What does “sustainable” really mean?

If everyone on Earth lived like North Americans, humanity would need four more of these (NASA)

By most accounts, our relationship with the planet could almost be described as parasitic – we use its resources for our own benefit, causing it harm. We live without much regard to its overall health, and since humanity will not be leaving colonizing distant planets anytime soon, we will never stop affecting the planet’s health. [...]

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

A Plastic Island in the Pacific

  In 1997, returning to California from Hawaii after completing the annual Transpacific Yacht Race, oceanographer Charles J. Moore and his crew aboard the Alguita made a startling discovery. Veering off course in an isolated stretch of the Pacific Ocean to investigate, the sea captain found traces of civilization surrounding his vessel. “Every time I [...]