Source: Ontario Round Table on Environment and Economy
A sustainable community is one which:
Recognizes that growth occurs within some limits and is ultimately limited by the carrying capacity of the environment
Values cultural diversity
Has respect for other life forms and supports biodiversity
Has shared values amongst the members of the community (promoted through sustainability education)
Employs ecological decision-making (e.g., integration of environmental criteria into all municipal government, business and personal decision-making processes)
Makes decisions and plans in a balanced, open and flexible manner that includes the perspectives from the social, health, economic and environmental sectors of the community
Makes best use of local efforts and resources (nurtures solutions at the local level)
Uses renewable and reliable sources of energy
Minimizes harm to the natural environment
Fosters activities which use materials in continuous cycles.And, as a result, a sustainable community:
Does not compromise the sustainability of other communities (a geographic perspective)
Does not compromise the sustainability of future generations by its activities (a temporal perspective).
Source: Ontario Round Table on Environment and Economy
