In the terms of the 1987 Brundtland Report, sustainable development is defined as: “Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.” However, many people find that defining “sustainability” is a difficult issue.
According to wikipedia, most people may agree that certain aspects are necessary to have sustainability.
- dealing cautiously with risk, uncertainty and irreversibility
- ensuring appropriate valuation, appreciation and restoration of nature
- integration of environmental, social and economic goals in policies and activities
- equal opportunity and community participation
- conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity
- ensuring inter-generational equity
- recognizing the global dimension
- a commitment to best practice
- no net loss of human or natural capital
- the principle of continuous improvement
- the need for good governance
I believe one of the best definitions of sustainability is “a systemic concept, relating to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society. It is intended to be a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals indefinitely. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire planet.”
What does sustainability mean to you?
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability