Sustainability Objectives

What are the actual objectives of these three circles of Economic vitality, Ecologic integrity, and social Equity? To act in a sustainable development fashion includes a major transformation in society, focusing on the following:

• population stabilization
• efficient, effective use of natural resources
• determining environmental limits
• refining market economies
• waste reduction and pollution prevention
• new technologies and technology transfer
• "win-win" situations
• integrated environmental systems management
• education
• perception, attitude and behavioral changes (paradigm shifts)
• social and cultural development

It is worth noting that the first focus issue above involves the growth of human populations. The second, third, fourth, and fifth issues involve how humans consume materials and resources. In the minds of many who work in the arena of sustainable development, according to Dr. Albert Bartlett (University of Colorado) there are two primary "Laws of Sustainability" (Bartlett, A.A. 1998. Reflections on sustainability, population growth, and the environment. Renewable Resources Journal 15(4): 6-23).

1. The First Law states that current population growth and/or growth in rates of consumption of resources cannot be sustained.
2. The Second Law states that the larger the population of a society and/or the larger its rate of consumption of resources, the more difficult it will be to transform the society to a condition of sustainability.

The only hope for sustainable development is a radical shift in societal ethics and culture which considers population stabilization and more responsible consumerism. This shift in attitude and behavior is guaranteed to promote personal fulfillment and sharing, but will also reduce unfulfilling, unnecessary consumption.

Once the overlap and integration of sustainable development elements is identified, accepted, and practiced, people can begin working collectively, extending the area of overlap and integration demonstrated in the sustainable development model above. The key to success of this strategy, however, is that we always treat one another with dignity, compassion, and equality while we explore the hidden potential of the almond-shaped region of circle overlap (see the three circle diagram) and the progress to be gained from integration of the different issues that challenge us.

While this approach contributes to agreement (consensus-building), caution must be exercised so that it does not lead to policies rooted in ambiguity and misunderstanding. The intersecting circles model, if not understood, can obscure real imbalances, non-equivalencies, and moral issues critical to sustainability, and may encourage avoidance of hard questions, contributing to social denial.