Economic growth has to consider environmental sustainability – otherwise we are compromising the health and well-being of future generations and their future economic growth!
GENERAL SUSTAINABILITY DEFINITION AND PRINCIPLES
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:
the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs." (Bruntland 1987)
By definition, this requires citizens who wish to act sustainably to engage in actions that are ecologically sound, economically feasible, and socially responsible.
KEY CONCEPTS
Sustainable multiple use management of food resources, following food from production to consumption (i.e. resource use, zero waste vs. disposal).
Environmental impacts of food production.
How food production methods affect the nutritional content of food.
Improvement of public health through good nutrition in healthy food options.
Integrated waste management through proper packaging and disposal of food.
Pollution prevention through integrated waste management practices, such as rejection, source reduction, reuse opportunities, and recycling methods.
BACKGROUND STUDY
Watch this youtube video: Food Justice, A Growing Movement (6 minutes)
Ecological Footprint Quiz (5 minutes): Go to a website that provides the ecological footprint quiz for free. Complete the quiz to find out your footprint, or how many Earths would be needed to support your living habits. When finished, click the orange button, “Reduce your Footprint,” and read some strategies to reduce your personal global footprint. https://www.footprintcalculator.org/
Sample Solution