{"id":12878,"date":"2016-09-13T22:51:02","date_gmt":"2016-09-13T22:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/course.oeru.org\/csf101\/?page_id=12878"},"modified":"2016-09-13T22:51:02","modified_gmt":"2016-09-13T22:51:02","slug":"how-the-human-social-system-works","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/course.oeru.org\/csf101\/learning-pathways\/defining-sustainability-and-sustainable-development\/how-the-human-social-system-works\/","title":{"rendered":"How the human social system works"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a> <\/p>\n
Japanese town in snow<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

An ecological balance is a prerequisite to a sustainable future because humans, as a living species, have certain basic needs for their survival – food, water, air and protection from the elements. However, a sustainable human society also requires healthy social systems that meet their basic needs. These needs are not only physical, in terms of survival, but also emotional to ensure mental health and well-being.\n<\/p>\n

Elements of social sustainability required for healthy and liveable communities have been described as:\n<\/p>\n