A Heirarchy of Sustainability?

There is probably no modern issue more subject to misrepresentation, extremist views and non-scientific assertions than the problem of defining human sustainability (except perhaps the climate change issue). There is no doubt that the human species has reached the boundaries of the closed system known as the Earth's biosphere. However, finding long term solutions to the maintenance of human existence within this biosphere is not well served by taking non-scientific extreme positions which fail to take into account the closely linked considerations in creating a sustainable environment for future generations.

In considering the meaning of sustainability it is critical that we understand and model sustainability in terms of four main views:

• Natural Sustainability (sustainability of the planetary biosphere);
• Social Sustainability (the sustainability of social systems and structures which sustain human existence such as individual rights and responsibilities, and respecting the integrity of those constructs which maintain social resilience within the human collective)
• Economic Sustainability (sustainability of economic mechanisms which form the basis for the ongoing development of the human enterprise)
• Human Performance Sustainability (the creation and maintenance of built and natural environments which encourage and support the sustainable performance of human elements within the overall human enterprise (domestic / employment / recreation)