Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is growth that meets present needs without using up resources future generations will need. It balances economic activity, social well-being, and the environment. Governments apply it through planning, resource rules, and programs, and international bodies promote shared goals.

People usually ask what sustainable development means in practice and how it is measured. They want to know how federal, state, and local governments build it into land use, fisheries, agriculture, and energy decisions. They also ask how supporters and critics see the balance between growth and protection.