Explore the following terms and concepts via our definitions, links to related sites and book reviews (with a link to buy on Amazon) in our library...

Sustainable (Unsustainable)    Sustainable Living    Ecological footprint

Sustainable (unsustainable)

An activity or action can be described as "sustainable" if the activity can be done by all humans and can be supported by nature indefinitely.

Current Western lifestyles are often labeled unsustainable as all humans cannot consume resources and produce waste at this level without destroying the environments capacity to provide these resources to future generations. Indications of environmental stress due to human inability to halt consumptions at sustainable levels are evident as climate change, species extinction, desertification, fresh water scarcity, etc… 

 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report of 2005, sponsored by a collection of global agencies including the United Nations, stated

“Human activity is putting such strain on the natural functions of Earth that the ability of the planet’s ecosystems to sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted.”

The report states we are no longer living on the interest paid by a robust environment but rather we are consuming both interest and capital as we erode the capacity of nature to provide us with environmental or natural services such as fresh water, climate regulation, etc…

Several issues and moral dilemmas are engaged when one considers what sustainable means, for example…

• Are we bound to provide all humans access to the same amount of nature’s finite gifts or services?

• Do other species have a right to exist?

• What provision of nature (water, land, sea) do we allow to be wild, evolving and pristine for those parts of nature we don’t utilize?

If for example, your answer to these questions are yes, yes and say 25%, then sustainable means those activities you can do that could be done by everyone while utilizing 75% of natures surplus indefinitely.

Sustainable Living

Sustainable living is a lifestyle that, if adopted by every human on the planet, would be supported by the available natural services and natural resources without diminishing those available for future generations.

The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists

A solid book which weaves a detailed explaination as to why our current consumption patterns are damaging the environment (& our finances) with simple lists of actions we can take on a personal level as well as some ideas of things we should be demanding of our governments.

Greeniology: How to Live Well, Be Green and Make a Difference

This book contains a collection of practical, realistic, and easy-to-follow tips on how start treading on the earth more lightly. Offered are tips on using less, which are easily incorporated into everyday life and allow individuals to live more responsibly without making dramatic or expensive sacrifices to lifestyle.

Ecological Footprint

An ecological footprint is a measure of the resource consumption and waste assimilation requirements of a person or community as indicated by the amount of productive land required.

• Earth Day Footprint Quiz

Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth (New Catalyst Bioregional Series)

This is the seminal book that launched the ecological footprint concept. Our Ecological Footprint empowers both individuals and communities to measure, understand and ultimately reduce the impact of their consumption on the environment. The book uses illustrations and boxed topics to provide information accessable to all readership levels and maintains an optimistic stance despite the dire footprint results in most western countries. A great book!