A Definition of Sustainability?

Since the initial publishing of the Brundtland in 1987 as well as documents coming out of the Rio de Janeiro Conference on Environment & Development in 1992, there has been much discussion and debate on the definitions of “sustainability”, “sustainable development” and numerous related concept. This thread compiles some recent discussions from forum posts and blog posts related to this issue.

> http://sustainablelanduse.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/further-definitions-of-sustainability-issues-in-environmental-management/

> http://www.sustainabilityforum.com/forum/sustainability-discussion/2814-looking-definition-sustainability.html

> http://www.sustainabilityforum.com/forum/sustainability-discussion/2689-reclaiming-definition-sustainability.html

> http://sustainablelanduse.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/some-terminology-definitions-sustainability-land-use-impact-assessment/

> http://www.relocalize.net/what_does_sustainability_really_mean

> http://www.sustainabilityblog.org/2007/10/30/what-is-sustainability/

> http://www.sustainabilityforum.com/forum/sustainability-discussion/1656-key-sustainability.html

> http://biopact.com/2007/03/closer-look-at-sustainability-criteria.html

> https://environmentalbase.forumotion.com/The-first-blog-b1/Reclaiming-the-Definition-of-Sustainability-b1-p5.htm

> http://network.nature.com/blogs/user/nanomech/2007/04/02/are-you-sustainable

> http://community.globeforum.com/blog.aspx?bid=3841

> http://sustainabletable.org/blog/?p=1250

> http://www.melodiesinmarketing.com/2008/10/16/defining-sustainability/

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In discussions on this topic, there is usually much reference to the “Brundtland Report” which laid the foundation for the discussions of “sustainability” and “sustainable development” over the past 21 years. As such, it may be useful to look at (the preamble of) the 1987 report itself, to revisit the context of its origin:

>United Nations. 1987: A/RES/42/187 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. 11 December 1987

42/1987. Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development

The General Assembly,

Concerned about the accelerating deterioration of the human environment and natural resources and the consequences of that deterioration for economic and social development,

Believing that sustainable development, which implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, should become a central guiding principle of the United Nations, Governments and private institutions, organizations and enterprises,

Recognizing, in view of the global character of major environmental problems, the common interest of all countries to pursue policies aimed at sustainable and environmentally sound development,

Convinced of the importance of a reorientation of national and international policies towards sustainable development patterns,

Continues...

Related:
> http://knol.google.com/k/rob-howe/sustainability/qoq7b4v2p76x/2#
> http://sustainablelanduse.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/wider-views-on-the-%e2%80%9cdefinition-of-sustainability%e2%80%9d/
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Sustainability 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 well being, which in turn depends on the well being of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources.The word sustainability is derived from the Latin sustinere . Dictionaries provide more than ten meanings for sustain, the main ones being to “maintain", "support", or "endure”.
A universally accepted definition of sustainability is elusive because it is expected to achieve many things. On the one hand it needs to be factual and scientific, a clear statement of a specific “destination”. The simple definition "sustainability is improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems", though vague, conveys the idea of sustainability having quantifiable limits.

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hi !!!
its really a informative post.
i wasn't known about the definition ,
thanks for your information dude...