Modern Principle of Sustainability

Sustainability is multidimensional in that it necessarily includes social and economic value dimensions in addition to environmental value dimensions. To establish and maintain sustainability within any aspect of life one must consider all three value dimensions simultaneously. To give attention to one without giving attention to the other may potentially compromise the system as a whole which may then inhibit any potential for sustainability.



Dimensions of Sustainability

Now, having said that, there is certainly nothing wrong with focusing on one value dimension provided it does not come at the expense of another. Green, for example, is primarily thought of as an environmental concern. It is very easy to get caught up in that way of thinking and to forget that there are also social and economic aspects of green.

Social value: healthier home environments leads to healthier people which leads to healthier communities
Economic value: lower operating costs, greater home value, longer economic value lifecycle
Environmental value: less pollution, energy efficient and better use of natural resources.