Sustainability
Not long ago, we witnessed a verbal exchange at the Senate highlighting, among others, the concerns on the conversion of farmlands into subdivisions. Alleging irregularities in the construction of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) across the country, Sen. Tulfo stressed that FMRs become “cockpit-to-market, subdivision-to-market, or resort-to-market roads.” As Sen. Villar’s family is into residential development business, she was apparently displeased by these insinuations.
If we wish to go deeper into this, the consequences are clear. First, indiscriminately converting farmlands into non-agricultural use will certainly result to food insecurity. Secondly, if these are converted into factories, indiscriminate disposal of wastes will lead to the contamination of rivers and seas and will certainly affect the livelihood of our fisherfolks. Needless to say, it will also lead to food insecurity and environmental destruction.
So that, whether it was just a mere political stunt of the newbie senator, we do not know. The fact, however, remains that in whatever developments we may undertake, sustainability should be the concern that proponents must adequately address. It is useless if you gain in one but lose in another. The result is still zero, or worse, a negative if the disadvantages are way higher than the projects’ benefits.
Globally, one of those industries that recognized its negative effects was tourism. As early as 2008, the global tourism industry initiated a move to address this concern. With 280 representatives from all sectors of tourism from 20 countries, the Cape Town Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was held in South Africa. It was followed by another one in in Kerala, India in March, 2008. Then, the participants agreed that responsible tourism is a must. Among others, topping the list was to minimize the negative economic, environmental and social impacts of all tourism initiatives. Simply put, the issues are on the environment, social and governance (or ESG). Summed up, the keyword is sustainability.
Today, OREN, a company that was established in 2020 and operating in India and USA, is taking the initiative on the issue of sustainability. With the tagline “Sustainability Simplified,” its mission is “here to keep us all in check.” Their team does the digging to ensure all those “sustainable businesses” we see are in practice and are actually sustainable or moving towards a more sustainable future.
Principally, their team does the significant task of “keeping companies accountable by real-time analyzation of data.” Essentially, it “helps businesses reach their goals and stay literate on their data as it relates to sustainable efforts.” Its team digs in “to automatically collect, analyze, and report on ESG data in real-time.” A task which, until today, is done manually. A reality that makes it impossible to produce accurate results in real-time. In OREN, this activity is automated. Succinctly, it is “paving the way for accountable sustainability in modern day business.”
Indeed, it is good to know that a company took the initiative of facing the issue squarely. The issue (on sustainability) that is usually trivialized. Hopefully, the verbal exchange of Senators Tulfo and Villar bring about awareness in all of us. That, almost always, personal interests prevail over the common good. And that, this attitude must change.
Truth to tell, most of our politicians just pay lip service to these noble causes. So that, we call on all stakeholders who are truly committed to the goals and objectives of sustainability to report whatever undertakings they may have that have largely contributed to the realization of such lofty goals so the citizens may be aware of these and, consequently, reap the benefits. We also challenge those politicians who only pay lip service to the cause to set aside their personal interests and embrace sustainability initiatives that will benefit us all.
Simply put, all of us must realize that, in everything that we undertake, the only way to be sustainable is to be responsible.