What Are We Talking About, Anyway?

Several people have asked me about my site because I started with two posts about cars. I like talking about cars but there are many other topics to address when it comes to sustainability. So for those not as familiar with the term I'll give a quick refresher. When we discuss sustainability we are usually talking about something that can or cannot continue. The recent debates about federal or state budgets are a case in point. Overspending catches up to you later and someone has to pay the bill. Whether it's about the environment or something else that can be depleted by overuse the outcome is the same. Using too much of something and not putting back or giving time to replenish can't continue.

In the case of money, we continue to borrow  and hope that our children will forgive us when the bill comes due. If talking about oil, we hope we can find more before we run out and hope that future generations will solve the damage to the environment or find substitutes. When we damage our environment we hope that our grandchildren will remember to use more sunscreen or find cheaper ways to desalinate ocean water.

In its broadest terms "Sustainability" means finding ways to meet our current needs without screwing our children out of their future. Whether it's money, energy or education you can't continue to make withdrawals without deposits somewhere down the line.