Sustainability... What Does That Mean Again?

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. - Bruntland Commission

Sustainability has become a sort of buzzword, but sometimes the term is used so much that it loses its meaning.  What does sustainability actually mean?  Oftentimes sustainability is used synonymously with environmentalism, but isn't there more to it?  The more I used the term the more I realized it needed some definition.

Sustainability is a community's ability to meet its needs without hurting future generations' ability to do the same thing.  Sustainability is focused on maintaining what we have for our posterity, leaving the world a better place than when we entered it.  Practically, sustainability means integratating economic, environmental, and social issues into the decision making processes of an organization or individual.

Seattle Pacific University is committed to progressing in these areas.  The University has worked to reduce its environmental impact, from installing solar panels on Otto Miller Hall to building the Science Building to LEED standards.  The John Perkins Center continues its restorative work in Christian reconciliation.  And SPU continues to be ranked a top value in college rankings as it strives to make higher education accessible to more and more people.

I hope this gives a better framework for this blog and for what SPU is doing to engage in sustainable practices!