Our Environment Contents

4. Resources

It remains open to question whether weak sustainability or strong sustainability better safeguards the interests of future generations

On the one hand it can be argued that strong sustainability provides the stronger safeguard, as it embodies a precautionary principle. On the other hand, it can be argued that the costs committed to implementing the precautionary principle require a redirection of resources which could be better spent elsewhere in the economy. This in turn stifles development and the rate of accumulation of technological capital that could benefit future generations.

Which do you think is the more appropriate principle: weak sustainability or strong sustainability?