ABSTRACT
Environment, economy, and equity – the three words that have long served as the basic tenets of sustainable development in the U.S. Without question, attention to three core elements is due, in no small measure, to the seminal report of the World Commission Environment and Development (commonly referred to as the Brundtland Commission report) titled, Our Common Future. Released in 1987, the document defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The report outlined the three vital components of sustainability: (1) environment: the conservation and enhancement of the environmental and natural resources base; (2) economy: the development economies that focus on long-term economic stability and the wise use of resources; and (3) social equity: addressing the basic quality of life needs of all people (i.e., health, education, participation, equity) while remaining accountable to the critical needs of future generations (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987).
