Final answer:
The Bruntland Commission defines sustainable development as the ability to fulfill the needs of the present without compromising future generations' needs. It involves a sustainable use of resources and a commitment to a process of continuous improvement for long-term stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bruntland Commission defines sustainable development as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept emphasizes the sustainable use of natural resources in a way that preserves these resources for future generations, therefore supporting a balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being.
It is not a fixed state but a process that requires continual adjustment and improvement in terms of resource exploitation, technological development, and institutional change. According to the National Resource Council (NRC, 1999), engineers and other professionals have an obligation to consider sustainability in their work, ensuring that human needs are met in a way that protects the planet's resources, including cultural and natural diversity.
The ultimate goal of sustainable development is to create a framework that accommodates progress and innovation within the limits of our natural environment, thus allowing humanity and the planet to thrive together.