The World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission), defined "sustainable development" as follows in the report Our Common Future (Oxford : Oxford University Press, 1987):
"Sustainable development is development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. It contains
within it two key concepts: the concept of "needs", in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."
Sustainability can encompass many things and can be pursued on several different levels and scales. This section of the Open Directory addresses global-scale sustainability, regional and community sustainability, and sustainable living in daily lives. ("Think globally, act locally.")
of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), providing multilateral financial assistance for Latin America and the Caribbean. Provides technical advice to Bank project teams, and creates and disseminates knowledge on sustainable development issues with t www.iadb.org/sds
Comprehensive list of internet sites dealing with sustainable development, including organisations, projects and activities, electronic journals, libraries, references and documents, databases. www.ulb.ac.be/ceese/meta/sustvl.html
Supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. Site resources and links are related to community sustainable and sustainable living. www.sustainable.doe.gov
Independent, international research institute specialising in sustainable development and environment issues at local, national, regional and global policy levels. Aims to clarify the requirements, strategies and policies for a transition to sustainabilit www.sei.se
The ILSR is a nonprofit research and educational organization that provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sound economic development strategies. www.ilsr.org
The Sustainability Education Project was formed to help bring human population growth, economic development and natural resource consumption into balance with the limits of nature for the benefit of current and future generations. www.iwla.org/sep
Explores how human society can become sustainable, and serves as a catalyst for voluntary change toward a more humane and sustainable culture. www.context.org/ICLIB/DEFS/hsc.htm
Network of European organizations, companies, trade unions and related groups working on sustainable development. Site has extensive resources on links on sustainability at all scales. Special topics include green purchasing, sustainable tourism, and Euro www.epe.be
A project of the Global Accords Consortium for Sustainable Development housed at MIT. GSSD consists of an index to some of the best resources and materials on sustainability on the Internet. gssd.mit.edu
Nonprofit organization working to help colleges and universities expand their efforts to make environmentally sustainable and just action a foundation of learning and practice. Organization information and resources for promoting sustainability. www.secondnature.org
Organization promoting social and environmental sustainability through decentralism. Information on philosophies, projects and lectures; community-oriented economies, local currencies, community land trusts, and similar measures. www.schumachersociety.org
The Center assists communities, business and government to enhance the economy and environment by developing strategies to decouple economic growth, job creation and community development from environmental impacts. www.upa.pdx.edu/CWCH
Resource on appropriate technologies in the fields of sustainable agriculture, waste management, textiles and renewable energy, primarily in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan province in China. www.ist.cmu.ac.th/riseat
An UK organisation that aims to promote sustainable development by ensuring that the environment is at the heart of decision-making. www.green-alliance.org.uk
Portal to information on balancing economic, environmental, social, cultural, health and political needs in the management of natural resources to maintain quality of life and ensure viability in the future. www.environmentandresources.ca/..
Center for interdisciplinary study of sustainability issues at the University of Minnesota, including: biosafety, organic aquaculture, population and risk assessment of transgenic organisms. www.fw.umn.edu/isees
New Zealand organization offering workshops, consultancy, and other education, training and support, to further the particular goals of a business or organization while advancing a sustainable environment. www.sustainablesystems.co.nz
Homepage of Prof. David Bainbridge. Information and articles about agroforestry, sustainable building, and environmental restoration. Also, technical consulting services. List of natural fibers. Technology and materials descriptions. www.ecocomposite.org
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich initiatives for sustainability, energy, ecology and economy. Includes information about current projects and upcoming events. English/French/German. www.novatlantis.ch/frames_e.html
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