What is Sustainability?

We hear this term thrown around a lot these days. Sustainable Growth, Sustainable Economy, Sustainable Resources. A brief explanation might be: “Sustainability is the concept of meeting present needs without compromising and sabotaging the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Over farming, logging, fishing and hunting are not restricted to modern societies. History is littered with civilizations that have over extended and depleted the resources in their immediate environment from rainforest tribes to Pueblo Indians to Polynesian Islanders. There is a law in biology about the nature of every organism, from one cell amoebas to Homo sapiens, to multiply and extend their population. Left unchecked without predators or competition they can run amuck and destroy the very source of the life that supports them, thus leaving future generations with cupboards that are bare.

As we look at our modern day civilizations and the planet as a whole, some scientist warn that years of rapid, unbridle growth and exploitation of resources will lead us to the brink of extinction and life as we know it. The cry has gone out around the world for awareness, correction, and a more sustainable approach to our relationship with our environment and each other. Are we going to heed the alarm and leave the world a better place for future generations? A positive light on the dark horizon is the American Institute of Architects blog on sustainability. Hawaii is blessed with an abundance of Renewable Resources plus a healthy attitude and ambition to jump start numerous solutions to sustainability. Click on the website below to find some proactive approaches to leaving the world a better place for many generations to come.


http://www.sustainablehawaiiisland.org/

Please email me with any questions or suggestions.  roan@maui.net