INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY
In Rio de Janeiro in 1992, most of the world's countries were represented at a United Nations Conference, to discuss the most important problem facing them all - the future of the Earth.
It was at this 'Earth Summit', that arguably, the most important ever Declaration was drawn up and signed by the assembled Heads of State. It was call 'Agenda 21', and reprsented a strategic action plan to protect the earth's resources, whilst ensuring a fair and balanced lifestyle for all of the people of the world, for now and for the future.
Agenda, because it was a collection of relevant issues, and 21, for the 21st century and beyond. It started as a plan to protect the earth's environment. It soon became apparent, however, that the problems of the environment could not be addressed purely on their own, but that they had to address social equality and economic equity as essential and inter-related components of environmental protection. No person or nation could be expected to care for the environment in a climate of strife or hardship.