Sustainability

What is sustainability?

Sustainability provides for current needs without sacrificing the needs of future generations.

Sustainable practices require that we evaluate how our decisions today will affect society, the environment and the economies of the future.

Sustainability acknowledges that people, economies and all life depend on healthy functioning societies, economies and ecosystems.

Some key principles include:

• Reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources and limited raw materials
• Reducing waste, reusing or recycling materials
• Reducing dependence on synthetic compounds
• Reversing the decline of natural resources
• Anticipating and preventing problems in the future

A sustainable activity is one that:

• Addresses the relationship between the environmental, economic and social aspects of
  an activity
• Addresses root causes of problems and prevents or eliminates them, rather than dealing
  with their consequences
• Avoids shifting impacts from one area to another in relation to the environment, the economy and the community
• Recognizes the irreplaceable value of natural capital in supporting all life
• If not fully sustainable, provides a transition toward more sustainable outcomes

Other links:

Environmental Tips from the Washington State Department of Ecology.