ABSTRACT
In reading and researching for this project, understanding of sustainability is both unresolved and ambiguous. That creates a problem: for some, the word sustainability is losing currency because of the degree of its misappropriation in discussions about environment, social justice, economics, and commerce. That development/environment combination became a policy preoccupation and also became the most common theme for entry of the subject of sustainability into the public consciousness, as sustainable development. For much of humanity, there is simply no hope without the prospect of development, so for them, and for those working on their behalf, development becomes the most important policy goal. The operation of that mine puts a harmful pollutant into the local atmosphere, fouls local water resources, exploits people unfairly, disturbs the fabric of local communities, and raises the cost of living for people in the area.
