Sustainability is the use of a resource in ways that neither destroy nor permanently degrade it, and which ensure it is preserved for future generations. Closely related is sustainable development, which entails economic growth that is tied to protection of the environment.

The meaning of sustainability often depends on the context in which it is used. For example, urban sustainability is concerned with issues especially important to cities' high density of people and buildings. Reducing energy consumption through efficient mass transit, reducing automobile traffic, green-building design, and investment in renewable energy conserves resources, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protects future generations from the consequences of climate change. Recycling and environmentally sound solid waste management conserve raw materials and allow future enjoyment of natural areas by reducing pollution.

In the suburbs, curbing the loss of natural areas to sprawling development and road construction through promoting mixed-used development, increasing housing density and redeveloping brownfield sites preserves land and natural habitats. Reducing dependency on automobiles, encouraging public transportation and utilizing energy-efficient, green development conserve energy resources and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Rural sustainability is concerned with sustainable agriculture, environmentally sensitive forest management and the protection of natural resources. Agriculture can protect soil quality and reduce soil erosion through crop rotation, and can use ecologically efficient fertilization and control fertilizer runoff to protect nearby habitats from receiving excess nutrients. These ecologically sensitive agricultural practices help ensure that soil and habitat quality are maintained for future use. Sustainable forest management through conserving forests' biodiversity, regeneration capacity and productivity preserves forest resources.

What is NYLCV Education Fund doing about sustainability?

NYLCV Education Fund believes that sustainability should be an integral part of law, regulation and policy across New York State. New York has achieved a number of key advances in sustainability, including reform of the state's brownfields laws and expansion of the state's net metering law, which allows those who generate electricity from renewable sources to sell it back to the grid. New York City's sustainability agenda, PlaNYC, has made significant progress in advancing its goals, including devoting $80 million to energy efficiency projects and creating a climate change adaptation task force.

However, much work is still needed, and it is critical that sustainability not be set aside during the current economic downturn. NYLCV Education Fund's Policy Agendas for New York State, its cities and its counties outline recommendations that incorporate sustainability into economic growth and development. These recommendations include transportation reform, energy conservation, investment in renewable energy and sustainable solid waste management, among others.

Back to Glossary