Sustainability

Sustainability requires that people be able to meet their needs. Sustainability implies the persistence of the productivity of Earth’s natural resources and requires that the productive base required to support well-being, be maintained and increased over time. The needs of future generations are compromised when utilization of resources depletes resources or causes damage to nature.

Sustainability requires that the productive base be available to future generations. We can’t know what future generations may want. If the productive base of Earth’s systems is sustained, future generations can make their own choices about how best to meet their needs. Well-maintained forests, fields or rivers may provide an indefinitely sustainable flow of new trees and food, whereas over-use of these resources may lead to a permanent decline in timber or food availability.

Sustainability does not require that ecosystems remain unchanged.