Sustainability is an objective concept

Sustainability is defined as the use of the vital functions (possible uses) of our biophysical surroundings in such a way that they remain indefinitel y available. This situation can be established scientifically. Consequently , sustainability is an objective concept to the extent that natural science is objective. The objective description of sustainable use of functions an d the subjective preferences for such a use-the question whether or not we want to achieve such use-should be sharply distinguished. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.