No matter what you call it—sustainability or resilience, even thrivability—there are a few key elements that always arise. It’s not just about ecology and natural systems, although those are the foundations. Here’s the skeletal framework for how we think about it…

• ecology: ecoliteracy (understanding how nature works) and protecting, restoring and coexisting with the natural systems around us
• energy: carbon neutrality, people powered transport, renewable energy, energy conservation
• material efficiency: reduction, recycling, reuse, local sourcing
• the public realm: public or community places, public transport
• food systems: organic agriculture, urban agriculture
• diversity: gender, race and other social markers
• equity: improved income equality, fair trade, equal opportunity
• distributed systems that are diverse and adaptable: for water and energy infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, services
• health and happiness: spiritual, physical, and mental. Sometimes tied to a person’s sense of capability (having, doing, being, interacting) and fulfillment of human needs for subsistence, protection, affection, understanding, participation, leisure, creativity, identity, and freedom
• cultural systems and heritage: collaborative consumption, social capital, sharing economy, places of distinction, localism, the slow movement, and more