Sustainability Glossary
WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE LIVING?
Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity to endure. In ecology, the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.
Since the 1980s, human sustainability has implied the integration of economic, social and environmental spheres to: “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”[1]
Efforts to live more sustainably can take many forms from reorganising living conditions on a community scale, reappraising economic sectors and work practices such as construction and agriculture, and using science to develop new technologies to adjustments in individual lifestyles (gardening, biking, etc.).
[1] United Nations General Assembly (1987) Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. Transmitted to the General Assembly as an Annex to document A/42/427 - Development and International Co-operation: Environment. Retrieved on: 2009-02-15.
MUD's 10 TENETS OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING:
Sometimes “sustainability” is a vague concept. Since MUD uses this word often, we think it is important to explain what we mean by sustainable living. The following list identifies lifestyle decisions we can all make (and work towards) that result in increased economic and ecological sustainability. We’ll begin with what’s very familiar:
i. Reduce Consumption – Live simply
ii. Reuse Resources - Reclaim; renovate; restore
iii. Recycle Resources
iv. Spend Money Wisely - As individuals, make socially and environmentally responsible investments and consumer choices
v. Share Resources - Resources include physical materials, as well ask knowledge, skills, community relationships and more.
vi. Increase self-sufficiency/self-reliance - Learn how to do things for ourselves, such as growing & processing food, home and vehicle maintenance, etc.
vii. Strive for Economic Sustainability - As a society, spend money on environmentally and socially ethical products and projects; limit spending to necessities; invest for the long-term
viii. Make Sustainability Accessible - Create social systems to make sustainability accessible to all; create community/neighborhood inclusivity (we can’t have sustainability on the scale of 1)
ix. Spread the Word - Live by example; teach one another
x. Reward/ Celebrate! - Sustainable living has its own rewards. It's fun, efforts have tangible pay-offs, and we can enjoy doing it with others.
Sustainable Business Council definitions of sustainability
More on sustainability at Wikipedia
Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity to endure. In ecology, the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.
Since the 1980s, human sustainability has implied the integration of economic, social and environmental spheres to: “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”[1]
Efforts to live more sustainably can take many forms from reorganising living conditions on a community scale, reappraising economic sectors and work practices such as construction and agriculture, and using science to develop new technologies to adjustments in individual lifestyles (gardening, biking, etc.).
[1] United Nations General Assembly (1987) Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. Transmitted to the General Assembly as an Annex to document A/42/427 - Development and International Co-operation: Environment. Retrieved on: 2009-02-15.
MUD's 10 TENETS OF SUSTAINABLE LIVING:
Sometimes “sustainability” is a vague concept. Since MUD uses this word often, we think it is important to explain what we mean by sustainable living. The following list identifies lifestyle decisions we can all make (and work towards) that result in increased economic and ecological sustainability. We’ll begin with what’s very familiar:
i. Reduce Consumption – Live simply
ii. Reuse Resources - Reclaim; renovate; restore
iii. Recycle Resources
iv. Spend Money Wisely - As individuals, make socially and environmentally responsible investments and consumer choices
v. Share Resources - Resources include physical materials, as well ask knowledge, skills, community relationships and more.
vi. Increase self-sufficiency/self-reliance - Learn how to do things for ourselves, such as growing & processing food, home and vehicle maintenance, etc.
vii. Strive for Economic Sustainability - As a society, spend money on environmentally and socially ethical products and projects; limit spending to necessities; invest for the long-term
viii. Make Sustainability Accessible - Create social systems to make sustainability accessible to all; create community/neighborhood inclusivity (we can’t have sustainability on the scale of 1)
ix. Spread the Word - Live by example; teach one another
x. Reward/ Celebrate! - Sustainable living has its own rewards. It's fun, efforts have tangible pay-offs, and we can enjoy doing it with others.
Sustainable Business Council definitions of sustainability
More on sustainability at Wikipedia
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