Definitions

With the world's population now over 6 billion and increasing all the time, the pressure on our planet, its people and resources is intense. Most people agree that we cannot continue to use these resources and abuse our environment as we have done in the past.

Many people and organisations have tried to define what sustainable development means. Some of the most widely used definitions are reproduced here:

"development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

Brundtland Commission, 1987.

"Sustainable development means improving the quality of life whilst living in the carrying capacity of the supporting ecosystem."

IUCN (World Conservation Union), the United Nations Environment Programme and the Worldwide Fund for Nature, 1991.

Sustainable development is about considering different needs - the needs of people (society) and the needs of the environment - both now and in the future. Educating people about sustainable development is crucial.

"Education for sustainable development is about the learning needed to maintain and improve our quality of life and the quality of life of generations to come. It is about equipping individuals, communities, groups, businesses and government to live and act sustainably; as well as giving them an understanding of the environmental, social and economic issues involved. It is about preparing for the world in which we will live in the twenty first century, and making sure that we are not found wanting.

Education for sustainable development enables people to develop the knowledge, values and skills to participate in decisions about the way we do things individually and collectively, both locally and globally, that will improve the quality of life now without damaging the planet for the future."

Excerpts from a Report to DFEE / QCA from the Panel for Education for Sustainable Development, September 1988

Agenda 21

In 1992 the United Nations conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Usually referred to as the Rio Earth Summit, one of its major outcomes, agreed by 180 of the world�s leaders, was a blueprint for sustainable development. This action plan, beginning in the 1990�s but projecting forward into the 21st century, is called Agenda 21. Agenda 21 looks at environmental, social and development issues and how they inter-relate. Formulating, agreeing and implementing plans and strategies for sustainable development is now a requirement for national governments.

Action is not just a requirement of national governments. All local authorities are having to develop their own plans for sustainable development, based on local needs and the development of partnerships between all sectors of the community e.g. businesses, voluntary groups and young people. Do you know what YOUR local authority is doing ?