As the consequences on human impacts have increased dramatically, scientists, economists, and government leaders worldwide realized that they must address the reality of ecological damage and finite resources.  The idea and practice of "act locally, think globally" resulted in part from important international meetings focusing on the environment and the need for cooperation among nations regarding quality of life issues, economic development, the use of resources, and land use practices. 

The role of education and public awareness in addressing these issues is seen as vitally important.  According to the International Conference on Environment and Society, this new vision is one in which education is no longer seen as an objective in and of itself, but as a means to bring about changes in behavior and lifestyles, to disseminate knowledge and develop skills, and to prepare the public to support changes towards sustainability.  This vision is reflected in a new international consensus and framework for action that has emerged from a series of international conferences which began in 1972 with the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which put environment on the international agenda for the first time.

By 1983 the relationship between economic development and its impact on the environment had become the focus of the U.N. World Commission on Environment and Development, known as the Brundtland Commission.  This organization was the first to introduce and popularize the definition of sustainability and called for strategies integrating environment and development.

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

A series of international conferences and organizations have since followed that promote sustainability concepts and practices which strive to create a future with a healthy environment, a viable economy, and adequate human well being in functioning communities.  These include the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit (1992) and the President's Council on Sustainable Development (1993), also referred to as the PCSD.

This group examined the consequences of choices this generation makes on the lives of future generations.  According to the PCSD, the impacts on human health, livelihoods, and international peace underscore the seriousness of these challenges.  Through their research and meetings across the country, they developed a strategy for sustainable development that includes the following components:

• an unprecedented degree of international cooperation
  
• an understanding of the global forces that affect human lives
  
• empowerment of students to become responsible citizens