Sustainability Home > Definition

What does Sustainability mean?

At its most basic level, sustainable means
"meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This is Ecology's working definition of sustainability.

Within the mission of the Department of Ecology are
three goals:

• Prevent pollution
• Clean up pollution
• Support sustainable communities and natural resource

Ecology's Guiding Principles of Sustainability

These eight principles were crafted to provide a framework to guide Ecology toward sustainable solutions.  They are intended to serve as overarching themes for the entire Agency.  Please keep in mind that they should not be viewed in isolation but as interdependent on one another.

1. There is an interdependence between ecological, economic and social factors in achieving sustainability.
2. The concept of waste can and should be eliminated.
3. Healthy natural systems are the basis for sustainable communities and economies.
4. Future generations should be equal partners in decision making.
5. Local decisions have regional and global implications.
6. Incentives are necessary to create sustainable behavior.
7. Investment in the design phase of a process or product drives sustainable outcomes.
8. Human relationships and a collaborative approach lead to sustainable solutions.