sustainable development

"Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs". (Brundtland Report, 1987)