The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defines sustainable development as “forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. Sustainability does not mean the end of growth or development, but rather ensuring that this is done in such a way so that our children and grandchildren will not be left to pay the price for our overconsumption.

Many estimates show us running out of and irreversibly damaging vital resources within a few years; in fact, scientists believe we have already created irreversible changes in Earth’s climate. What is necessary now is to transition from the old paradigm of TAKE, MAKE, WASTE (short term thinking) to the new paradigm of REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE (long term thinking). We must move from using finite resources to alternatives which are not finite (i.e. renewable) where they exist; where renewable alternatives do not exist they must be developed; and where it is impossible for there to be any alternative we must preserve and replenish finite resources as much as possible.

Ideally any person or group should have a net positive impact on the communities they operate in – increasing the quality of life for all people affected by their activities. We must learn to consider ourselves as part of a complex, interconnected system where there is no such thing as externalities. We must consider the intrinsic costs to society and the environment of every activity we undertake.