Sustainability; the ability to last, to continue, to endure. In the context of Our Smallholding, sustainability means, growing and rearing without interfering with nature's natural balance, rather sustainable activities support and enrich the environment, flora & fauna and recognises the interconnectedness of all aspects of our environment and our society.

Misuse

This word is regularly used nowadays as a marketing gimmick, think of any media advertising; there is packaging made from sustainably managed woodlands, sustainable energy, sustainable buildings, sustainable communities, you name it - it's available.  They all have one thing in common, these advertising campaigns are SELLING something.

Investing

True sustainability is not about selling and buying, it's about investments: investing time and energy in systems and practices that will not become depleted as they are used but on the contrary will multiply.

Doubtful; have you ever thought of how the oceans or the early forests and woodlands began to support life, how they became populated with every  known species, including homo sapiens - ourselves.

Returns

Take a gift of seed from a gardener - invest time and energy to grow it.  Enjoy the returns of that investment - the fruits, or vegetables, or flowers.  Save some seed for planting in the next season and some to pass on or swap with A. N. Other.  Expand; invest more time, more energy, develop more systems, take an holistic approach, recognise and appreciate connectedness, the returns will be much greater, your patch of earth will become enriched by your investments and will reward exponentially.

From a little pinch of seed, there will be... increased output as it grows, insects will be attracted by the growing plant, the soil will benefit from its roots, soil creatures will gain, and those that predate on the first inhabitants will benefit and so on and so on...  within the first season there will be the beginnings of biodiversity.

Sustainability

This is TRUE sustainability.  There is now abundance.  Exchange or barter is the next system for investment.  Exchange time, skills, surplus produce...

In Conclusion

Why is this not working, why is it not happening everywhere - because there is no money in it for BIG BUSINESS, no increase in profit margins for shareholders and intelligent minds are manipulated by advertising and propaganda!

I urge everyone to take some seeds and begin an investment in yourself, your place, your future and your childrens' futures - truly sustainable futures.