do the terms have any difference? What do they really mean?

The first step to learning more about how to help the environment and how each of us can do our part is to start by understanding the concepts and their differences. The sustainability industry and the subject itself are getting bigger all the time, so there’s nothing better than understanding the terms and what they mean.

Ecology is the science responsible for studying the interactions that occur between organisms and their environment, taking into account the complex systems that influence all life on the Earth in which we live.

Ecology is made up of several areas that cover different topics, focusing on the relationship between humans and the environment. Within ecology, one of the studies is sustainability.

In practical terms, sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without affecting future generations. Sustainability is about considering the physical-biological basis in development strategies, i.e. not going beyond the environment’s capacity to absorb and dilute all pollutants.

Within sustainability, we look at the utilization rates for all renewable resources and the depletion of non-renewable resources.

Sustainability implies changes in consumption patterns with the aim of protecting genetic resources and conserving the biological biodiversity of our planet.

In short, the relationship between ecology and sustainability.

As already mentioned, the study of sustainability is part of ecology. The study of sustainability is important so that we can define whether a certain action is sustainable or not, and this is only possible by understanding the term and how it works. With this study it is possible to understand how sustainability influences the natural environment.

By studying sustainability it is possible to think about and approach techniques and materials that can be used in products and actions to protect the earth, plants, water and life in general. It becomes possible to develop sustainable alternatives that do not pose risks to the lives of several generations and that can be used by everyone. In order to promote a more sustainable society, it is necessary to promote knowledge of ecology and all its areas, so that more people are aware of its benefits and how such measures can contribute to life on our planet.

Ecological, green and sustainable products: are they all the same?

This is a question that raises some doubts. Markets and establishments are increasingly full of products that promise not to harm the environment and to be sustainable, but you have to be careful not to be fooled and to make the right choice, one that really benefits the environment. The most commonly used terms are ecological products, sustainable products, green products, among others. However, it’s important to know what each one means and whether it really doesn’t do any harm to the planet.

A product that is considered ecological is one that is concerned with maintaining nature’s biodiversity. These products do not tend to cause major changes to the balance of the ecosystem.

Recyclable materials, products that don’t contain animal skin, biodegradable plastics and biological insecticides are just some examples of ecological products. Ecological is any product that does not harm the environment, fauna and flora, and the ecosystem in general.

Companies that develop ecological products focus on supporting environmental protection causes.

A green product, or more specifically, one with a green label, simply means that the company in question cares about the environment and has measures in place to reduce impacts on the environment as a whole. These are companies that, in general, have measures in place to reduce water waste in their processes and also in their resources. In short, they are companies that care about the environment and their customers’ health.

Sustainable products, on the other hand, are those that meet all the “green” requirements and also strive to deliver quality products to the consumer, thus respecting the social, environmental and labor pillars. It encompasses various sectors and not just those related to the environment, unlike ecological products.

It must offer an entire production chain. Basically, a product considered sustainable promotes the development of the local economy, with the production of ecological products, generating savings and employment contracts for local people.

Sustainable products are products that receive a lot of investment in durability, resistance and superior quality. It’s a product in which the company thinks about its entire cycle, taking into account social and environmental legislation.

Products that come from renewable sources, are made with low energy and water consumption, reduce or eliminate the use of plastic, are made with good waste management, and whose manufacture does not require gas emissions or at least avoids them, are some of the examples that involve the social and environmental pillars.

That said, the main difference between an ecological product and a sustainable product is that the ecological product will have the preservation of the environment as its main pillar, and the sustainable product values the reduction of environmental impact and praises the social and economic development of a particular region or city.

Ecology and sustainability almost always go hand in hand and are extremely important for our society. New actions and initiatives that encompass both are emerging, but it’s important that the population gets more involved and takes an interest in helping the environment. After all, it’s for everyone and it’s up to us to ensure that future generations can also enjoy all the natural resources it provides.