Sustainability
From Envirowiki
Sustainability describes a system which uses the same amount of input as it produces usable output (not waste output). Such a system does not reduce the amount of resources that form the system.
In general sustainability in terms of human society and the environment is thought of as a system which produces the least possible amount of waste, both energy and physical matter.
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[edit] Definitions of sustainability and sustainable development
One of the first major definitions of "sustainability" was produced in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development, in the "Brundtland Report". The definition stated that sustainable development was
- "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"[1].
this definition was accepted by a lot of major economic bodies, such as the G7 (now the G8), the UNFCC, the UNCBD and the Rio Earth Summit (A conference of the UNCED).
Since then, this definition has come under fire for being extremely anthropocentric (i.e. only intergenerational equity is considered, and not interspecies equity).
[edit] Representations of sustainability
- The Sustainability Triangle is a debatable model which claims that the three pillars of sustainability are Economic, Environmental and Social Sustainability, and that for true sustainability each of those conditions must first be met. Oddly enough, the most common representation of this triangle has the Economic part at the top. Wonder who came up with that?
- Sustainability is a balance that we need to create between the environment, social issues and economics, in order to meet the needs of the present, with out compromising the needs of future generations.
[edit] Sustainablility at the day-to-day level
Add here your thoughts about what we can all do, day-to-day, to lessen our lives' environmental impact.
- Bicycles are a great start, and not using cars;
- Use public transport - even though it may be slow you can relax, read a book and not have to worry about the traffic, you might even meet some interesting people.
- More...
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ↑ quoted in Peter Hay, "Main currents in western environmental thought", p. 212
