What is sustainability?
Sustainability means healthy human societies living on a healthy planet for many generations into the future. Sustainability does not say that the environment is more important than human beings or that we have to give up our comforts! But it is about adapting the way we live and work to minimise the negative impacts on other people and on the natural environment on which we depend. It's about finding lasting ways to offer everyone a decent quality of life.
Sustainability means integrated, long term thinking - doing things that have social, economic and environmental benefits, rather than trading progress in one area for problems in another. Crucially it is about taking positive action now to turn around 'unsustainable' trends - whether it's rising greenhouse gas emissions, the depletion of natural resources, the loss of local shops/services or childhood obesity.
Every individual and organisation can take steps to be more sustainable. See SustNav - www.sustnav.org.uk - for the South West's sustainability Principles and for tons of practical ideas...today! To read more about a sustainable South West click here.
Sustainable development and sustainable communities
Sustainable development puts sustainability thinking into practice. It is a positive approach which aims to meet the needs of people today without jeopardising the lives of future generations. The aim of 'sustainable development' - whether it's on a local or global scale - is to provide the right circumstances for sustainable communities to flourish.
Truly sustainable communities are ‘resilient, healthy, productive, socially just and live within environmental limits'. They:
- are very low carbon and highly resource efficient
- are socially inclusive and involve everyone in solutions to both local and global challenges
- provide rewarding employment, learning and leisure opportunities which also support the local economy
- have access to, and are involved in looking after, local green space and wildlife
- meet lots of their needs (eg for energy and food) locally
- have a sense of common identity and of what makes this place 'special'
- both are safe and feel safe
To read more about a sustainable South West click here.
© 2007 Sustainability South West - UK registered charity, no. 1106125 - info@sustainabilitysouthwest.org.uk.