Photo by Alex KubalaThe Baha'is of the United States have worked with other organizations to advance sustainable development since 1990, when preparations began for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Though the term "sustainable development" is relatively recent, Baha'is have always supported the concept. Sustainable development has been described as "development that meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."

Baha’i teachings stress that sustainable development depends on humanity’s acceptance of ethical and spiritual principles that foster economic, social and environmental well being. Pivotal among those principles is the oneness of humanity.

"The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens….
The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable, unless and until its unity is firmly established." —Baha'u'llah