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Sustainability and economics: Can they coexist harmoniously?

Helen
2 min readAug 14, 2024

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Sustainability and economics have often been viewed as conflicting priorities. While economics is focused on growth and profit, sustainability is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, in recent years, there has been a growing recognition that the two can coexist harmoniously.

One of the key arguments for the coexistence of sustainability and economics is that a healthy environment is vital for economic growth. Without clean air, water, and land, businesses struggle to operate efficiently and people’s health is compromised, leading to increased healthcare costs and decreased productivity. Therefore, investing in sustainable practices that protect the environment can actually be beneficial for the economy in the long run.

Moreover, sustainability can lead to cost savings for businesses. By reducing energy consumption, waste, and water usage, companies can lower their operating expenses. Additionally, consumers are becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases and are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products. This creates a market incentive for businesses to adopt sustainable practices, leading to increased profitability.

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Helen
Helen

Written by Helen

I’m a board member for the Harvard Creative Writing Collective and an outreach associate director for Harvard Women in Computer Science.

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