week 1 c Defining sustainability

In order to understand the reasoning behind defining a future sustainable concept, one must first define sustainability.

In order to define sustainability I started two main searches;

What is sustainability?

The best source I found that defines sustainability was the Environmental Protection Agency ( USA).

"Sustainability is important to making sure that we have and will continue to have,  the water, materials, and resources to protect human health and our environment."

Sustainability is about preservation, both health and society.

"Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Everything that we need for our survival and well-being depends, either directly or indirectly, on our natural environment.  Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations."


(United State Environmental Protection Agency, 2012) http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/basicinfo.htm

I understand that sustainability is relevant to more aspects of society than simply the environment. Developing the idea of  sustainability as a principle it is important that it is both applied and embodied in everyday life.


The link below from youtube.com, demonstrates a well rounded and in depth explanation of sustainability.

Defining Sustainability:

(Youtube.com, 2012)

What is a sustainable society?

There are many examples of sustainable minded societies, however a truly sustainable society does not exist. Sustainable Society USA, abruptly summerises the concept behind a sustainable minded community.


"A sustainable society is one that can progress without catastrophic setbacks in the foreseeable future."

Chen, S. 2007. What is a sustainable community. http://www.sustainablesocietyusa.com/html/SustainableSociety/20070913/24.html

In today's society, with maintaining current lifestyle levels and qualities of life, a sustainable society is not achievable. We are too wasteful in the manner that we live, and we live to consume. The sustainable future ahead should strive to achieve the above principle.