What is sustainable development?
Sustainable development “meets the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” It means to build a future our
children and grandchildren can enjoy, not at the expense of but in balance with their
natural environment.
At the local level
Sustainable local governments and businesses look for ways to use sustainable or
renewable materials in the development process, optimize supply chains to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, install and rely on renewable energy sources to power
facilities, as well as sponsor education funds for youth in the local community. They will
consider at every step of development how each decision might affect the environment
and its residents.
The federal government
At the federal level, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 committed the United
States to sustainability, declaring as a national policy “to create and maintain 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.” The
Environmental Protection Agency notes that the “common driver for sustainability efforts
is citizens.” Sustainable methods, tools, and guidance can be found on the EPA’s
website.
At the global level
In 2015 the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development
Goals, which aims to bring global expertise to scale. It provides a road map for peace
and prosperity for the world and its inhabitants, now and into the future. The UN
recognizes “that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with
strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic
growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and
forests.”
In summary
Sustainable development strives to maintain and support a community and its natural
habitat continuously over time. Governments and businesses seek to prevent the
depletion or pollution of natural resources for the sake of future generations to come.
Living in balance with, instead of at the expense of, nature should guide decisions from
zoning to water management and annexation to transportation and traffic safety.
