sorting trash for recyclablesThe most common definition of sustainability is that the current generation is able to meet its needs without sacrificing the ability of future generations to do the same.  There are environmental, economic, and social aspects to sustainability and these three aspects are interdependent. In the business world, this is known as the triple-bottom-line: people, profit, and the planet. 

Defining, let alone meeting our needs, is a complex task.  Across generations our needs will change, making sustainability more guiding aspiration than a fixed and achievable condition.  For this reason, we have entitled our program Pathways to Sustainability.  As an institution of higher education we hope to always be on a path toward sustainability, always learning and gaining a better understanding of how to create a positive future for the world.  

Because sustainability involves environmental, economic and social factors, pursuing it as a goal will involve all aspects of campus life.  Sustainability provides a holistic framework for addressing the issues facing our campus and the world with a determined eye toward the impacts of our decisions on future generations.

Sustainability is a core commitment of Fort Lewis College and is integral to a liberal arts education. We have two commitments mapping the way for Fort Lewis College into a sustainable future. Read our Environmental Policy statement here.