Linked as it has been to development, which implies its own set of desirable goals and growth, sustainability s connotations are those of building a solid future and achieving prolonged, lasting, worthwhile progress. Recently the concept of sustainability has been emphasized as an important component in solving global environmental problems. The concept, however, remains somewhat vague and certainly without a thorough translation from the conceptual to the practical. Sustainability is not just a thought or a set of ideals, but a way of living through a symbiotic relationship with our environment. This means taking into consideration the smallest details of life, such as what type of paper we buy, or what we use to clean our homes and offices.
Sustainability attempts to take into account the entire world as a system.
While some might question the effectiveness of development with the environment in mind, institutions such as Middlebury College, Denison University, and Oberlin College have completed successful ecological development projects. Ecological design can be employed to aid in the practical implementation of sustainability through the conservation of various resources, including the energy and materials used in construction, maintenance, and throughout the life of a building. Current ecological designs take into account building materials, windows, site placement, water treatment, and lighting fixtures to cut down on energy cost and pollution. While these materials may initially cost more, the environmental benefits from them warrant their use, and the economic payback is usually only a few years. By designing the building for a long life span, long-term environmental conservation can be achieved, and the ideals of sustainability can be passed down for the university and future generations to reap the benefits.