sustainability
suh-stay-nuh-BIL-ih-tee
/səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; avoidance of the depletion of natural resources.
In supply chains, it refers to both environmental health and the long-term economic viability of the farmers.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'sustinere', meaning 'to hold up' or 'to support'. It was used for centuries to mean 'enduring' before becoming the defining environmental term of the 21st century.
Word relationships
- viability: Viability is the ability to work or survive; sustainability is the ability to continue without exhausting resources.
- depletion: The act of using up resources until they are gone.
Commonly confused with
- durability: Durability is how long an object lasts; sustainability is how long a system can function.
Word family
- sustainable (adjective): Able to be maintained.
- sustain (verb): To support or keep going.
Collocations
- environmental sustainability
- sustainable development
- sustainability report
Example sentences
- "The long-term sustainability of the fishing industry depends on strict catch limits." Environmental policy.
- "Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainability in the production of palm oil." Corporate social responsibility.
Memory hook
The 'ABILITY' to 'SUSTAIN' (keep going). Sustainability is 'forever-farming'.
When not to use
Avoid using it as a buzzword for 'good'; it specifically means something that can last indefinitely without causing harm.
Fun facts
- The term 'sustainable development' was first popularized by the UN's 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
- Engineering & Industrial Design → Biomimicry in Design
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Corporate Social Responsibility
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Disaster Mitigation & Resilience
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Veganism & Plant-Based Diets
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Food Waste & Overconsumption
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