The World Commission of Environment and Development defined sustainable development in a report titled Our Common Future as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This definition implies that there are limits to the amount of available resources and the ability of the earth to absorb human activity. Such confines require the restructuring of our consumption habits to ensure a healthy life and earth for future generations.

Around the globe there are signs that our current way of life is unsustainable: smog, disappearing wildlife habitats, melting icebergs, overflowing landfills, eroded soil, starving people, and more. There is no better time than now to begin adjusting our behavior.