The Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as "an attempt to provide the best outcomes for the human and natural environments both now and into the indefinite future". It is a system that tries to balance the needs of current societies without impacting the future of the planet.
The biggest issue is that what one person or societies needs do not match others. In turn what is sustainable for one person or group is NOT for another. My field of study is communication and one of the biggest things we learn is to not impose our views onto other cultures and societies. In Interracial/ Intercultural communication we discussed how different societies have different views of "normal". I believe the same can be applied to "sustainable".
It seems like such a small thing, but I wouldn't be okay with not having running water or a tap. There are plenty of people who would consider it a luxury. Are faucets sustainable? Is my way of life sustainable? For everyone, probably not.
What I've gotten out of the sustainability piece is a sense of gratitude for my way of life. Also, a realization that I'm not prepared to give it up and an all or nothing approach would not work.
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