Strong sustainability concept emphasizes irreplaceable natural capital

Cristian Echeverría Leal, Director of Sustainability at the Universidad de Concepción, argues for a shift from 'weak sustainability' to 'strong sustainability.' While weak sustainability suggests that environmental loss can be compensated for with economic or technological capital, strong sustainability posits that certain natural components are irreplaceable.

Key ecological functions—such as genetic diversity, water regulation, carbon storage, and soil formation provided by native forests and wetlands—cannot be substituted by infrastructure or money. The concept emphasizes that society and the economy are entirely dependent on functional ecosystems, requiring a focus on conserving and restoring critical natural structures rather than merely mitigating environmental impact.