What is sustainability?

We hear the words 'sustainable' and 'sustainability' almost every day. But what
does it mean exactly? Is it about people and culture, our environment, or jobs
and money? Is it about cities or the country? Is it about you and me or is it
something for other people to worry about?
Sustainability is about all of these things and more.
Sustainability could be defined as an ability or capacity of something to be
maintained or to sustain itself. Its about taking what we need to live now, without
jeopardising the potential for people in the future to meet their needs.
If an activity is said to be sustainable, it should be able to continue forever.

Planting trees

Some people say it is easy to recognise activities that are unsustainable

because we know it when we see it. Think of extinction of some species of
animals, often due to the activities of humans. Or salinity (salt) in our rivers due to changed land management practices. And at
home, the amount of packaging you put in the bin that has to go into landfill.
Living sustainably is about living within the means of our natural systems (environment) and ensuring that our lifestyle doesnt harm
other people (society and culture). Its a big idea to get your head around, for all of us. Its really about thinking about where your
food, clothes, energy and other products come from and deciding whether you should buy and consume these things. For example,
you can buy timber imported from other countries to use in your home, but do you know enough about the rules in place in those
countries to prevent animals from being harmed during the timber harvesting process, or if the local indigenous people support the
harvesting, or how much they get paid?
Increasingly our lifestyle is placing more and more pressure on natural systems. Scientists continue to investigate how human
interactions with natural systems can be improved and sustained.
A good example of a sustainable practice is timber harvesting from native NSW state forests.
Native forests have many uses and values. They provide us with timber, clean water and air and we value the biodiversity they
contain, their beauty and links to Aboriginal culture. Timber is harvested from the same native forests over and over again in NSW.
These forests continue to provide us with timber. How? No more timber is cut than the forest can regrow.
Also, many other factors are considered before any trees are cut down, including soil type, plants and animals and cultural heritage
sites. Timber harvesting in native forests is carried out so that erosion is minimised, threatened species habitat and cultural heritage
sites are protected, and trees remain to provide seed so the forest can regrow naturally after harvesting.
In fact timber harvested from NSW state forests has been independently certified as a sustainable product. To find out more see:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forests/management
Some key dates in sustainable development
1968 United Nations Biosphere Conference, Paris.
1968 Conference on ecological aspects of international development, Washington DC.
1972 UN conference on the human environment, Stockholm.
1973 Patterns of resource use, environment and development strategies, Mexico.
1974 'North:South - A program for survival' (Brandt Report) published.
1975 World Conservation Strategy adopted.
1982 UN General Assembly adopts Charter for Nature.
1983 World Commission on Environment and Development established.
1987 Commission produces 'Our Common Future' (Brundtland Report). Popularises the term 'sustainable development'.
1987 Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer.

1988 Toronto Convention on greenhouse gas emissions.

1988 Centre for Our Common Future established.
1989 Australian Government produces environment statement: 'Our country our future'.
1990 Australian Government publishes discussion paper: 'Ecologically sustainable development'.
1991 Caring for the Earth conference.
1992 Earth Summit (UNCED): UN conference on environment and development, Rio de Janeiro. Agenda 21 established.
1992 UN establishes Commission on sustainable development.
1992 Australian Government adopts national strategy for ESD.
1993 Convention on biodiversity ratified.
1994 Convention on climate change in force.
1994 UN conference on population and development, Cairo.
1997 Special UN discussions on implementation of Agenda 21.
1997 UN conference on climate change, Kyoto.
2000 The Millennium Declaration adopted by UN General Assembly defines 'respect for nature' as a fundamental value, and
commits 'to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies'.
2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg promotes environmental protection, economic and social
development as interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
2005 UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) is launched to advance lifelong learning of knowledge, skills
and values required for durable social transformation.
2007 Australia signs the Kyoto Protocol.
For a more comprehensive and interactive timeline see: http://sdgateway.net/introsd/timeline.htm

Read more about sustainability

Centre for Eco Literacy - http://www.ecoliteracy.org/education/sustainability.html
Sustainable Living Foundation http://www.slf.org.au/
Its a Living Thing http://www.livingthing.net.au/
Sustainable Schools NSW http://www.sustainableschools.nsw.edu.au/Default.aspx?tabid=36
Tackling Climate Change, South Australian Government http://www.climatechange.sa.gov.au/index.php?page=what-can-i-do
Department of Environment and Climate Change http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainingourenvironment.htm
United Nations - Education for Sustainable Development http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-
URL_ID=27234&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
The Green Dictionary http://www.thegreendirectory.com.au/index.php

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