Environmental Vision

The environment can be defined as the surroundings or the total sum of what surrounds us, and which especially affects and conditions the living circumstances of individuals or society as a whole.

Formentera’s environmental vision encompasses the set of natural, social, and cultural values existing on the island, in a specific place and time, that influence the life of present-day humanity and future generations. That is to say, it is not only about the space where life develops but also includes living beings, objects, water, soil, air, and the relationships between them, as well as elements as intangible as culture. This meaning is less common but of great importance, given that materials react in one way or another, depending on the environment in which they may be found.

In ecology, economics, and sociology, environmental protection is linked to sustainable development. In the 21st century, the environment is strongly tied to human carrying capacity and the effect of globalization that characterizes this era.

From the Industrial Revolution onwards, the effects of human actions on the environment acquired a global dimension. For a long time, these effects were always negative for the balance of ecosystems, but there was no social concern about them either.

However, from the last decade of the 20th century, within the framework of a society progressively more demanding of environmental quality and as a consequence of market economic globalization, the environment began to be one of the key factors of competitiveness for companies, and environmental management systems (EMS) began to be developed.

The concept of globalization, especially regarding its environmental aspect, is closely related to that of sustainability.

Sustainability is a complex economic, social, and ecological concept concerning the relationships between societies and the environment. It aims to be a way of organizing human activity so that society and its members are able to meet their needs and express their full potential in the present while maintaining biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and to plan and act to maintain these ideals indefinitely. Sustainability affects all organizational levels, from the neighborhood to the entire planet. It is often a controversial issue.

The Brundtland Report of 1987 technically and officially defines it as «meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.»