Sustainability Definition
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Defining Sustainability – A Hundred Perspectives Sustainability as an emergent concept reveals deep concerns about fundamental values and our own continued existence. While each personʹs definition of sustainability is seen to be the most relevant, the question is a universal one and common to all. Whether our definition of sustainability is anthropocentric, biocentric, egocentric, ecocentric, econocentric, sociocentric, worldcentric or perhaps simply personally eccentric, they are all valid. Collected here is a retrospective look at over one hundred perspectives from an evolving list of thousands of definitions of sustainability, reflecting the different conceptualizations and applications of this emergent concept.
Sustainability is … 1. “Sustainability – n. the property of being sustainable” – Princeton University 2. ʺSustainable development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the futureʺ ‐ World Commission on Environment and Development (page 40: 1987) 3. ʺSustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains two key concepts: the concept of ʹneedsʹ, in particular the essential needs of the worldʹs poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organisation on the environmentʹs ability to meet present and future needs.ʺ ‐ World Commission on Environment and Development (page 43: 1987) 4. ʺEcological sustainable development is using, conserving and enhancing the communityʹs resources so that ecological processes, on which life emrgnc 2003
emrgnc depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.” National Strategy for Ecological Sustainable Development (Australia) 5. “Sustainable
Defining Sustainability – A Hundred Perspectives Sustainability as an emergent concept reveals deep concerns about fundamental values and our own continued existence. While each personʹs definition of sustainability is seen to be the most relevant, the question is a universal one and common to all. Whether our definition of sustainability is anthropocentric, biocentric, egocentric, ecocentric, econocentric, sociocentric, worldcentric or perhaps simply personally eccentric, they are all valid. Collected here is a retrospective look at over one hundred perspectives from an evolving list of thousands of definitions of sustainability, reflecting the different conceptualizations and applications of this emergent concept.
Sustainability is … 1. “Sustainability – n. the property of being sustainable” – Princeton University 2. ʺSustainable development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the futureʺ ‐ World Commission on Environment and Development (page 40: 1987) 3. ʺSustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains two key concepts: the concept of ʹneedsʹ, in particular the essential needs of the worldʹs poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organisation on the environmentʹs ability to meet present and future needs.ʺ ‐ World Commission on Environment and Development (page 43: 1987) 4. ʺEcological sustainable development is using, conserving and enhancing the communityʹs resources so that ecological processes, on which life emrgnc 2003
emrgnc depends, are maintained, and the total quality of life, now and in the future, can be increased.” National Strategy for Ecological Sustainable Development (Australia) 5. “Sustainable