How To Obtain Real Solutions

Sustainable Development is a process to define our problems and solve them in a way that is long-lasting. By following principles of sustainability we can overcome unanticipated consequences of short-sighted solutions, that deal only with the symptoms of our problems rather than the underlying causes. Acting sustainably allows us to think and function outside our own boxes (disciplines, organizations, communities), and is a means that will encourage us to think in an integrative way (ecology, economics, equity). It is important to recognize a sustainable development framework as an essential way to organize our work on problem-solving. It is about hard work; it is not a "quick- fix" or simply jumping on the "band wagon". It means rolling up our sleeves as a community and saying we are not going to be with this for a year or two, but rather for the next generation or several generations.

The best approach to discussing sustainable development is to talk about the things we all know about and are comfortable with: such things as our homes, our children, our jobs, nature, the air we breathe, and the food we eat. These topics are what sustainability is about and believe it or not they are all interconnected. Sustainable development is the simultaneous consideration of environment, life, and human well-being.

Actually, these are the exact things that sustainable development hopes to improve. In this sense, sustainability implies long-lasting, continuing far into the future (generations). These topics and their continuing quality, are the basics of our life and what enables us to live in the manner that we have become accustomed -- or, what floats this huge capitalistic boat we seem to be on. Thus, in discussing further the concept of sustainable development in truly meaningful ways, relevance is vital -- that which we will pay attention to.