The term ‘sustainability’ has a different definition when different institutions are involved. The purpose of the following paper is to compare and contrast the term ‘sustainability’ based on the definition by Merriam-Webster, United States Environmental Protection Agency and Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future.

Comparison of Definition

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, three definitions are provided. The first one elucidates ‘sustainability’ as relating to or a method of harvesting and using resources in a manner that limits its depletion or exhaustion. The other definition according to Merriam-Webster is that ‘sustainability’ relates to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable materials.  The former definition relates to environmental issues when it comes to the utilization of resources whereas, the second definition pertains to societal norms. For this paper, the first definition shall be used for comparison and contrast purposes.

Concerning the definition provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is that sustainability should be taken as a principle within which resources can be used based on availability within the natural environment. Compared to the Merriam-Webster definition, the two institutions associate sustainability as resource utilization which are obtained from the natural environment.

As for Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future, ‘sustainability’ as the utilization of available resources by the present generation so as not to comprise the ability of future generations to meet their needs (Brundtland et al.). Compared to the other two institutions definition of ‘sustainability,’ Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future is similar in recognizing that sustainability is on the utilization of resources.

Moreover, all three institutions regard ‘sustainability’ as the utilization of resources in a manner that ensures that future generations can use the resources. For instance, Merriam-Webster, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future have similar terminologies for the term which include – future generations, utilization of resources and usage of resources in a manner that future generations can be able to use them.

Difference in Definition

According to Merriam-Webster, ‘sustainability’ is defined as ‘the procedure of harvesting or utilization of resources so that resources do not be depleted and or permanently damaged. This type of definition has no clear implication for the future generations compared to the definitions presented by the Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To be precise, the last two institutions identify the implication of utilization of resources by the current generations and the influence of utilization to the future generations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a more detailed definition of the term ‘sustainability’ indicating the use of resources, either directly and indirectly, in a manner that the environment maintains its natural state. In addition, the institution indicates that the term ‘sustainability’ encompasses the consideration of how humans and the natural ecosystem would be affected and thus, emphasizes the creation and maintaining the natural, correct conditions. On the other hand, the Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future defines ‘sustainability’ as the need to utilize resources in a manner that is not “compromising to the ability of the future generations to meet their needs.”

Conclusion

The paper has presented three different definitions of the term ‘sustainability.’ Merriam-Webster is determined to have a less significant definition compared to the other institutions. Compared to the USEPA definition, the Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future is vague and lacks comprehensive analysis and pre-determination of the consequence. But, Brundtland Commission’s Our Common Future definition is more precise and more transparent with a hint of implications to the future generations.

Work Cited

Dictionary, Merriam-Webster. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2006. Accessed 11^th February 2019 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainability

Brundtland, Gru, et al. “Our common future (\’brundtland report\’).” (1987).

Manual, Waste Minimization Opportunity Assessment. “The United States Environmental Protection Agency.” Government Institutes Inc (1988): 1-5.

 
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