This introduction to sustainable development will help you to gain a quick overview of what sustainable development is and why it is important. You will learn about the growing concern for the future of our interlocked ecological and economic systems in a highly populated world that is characterized by major social disparities. The site contains a timeline of sustainable development history, background material on the most important aspects of the concept, and suggestions for further exploration.

This introduction has been developed by the Sustainable Development Communications Network, including sustainable development organizations from around the world. It reflects the diversity of our experiences and what sustainable development means in practical terms to people in locations ranging from India to Argentina to Canada.