A Non Boring Definition of Sustainable Development

In my first-ever video, I go back to the basics and discuss the definition of the term sustainable development.

While the concept itself has been around for centuries, particularly in indigenous cultures, the modern definition was coined in the 1987 Brundtland Report titled Our Common Future and was popularized and accepted by world leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. That definition is still widely used to this day and is as follows:

“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

As is the case with any complex concept, there is a lot of debate around its nuances. Sustainable development is an entire field of work and study that is continually growing and evolving but this definition is a great starting point for anyone beginning their journey into the field.

Sustainability vs. Sustainable Development

You may be wondering what the difference between sustainability and sustainable development is, as the two terms are often used interchangeably. To understand this, one must look no further than the difference between the journey and the destination. Sustainability is often thought of as the end goal; what we are ultimately trying to achieve. To be sustainable is to be in a state that could continue forever, where our actions and ways of being are in harmony with each other and with nature. Sustainable development refers to the many processes and pathways to achieve sustainability. (UNESCO)

A Systemic Issue

Sustainability is a systemic issue, meaning that what happens in one nation, sector, or industry has impacts on others. The Brundtland report summarizes this beautifully by saying:

“Until recently, the planet was a large world in which human activities and their effects were neatly compartmentalized within nations, within sectors (energy, agriculture, trade), and within broad areas of concern (environment, economics, social). These compartments have begun to dissolve. This applies in particular to the various global 'crises' that have seized public concern, particularly over the past decade. These are not separate crises: an environmental crisis, a development crisis, an energy crisis. They are all one.”

Not JUST Environmental

It is important to remember that sustainability is not a strictly environmental concept, instead it focuses on balancing the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of society so that we can live within the bounds of what our planet can provide while still providing a quality life for all people.

Keep Learning

Here are a few great resources for further reading and learning:

Our Common Future (1987, Brundtland)
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992, United Nations)
Sustainable development – historical roots of the concept (Jacobus A. Du Pisani, 2006, Environmental Sciences)
Introduction to Sustainability course by University of Illinois
The Age of Sustainable Development course by SDG Academy

How to Support?

With every video, I provide links to related organizations that you may or may not choose to support or learn more about.

This particular topic is very all-encompassing so it is difficult to note a single organization that you can support to “help the cause.” Instead, I recommend checking out Charity Navigator’s listing of charities related to sustainable development. You can also look around your local community for organizations that are focused on helping people or the planet!