earthcare connections

| sustainability |

Growth...for the sake of growth...not determined by any overarching social principle...[is] the phenomenon which, when it occurs in the human body, is called cancer.

-Lesslie Newbigin, missionary and theologian

What is sustainability? The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Although economics plays a large role in our decisions, it is not the only thing we should take into consideration. Equally important are the environmental and social costs of our decisions. With increased sustainable development, Earthcare ensures the improvement of our quality of human life and well-being. Not only that; with sustainable development we become more efficient and effective when handling resources. This means less waste of resources, which is good for the environment as well as for economics. This requires an evolution in the paradigms we live by.

Sustainable agriculture is generally “a system which ensures everyone has access to quality food in quantities needed for sustenance.” The Sustainable Agriculture Network refers to sustainable agriculture as an agricultural production and distribution system that:

• Achieves the integration of natural biological cycles and controls
• Protects and renews soil fertility and the natural resource base
• Optimizes the management and use of on-farm resources
• Reduces the use of nonrenewable resources and purchased production inputs
• Provides an adequate and dependable farm income
• Promotes opportunity in family farming and farm communities
• Minimizes adverse impacts on health, safety, wildlife, water quality and environment.

***Source: Sustainable Agriculture Network, http://www.sare.org/htdocs/docs/SANandSARE.html