In today's discourse on sustainability, the term permeates corporate strategies, university courses, and political speeches. However, amidst the information overload, the need for quality education is paramount to truly understand and implement sustainability effectively.
Redefining Sustainability
The United Nations Brundtland Commission's 1987 definition of sustainability emphasizes meeting present needs without compromising future generations. While this is crucial, the current global dialogue urges us to move beyond doing less harm and actively collaborate with the planet.
The Role of Regenerative Agriculture
Conventional agricultural practices, driven by increasing global food demands, often deplete natural resources and soil fertility. Organic farming addresses some issues but falls short on restoring deteriorated soils. Enter regenerative agriculture—a model that actively improves and regenerates the environment, collaborating with nature rather than against it.
What it Means to Have a Positive Impact
Beyond sustainability, the global focus should shift towards generating a positive impact with tangible results. Addressing the imbalance between resources and their unrestrained use requires more than sustainable initiatives—it demands proactive solutions with long-term viability.
From Waste Management to Product Design
Examining waste management illustrates the need for a paradigm shift. Instead of focusing solely on improving recycling techniques, the real solution lies in designing products for durability, shareability, and reusability. This approach prevents products from becoming waste in the first place, addressing the core issue of waste elimination.
Applying the Concept to the Wine Industry
In the wine and grape sector, winemaking generates significant organic residues. These biomaterials, derived from grape biomass, can be transformed into valuable biological nutrients through composting and anaerobic digestion. Wineries play a crucial role in the correct collection and transformation of these organic materials to restore the soil and minimize waste.
A Call to Action
As we navigate this new reality, our approach must go beyond reducing harm. We need to actively repair the damage already done by working collaboratively with nature. Sustainability alone is not enough; we must strive for positive impact, ensuring a harmonious relationship between human activities and the environment.
Author: Marta Juega, PhD.
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