Sustainability can be defined as the ability to maintain healthy environmental, social and economic systems in balance, indefinitely, on a global and local scale.
The spheres of sustainability can be conceptualised as having a nested relationship (Figure 1), with the economy and society a subset of the environment.
Culture is often included as a fourth circle or a subset of society.
The economy is much broader than the regular monetary economy, and includes:
- an exchange of goods and services within and between communities, with
- a focus on the equitable distribution of scarce resources
- at a sustainable scale.
Water
- Water Harvesting
- Reuse of bath and shower water for toilets
- Rain and storm water
Electricity
- Energy Harvesting
- Solar Panels
- LED Lighting
Waste
- Packaged Sewage Treatment Plant
- Recycling
Gas
Gardens
- Compost
- Vegetable
- Vegetation