Chapter 2 - Standards of Sustainability

Part 2 - Methods and Markers for Sustainability

For the past several decades, we have come together to map out the methods and markers needed to sustain our common future. The population and environmental challenges we face, beg our attention. Trans-boundary needs will require trans-boundary creativity, and the transfer of ideas and actions, as we score the successes and the failures in meeting the challenges that are upon us. An unplanned future is full of risk, and good ideas can change a negative trajectory. A global partnership in meeting the needs of our common future, can help all nations to a safer and more prosperous tomorrow.

Sultan bin Salman Al-Saud, was an astronaut on the space shuttle Discovery in 1985. At age twenty-eight, he carried the distinction of being the youngest astronaut ever. Of his experience and his international crewmates he wrote:
"The first day or so, we all pointed to our countries. The third or fourth day, we were pointing to our continents. By the fifth day, we were aware of only one Earth."