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Compiled by Dr. Joe Herbertson
June 2001
Sustainable Resource
Processing
The
Challenge of Sustainable Development
Growth in Material Needs
Given rising populations and existing poverty levels, there are very legitimate aspirations to greatly increase the global capacity to meet material needs
Nature’s Limitations
In addition to fixed
land and water habitat areas, eco-systems have restricted
capacities to cope with impacts and to provide the regenerative services we
rely on2
The fundamental issue facing
Sustainable Development is achieving economic growth and social equity within
natural limits
To meet the needs and
aspirations of people with today’s products, methods of production and distribution systems would
require two or three more worlds 1
Sustainability happens when
society creates a long term stable physical relationship with the whole environment within
which we reside 3
2. ‘World Resources
2000-20001, People and Eco-Systems: The Fraying Web of Life’, WRI, UN, World Bank
3. K-H Robert, The Natural
Step
1. ‘Natural Capitalism,
Creating the Next Industrial Revolution’ P. Hawken, A & L.H. Lovins, Back Bay, Oct. 2000