An overused term, for one…
Wikipedia: Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time.
Wiktionary: Noun
- the ability to sustain something
- (ecology) 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, planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals for future generations
United States Environmental Protection Agency: The traditional definition of sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Populatation and Communities: living sustainably means housing affordability, sustainable population, government sustainability and sustainability education.
Simon Dye (friend and artist): Sustainability is the point at which our economic and social involvement balance with our environmental involvement. Sounds a simple equation but of course there needs to be a blend between each individually ie: (I would say firstly) Economic and social need to come symbiotic with human rights, the ethical conduct in business which might include fair trade with us being a globe of countries (business partners?).
Next may be the balance between business and environment ie: financing research in using natural materials and energy efficiency (of course, maybe this should be first?).And then of course making our lives merge with the environment by proactively using the natural and efficient choices available.
Alena Russell: In real terms, it could mean talking to the neighbours, or being friendly to local kids and their parents as they walk home from school so they know yours is a safe house. Or maybe picking up garbage off the beach or the street, or making food from seasonal vegetables instead of packets.
It could mean being honest with your Mum to maintain truth and integrity and allow the relationship to continue healthily and long into the future or just to enrich those around you.
Or helping to build a garden at the local public school and teaching the kids how to look after it.
Keeping a worm farm.
Buying more fresh food than supermarket goods. More local than imported.
Any or all of these are about living in the present in way that understands its impact on the future.
What is it to you?
0 Response to “What is sustainability?”