What Is Sustainability?

There is growing acknowledgement that forces such as population growth, consumption, and inappropriate “development” are combining to weaken the ecological systems on which all life depends.  Although environmental fluctuations have occurred throughout history, changes generated by human activity may be altering ecological systems in ways that will be irreversible. 

An alternative future is “sustainability,” defined as lasting environmental health, economic prosperity, and social equity for current and future generations. 

In a sustainable society,

• The regenerative capacity of the environment is maintained.
• All people have the opportunity to live a fulfilling life within the earth’s capacity.
• Democracy and justice are core values guiding people and institutions.
• People live, work and communicate successfully in multiple cultural contexts
• Conflicts are resolved without violence.
• Beauty and wonder are celebrated.

Achieving sustainability requires rethinking economic systems and cultural beliefs that equate “more” with “better.”

Creative Change's pedagogical approach is known as sustainability education.  This international movement emphasizes how economic, environmental, and social well-being are linked, and how to apply this knowledge to better our lives and communities.

The goal of sustainability education is to prepare effective, caring citizens who contribute to these outcomes at the personal and community level.   This approach raises the bar on all facets of instruction and requires that learners think critically, evaluate their assumptions, make connections, and grapple with compelling questions.  

Sustainability education fosters the following:

• an integrated scientific, social, cultural, and ecological literacy
• critical thinking, decision-making, collaborative problem-solving, and interpersonal communication
• appropriate applications of technology that help solve, not create, problems
• equity, justice, inclusivity, and respect for all people
• a pedagogy that fosters community, vision, and compassion

What sustainability education really offers, then, is the power to infuse a fundamental sense of purpose, meaning, and relevance across academic disciplines. With its focus on developing a positive future, sustainability promotes students' sense of connection, purpose, and social connection while developing values-based decision-making and problem-solving skills. And, while the term "sustainability" may be new to educators, the pedagogy integrates the best practices of more familiar approaches, including thematic instruction, project- and inquiry-based learning, academic service learning, multicultural education, and authentic assessment.

Learn more about our approach to Content and Pedagogy, and Unit Design.