Global Sustainability

It the concept of global sustainability is commonly linked with the "three E's", which are economic development, ecological development and social equity (or development). Each of these issues intersects over specific realms of engagement:

• Socialism. Although this term can have a pejorative connotation, particularly where it concerns the forced redistribution of wealth from the productive to the unproductive elements of a society, here the term implies the numerous mechanisms where economic development can leverage social welfare and vice-versa. For instance, economic development generate surpluses that can be invested in numerous infrastructures (roads, utilities) and new technologies that benefit the society as a whole. Inversely, a society where the acquisition and development of knowledge is promoted will incite conditions that further economic development.
• Conservation. Various practices aiming at a more efficient usage of resources, including regulatory and pricing mechanisms trying to promote a lower environmental footprint. It also include the protection of selected areas and species by setting land aside (e.g. National parks systems).
• Ecologism (or environmentalism). A broad-based approach trying to reconcile the environment and the society through regulations and social behavioral norms.

Sustainable development expands further the issue through a comprehensive approach that can be somewhat paradoxical. This leads to different paths in terms of if sustainable practices must be the outcome of state coercion (laws, rules and regulations) or let to market forces where entrepreneurs (from individuals to multinational corporations) pursue sustainable strategies as a rationale to increase efficiency and profits. While the regulatory approach appears attractive, government intervention commonly lead to the misallocation of resources, corruption, inequity and unintended consequences. On the other end, the private sector is often perceived as unable to effectively address environmental issues and prone to externalize its costs.