1. Defining Sustainability
Unit One
Defining Sustainability
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy

2. Sustainability What does mean?
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy

3. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet future needs.
World Commission on Environment and Development
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy

4. “Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet future needs” 
World Commission on Environment and Development
Basic Human Needs
What are people’s basic needs?
Do all people have the same needs?
Will a person living 100 years from now have the same needs as you do today?
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy

5. Our basic needs fall into three categories
Environment
Society
Economy
Good Jobs
Fair Wages
Opportunity
Fair Prices
Clean Air
Clean Water
Healthy Soil
Nutritious
Food
Safety
Health
Community
Education

6. Sustainability rests on
Economy
Society
Environment
Good Jobs
Clean Air
Safety
Sustainability rests on
Three Pillars
Health
Fair Wages
Clean Water
Healthy Soil
Community
Fair Prices
Nutritious
Food
Education
Opportunity

7. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability to meet future needs.
World Commission on Environment and Development
Present and Future
How can our present actions affect our future?
Give one example of how something you do today can make the future better.
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy

8. your future What do you want to be like?
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy

9. Your Vision
How would you improve this vacant lot to help achieve the future you want?
At your table discuss:
How will this space be used?
How will it support the needs of the community now and in the future?
How will it promote the economy, environment, and society?
Use a whiteboard to draw out your plan for this vacant lot. Make sure your plan includes each of the Three Pillars of Sustainability. Write up an explanation for your plan.
Photograph from Campaign to Take Back Vacant Land
National Sustainability Teachers’ Academy