Topic 1: What is Sustainability? What are Sustainable Communities?Listed below are some ideas of what sustainability and/or sustainable communities are. All of the definitions were taken from different publications or were submitted by youth.
These definitions are just the starting point, not the answers! They, like any ideas, are the views of the individuals themselves.
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From Webster's Dictionary of American English To" sustain" means to make something last for an indefinite period of time, to keep an action or process going "Needs" can be strictly defined as the things that we cannot do without, things that are necessary for survival of a species or habitat, requirements To "compromise" means to make uncertain or to jeopardize |
From Rescue Mission Planet Earth: A Youth Edition of Agenda 21
A sustainable environment is an environment in which the Earth's resources sustain life and health, support progress, and are able to renew themselves.
A sustainable economy is an economy in which development decisions, policies and practices do not deplete the Earth's resources and are implemented with respect for the cultures of the world.
A sustainable society is a society whose members live in harmony with each other and with nature, locally, nationally and internationally.
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Sustainability =Seven Generations As spoken by Chad Diabo, Mohawk of Kahnewahke "Seven Generations is not so much a principle but a teaching. When you are going to make important decisions, you base yourself on what impact it will have seven generations from now. It's like thinking ahead, thinking long term and not only what impact it will have now. It's like if I have a forest, clear cutting will give immediate gain of cash, but if I leave it, generations from now will be around to enjoy it. This teaching is passed on by example and by orally. If you look at my ancestors that explains why there were treaties. They made those agreements in the past to pass on to my generation. Everybody has their own way of looking at Seven Generations." |
From the Youth Environmental NGo's Position Summary for the Commission on Sustainable Development
Sustainable Societies
...don't promote consumer culture (a lifestyle where we use things and throw them away without being conscious of its impact on the environment and life around us)
...promote ecological education and awareness of sustainability issues
...ensure real participation in decision making for youth and all people in society, especially including diverse groups of people
...are governed based on the impact decisions will have on all those that are affected (in the present or future)
"Defining Sustainability" An article by Renée Perrault, TG Youth Journalist
An eternity is a long time. Yet, if we as today's society are to be successful in future survival, we must learn how to properly conserve the natural environment and its biodiversity so it may be forever sustained. And, it is only though appropriately designed programs, which are sensitive to natural conditions, that sustainable agriculture can be achieved.
The Webster's New World Dictionary defines "sustain" as being kept in existence, being kept up, maintained or prolonged. That is clearly what needs to be achieved. As technology furthers itself, as the world population continues to increase, and as we, as a society, continue to "develop"the world and its components, the need for sustainability is ever increasing.
"Modern conservation, then, can be defined as the management of the human use of the environment so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations, while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations" (The 1995 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia)
In terms of sustainable development, we have only just begun. But, on the other hand, potential and beneficial initiatives are underway. for example, Québecois adopted a forest protection strategy, that modifies the method of timber harvesting, the publication of Agenda 21 and the establishment of the Sustainable Use Initiative(SUI) which addresses the use of forests, fish and other wild resources. These are only a few of the many possibilities that have begun to acknowledge the increasing necessity for sustainability.
One does not always come to aide, when one does not see the need. But a problem,such as deforestation in areas such as Latin America, affects you much more than meets the eye. Look into our natural resources, research them, and you will see the ever present need for action.
Do some independant research! Click and Link to:
- Environment Canada's Green Lane Sustainability Page
- International Institute for Sustainable Development Youth Sourcebook
- Learn how the Sustainable Development Research Institute Defines Sustainability
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© 1997 - TG Magazine / The Students Commission
© 1997 le magazine TG / la Commission des
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