sustainability
suh-stay-nuh-BIL-it-ee
/səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; avoidance of the depletion of natural resources.
In design, it refers to the 'circular economy' where materials are reused and energy is conserved.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'sustinere,' meaning 'to hold up.' It originally referred to physical support, like a pillar holding up a roof, before becoming a metaphor for environmental balance.
Word relationships
- viability: Viability is the ability to work; sustainability is the ability to keep working forever without running out of resources.
- depletion: The act of using up resources until none remain.
Commonly confused with
- durability: Durability is how long an object lasts; sustainability is how long the process of making it can last.
Word family
- sustainable (adjective): Able to be maintained.
- sustain (verb): To support or keep going.
Collocations
- environmental sustainability
- long-term sustainability
- sustainability goals
Example sentences
- "The ultimate goal of biomimicry is to achieve sustainability by creating designs that fit into the Earth's ecosystem." Discussing the core goal of biomimicry.
Memory hook
Sustain-Ability: The Ability to Sustain life on Earth. Keeping it going forever.
When not to use
Avoid using as a buzzword for anything 'green'; it specifically requires long-term viability.
Fun facts
- The term 'sustainable development' was first popularized by the Brundtland Report in 1987.
Related words
Explore more words
sustainable, sustain, unsustainable, stewardship, overconsumption, regenerative
Also appears in
- Business → Business Ethics & Compliance
- Technology → Ecology & Climate Science
- Nature → Ecology & Ecosystems
- Nature → Urban Environmental Planning
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Corporate Social Responsibility
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Disaster Mitigation & Resilience
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Agricultural Supply Chains
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Veganism & Plant-Based Diets
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Food Waste & Overconsumption
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