Ecosystems which are threatened by overharvesting and/or overwhelmed by more wastes than can be absorbed lose resilience (ie. the ability to absorb shocks and disturbances) and may suddenly break down and/or settle into a different system with less reilience. There are thresholds at which the levels of stress will lead to the disruption of the system. One concept used to understand critical limits and thresholds is carrying capacity which assumes that there are a finite number of people who can be supported without degrading the natural environment.
This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.