what IS SUSTAINABILITY?
many definitions of sustainability exist and the matter is hotly debated
SUSTAINABILITY AS A WORK IN PROGRESS
Sustainability relies on considered interactions between the primary producer, the biosphere (environment), and three consumer elements: society (valuing people), culture (valued way of life) and economy (fiscal value).
Without the primary producer (the environment) the other elements would not exist. The relationship between each element and
the primary producer are shown in the diagram above.
Where each element overlaps it produces a reciprocal action between the two. Thus, society nurtures culture and culture nurtures society, culture reflects economy and economy reflects culture, and economy supports society and society supports economy. Where all elements overlap defines our quality of life (“Q”). Quality of life however must not be confused with standard of living. Quality of life is determined by personal values. Since personal values are by nature expressed as individual choice, the actions you choose will determine your quality of life. Standard of living is usually defined as the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community.
Because sustainability is a work in progress and general consensus is forever debated.
Sustainability relies on considered interactions between the primary producer, the biosphere (environment), and three consumer elements: society (valuing people), culture (valued way of life) and economy (fiscal value).
Without the primary producer (the environment) the other elements would not exist. The relationship between each element and
the primary producer are shown in the diagram above.
Where each element overlaps it produces a reciprocal action between the two. Thus, society nurtures culture and culture nurtures society, culture reflects economy and economy reflects culture, and economy supports society and society supports economy. Where all elements overlap defines our quality of life (“Q”). Quality of life however must not be confused with standard of living. Quality of life is determined by personal values. Since personal values are by nature expressed as individual choice, the actions you choose will determine your quality of life. Standard of living is usually defined as the degree of wealth and material comfort available to a person or community.
Because sustainability is a work in progress and general consensus is forever debated.