We return to one of the original descriptions of sustainable development credited to the Brundtland Commission. Sustainable development is generally thought to have three components Environment, Society, and Economy. The well-being of these three areas are intertwined, not separate. For example, a healthy, prosperous society relies on a healthy environment to provide food and resources, safe drinking water, and clean air for its citizens. Here are some effective explanations of sustainable development created for different audiences.
Sustainable development has three components - environment, society, and economy.
If you consider the three to be overlapping circles of the same size, the area of overlap in the center is human well-being. As the environment, society, and economy become more aligned the area of overlap increases and so does human well-being. We believe that it means new technologies and new ways of doing business, which allow us to improve quality of life today in all economic, environmental, and social dimensions, without impairing the ability of future generations to enjoy quality of life and opportunity at least as good as ours. The human rights community says that sustainability is attainable through and supported by peace, justice, and democracy. Economics educators say sustainability is living on the interest rather than the principle.