Interpretation should include defining sustainability as it relates to cultural and personal philosophies, government policies, business practices, the environment, and natural resources.
Teacher Resources:
Process/Skill Questions:
- What is the simplest way to define sustainability, considering the word can have many permutations?
- What conditions (e.g., economic climate; desire for status symbols; lack of interest, knowledge, or understanding) can be blamed for society’s reluctance to practice sustainability?
- How might one's awareness of sustainability in one aspect of life (e.g., energy consumption) lead to practicing sustainability in other areas (e.g., landscaping)?
- How can intangibles, such as compromised natural resources, effect on future generations, be valued so that economic comparisons can be made to determine the value of investing in sustainability?
- How can sustainability be achieved differently in the first world vs. the third world? Which is more sustainable right now?
- How are the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to current sustainability initiatives?