The UN has defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Sustainability refers to the long-term viability of human society with respect to its natural environment. In other words, it means developing ways to live sustainably while maintaining our quality of life. It also includes economic growth and social equity within this context.

Three Approaches of Sustainability

Here are three common approaches to sustainability:

1. The environmental approach focuses on protecting natural resources and minimizing the negative impact of human activities on the environment. This can involve reducing the use of non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power. Environmental sustainability can also involve reducing waste and pollution and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.

2. The economic approach to sustainability emphasizes balancing short-term economic gains with long-term sustainability. This can involve investing in sustainable technologies and practices, such as renewable energy and efficient resource use, to reduce costs and increase profitability over the long term. Economic development can also involve considering the social and environmental impacts of economic decisions and working to ensure that all members of society share the benefits of economic growth.

3. The social approach to sustainability focuses on the well-being of individuals and communities. This can involve addressing social inequalities and providing access to essential resources, such as food, water, and housing, to ensure everyone can thrive. Social development can also involve promoting social inclusion and participation and ensuring that decision-making processes are fair and transparent.

What Sustainable Development is and isn't.

Sustainable development requires a holistic approach to managing resources, so they are available for current and future generations. This includes protecting biodiversity, conserving water, air and soil, ensuring clean energy supplies, and creating healthy communities. This often involves making choices that consider the long-term effects of our actions and finding ways to minimize negative impacts on the environment.

It's not just about recycling or protecting the environment. It is a holistic approach that seeks balance to benefit current and future generations. It also recognizes that different communities and regions may have different priorities and challenges and that sustainable development must be tailored to meet the specific needs of each community.

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Development.

Three key elements to achieving sustainable development are people, planet, and prosperity. These elements are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, and all must be considered to achieve sustainable development.

1. The people element of sustainable development focuses on promoting social inclusion and ensuring that all members of society have the opportunity to thrive. This can involve providing access to essential resources, such as food, water, and housing, and promoting social participation and inclusion. It can also include addressing social and economic inequalities and ensuring that all members of society share the benefits of economic growth.
2. The planet element of sustainable development focuses on protecting natural resources and minimizing the negative impact of human activities on the environment. This can involve reducing the use of non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels, and increasing the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power. It can also involve reducing waste and pollution and protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.
3. The prosperity element of sustainable development focuses on ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and benefits all members of society. This can involve promoting entrepreneurship and job creation, as well as investing in education and training to increase the skills and productivity of the workforce. It can also include addressing social and economic inequalities and ensuring that all members of society share the benefits of economic growth.

Overall, sustainable development requires a balanced and integrated approach that considers people's needs, the planet's health, and the pursuit of prosperity. By working to achieve sustainable development, we can create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

Conclusion

In summary, there are many different definitions of sustainable development. However, most agree that it involves meeting today's basic needs by preserving tomorrow's capacity. We cannot do this alone - we each play a role in ensuring that the next generation will inherit a better world than the one we inherited.