What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is a long-term goal that seeks to balance environmental, economic and societal needs. This includes:

• wise use of natural and economic resources

• energy, fuel and resource efficiency

• waste reduction

• reuse and recycling

• changes to building and land use

• and a coordinated effort to educate and encourage the broader community to follow suit.

But a truly "sustainable" community goes far beyond basic energy efficiency and pollution reduction. A sustainable community provides for all the needs of its inhabitants (including people, animals and habitats). This includes protecting open spaces, natural habitats and landscapes; ensuring access to basic human needs such as food, housing and health care; encouraging an active community involvement in social, political and community activities; and providing the every-day services that make daily tasks possible - services such as maintaining transportation routes and ensuring fair, accurate, democratic elections.