Still Wondering Why to Invest in Sustainability?

Have you ever noticed that people who promote sustainability are optimistic?  

Perhaps it’s because we know that the true benefits of sustainability go beyond going green, they also make economic sense. Speak to a skeptic, they might tell you it costs too much.

Either way you look at it, environmental initiatives across the globe may cost you today, but tomorrow’s payoff is well worth the investment.

We’ve reached Sustainable Development (SDGs) Goal 9 in a series of blogs that I’ve been writing to break down the targets, and share my insight.

Steps to Sustainable Development

Going through each topic has been a great exercise for me, and I hope it’s been beneficial for you as well. Together we are taking a closer look at what it really takes to make sustainability stick.

One by one, I have been exploring the SDGs seeing clearly how connected everything is.  How a decision made over here, has an impact over there.  This not only allows us to work towards balancing our actions, it also allows us to find leverage points.

What is the ripple effect of my action?

If I put a dollar over here – how will it grow?

In a time when tangible is easiest to assess, by focusing only on what one can see and touch we might be missing the mark.

Two of my favorite things to do are reading and writing.  As these words leave my fingertips, I experience an overwhelming sense of gratitude.  Gone are the days where I take such things for granted.  What a blessing to be able to read and write.  Furthermore, what a blessing to be able to integrate critical analysis into that mix.

What does this all mean, and how does it relate to Goal 9?

“Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”

Each time I sit down to write a blog about the goals, I review the targets.  I find one that sticks out, and I write about it. This time around it is target 9.5

“Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending.”

In order to foster innovation that will lead to sustainable industrialization which promotes the building of resilient infrastructure, we need to do our research!

And while I find it enjoyable to sit down and read a book rather than watch television or go to the movies, it doesn’t mean that I can’t integrate it into my work.

If we as a collective are going to reach these goals, we need to shift the way we run businesses and fund non-profit organizations.  Putting more emphasis and value on investing in intellectual capital can and will make for a brighter future.

Just think, if Nikola Tesla didn’t spend endless hours researching information – developing it into theory and practice – we may have never been able to harness Niagara Falls, and its free energy.

I’d love to hear what you think about this topic & learn about initiatives in your community.  Please feel free to comment below or on Twitter.