What is Sustainability Development?

Sustainable development, as defined by the Brundtland Commission, is “development that meets the needs of today’s generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (source: Lecture notes, Chris Ling, Friday January 7, 2010).

I believe that in order to achieve this, there needs to be a balance between economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Environmental sustainability can be considered to live within the means of our natural environment, using only what can be regenerated. There are two categories of Natural Capital: Renewable Natural Capital and Non-Renewable Natural Capital. Renewable Natural Capital is considered to be natural systems that can replenish themselves using energy from the sun (i.e. forests), and Non-Renewable Natural Capital is passive systems that can’t easily replenish themselves (i.e. coal) (source: Lecture notes, Chris Ling, Friday January 7, 2010).

To a certain extent our economy relies on our natural capital. Deforestation (renewable natural capital) allows for the development of agricultural land (production of grains and legumes), as well as the pulp and paper industry. Over consumption of our forests compared to their ability to regenerate, creates barren landscapes, reduction of soil moisture, increased erosion, and potential collapse of the agriculture and pulp and paper economies (for example). This is not considered to be sustainable.

Use of our non-renewable resources, such as coal, allows society to produce electricity. Increased energy consumption would result in over use of our coal resources, which may run out at a faster rate. As coal is considered non-renewable natural capital, society would not likely see this source regenerate within our lifetime.

Overconsumption of our natural capital, both renewable and non-renewable, could potentially result in reduced natural capital available for future generations, resulting in an economic shift to un-sustainability and would not provide socially sustainable development. Yes, new technologies would be developed to accommodate the lack of coal for power production (i.e. wind power), and the lack of forest products, however, this would not be considered to be environmentally sustainable.

A balance of the three criteria - social, economic and environmental sustainability - would ensure that there would not be overconsumption of our natural capital (renewable and non-renewable). Future generations would then have access to this natural capital and sustainable development would be achieved.