Mission

Our mission is to foster a culture of sustainability in cities, colleges, and businesses.

Sustainable Works Purpose

Sustainable Works exists to manifest the concepts of sustainability and the actions associated with living a sustainable lifestyle into the daily activities of individuals, institutions and businesses. We accomplish this by providing hands-on, interactive, educational experiences, serving as a liaison between governments, institutions, businesses and individuals and fostering community development. We turn knowledge into actions that improve quality of life by promoting sustainable practices in the urban environment. Our goal is to ensure a just society, a clean and healthy environment and a vibrant economy for present and future generations.

What Is Sustainability?

Sustainability can mean slightly different things depending on the context in which it is used. The United Nations' World Commission on Environment and Development Report, Our Common Future , first defined the term sustainable development as: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." Since then many definitions have emerged. Other interesting definitions are listed below:

Meeting current needs - environmental, economic and social - without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same.
Sustainable City Plan, Santa Monica 

Improving the quality of life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.
Sharing Nature's Interest, Mathis Wackernagel

Long-term cultural, economic, and environmental health and vitality.
Sustainable Seattle

The integration of economic prosperity, environmental health and social equity into viable systems, which will function effectively in our common future.
UCLA GSA

Sustainability is characterized by an emphasis on preserving the environment, developing strong peaceful relationships between people and nations, and an emphasis on equitable distribution of wealth.
Coop America

a) A method of harvesting or using a resource so that resource is not depleted or permanently damaged . b) Of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods.
Webster's Dictionary

Sustainability is related to the quality of life in a community -- whether the economic, social and environmental systems that make up the community are providing a healthy, productive, meaningful life for all community residents, present and future.
Sustainable Measures

Sustainable business: a business that provides goods and services, and/or has incorporated into its daily operations practices that result in cleaner air and water, less waste and pollution, conservation of energy and natural resources, less traffic, improved quality of life for residents and workers, and contribute to a strong and viable local economy.
Sustainable City Plan, Santa Monica