What is Sustainability?

What is sustainability all about?
Concern at the problems arising from the impact we have on the world has grown during recent decades. Environmental issues, poverty, health, increasing consumption, debt, unsustainable human development, and increasing amounts of waste affect everyone.

These concerns are often linked to 'sustainable development', which is a way of aiming to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of communities, now and in the future.

So what is happening about this?
These issues, and more, formed the basis of a United Nations Conference, dubbed the 'Earth Summit', in 1992 held in Rio de Janeiro. The conference developed a programme of action that could begin to tackle the issues, this action became known as 'Agenda 21', or an 'action plan for the 21st century'. Over 150 Countries, including the UK, signed up to it.

The World Summit in Johannesburg in September 2002 restated the importance of sustainable development and renewed the commitment to action.

Why is action needed locally?
Nothing can be done about the problems we face without the involvement of everyone. Local residents and communities are encouraged to become more involved in local issues, problems and projects.

The Earth Summits recognised that local action is essential for progressing sustainability. Some of the things you can do are listed within these pages (see "what you can do" section).

So what does it mean for me?
We all want a good quality of life, good health and a good standard of living. This general 'well-being' is affected by the problems and issues we face everyday at home, at work and during our leisure time. We all contribute in some way to the problems we face. Sustainability projects and other work are helping to reduce the problems by involving local people in tackling local concerns.