Why sustainability matters
Humankind is using about 30% more natural resources than the earth can replace and, if consumption continues at the same rate, in 35 years we will need the equivalent of two planets to maintain our lifestyles. In the UK, people are consuming three times their fair share of the planet's resources (source: WWF). Consider too that the United Nations estimates that for every three people on the planet in 2010, there will be four by 2050.
In contrast, global populations of other species have declined by one third in the last 30 years, due to human pressures such as pollution, habitat destruction and overexploitation. Also, the United Nations Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that human activities (especially forest clearance and the burning of fossil fuels) are the main cause of recent global warming and climate change. A hotter world with more extreme weather events and less available fresh water will be a much less hospitable place for all the earth's species, including our own.
Even though humankind completely depends on a healthy natural environment and a favourable climate, the evidence tells us that the ways in which we live, work and consume are failing to respect the planet's limitations. We need to live much more within our means, or face very serious consequences. The good news is that the balance of nature can still be restored and, in the process, so can our human quality of life as well as the global economy. But this needs all of us to work together urgently to bring environmental, social and economic considerations more into balance.
A sustainable borough is one where our ways of living and working are constantly being reshaped to make sure that we are addressing environmental concerns and achieving fairness and equality. At the same time, we make sure that our commerce and business doesn't add to the environmental and social challenges we face, but helps to resolve them. We take full advantage of the economic and employment opportunities being created by the pressing global need to do things differently.
Achieving sustainable development couldn't be more important. That's why it's one of the five guiding principles of Wigan’s Community Strategy (external link) and a priority for both Wigan Council and Wigan’s Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) (external link).
More sustainability information
