sustainability etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The term "sustainability" originates from the Latin verb "sustinere," meaning "to hold up," "to uphold," or "to endure." It has evolved to encompass the concept of "maintaining something over a period of time."

Origins

The concept of sustainability has been discussed for centuries, but it gained significant attention in the early 20th century during the conservation movement. In 1987, the United Nations' Brundtland Commission published the report "Our Common Future," which defined sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." This definition has become widely adopted and serves as the foundation for most modern sustainability frameworks.

Key Aspects of Sustainability

Sustainability generally encompasses three interconnected pillars:

• Environmental sustainability: Preserving the Earth's natural resources and ecosystems for future generations.
• Social sustainability: Promoting social equity, justice, and well-being for all members of society.
• Economic sustainability: Ensuring a prosperous economy that provides financial security and supports the other pillars of sustainability.

Intergenerational Dimension

One of the defining characteristics of sustainability is its intergenerational dimension. It emphasizes the responsibility of the current generation to make decisions that do not jeopardize the well-being of future generations. This requires considering the long-term consequences of our actions and ensuring that we leave a habitable planet for those who come after us.

sustainability relate terms

• sustainable

  Etymology sus Latin Meaning up from below or thoroughly tenere Latin Meanin

• sustain

  Etymology Latin sustinēre to hold up sustain endure Proto Indo European steh₂

• property

  Etymology The word property originates from the Old French word propreté which in

• requirement

  Etymology Derived from the Latin word requisitio meaning a seeking search demand

• generation

  Etymology The word generation comes from the Latin word generatio which means a beg

• manage

  Etymology Definition The study of the origin and history of words Origin Greek et

• resource

  Etymology The word resource is derived from the Old French recours which means a g

• base

  Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

• such

  Etymology Etymology refers to the study of the origin history and development of words

• that

  Etymology is the study of word origins It involves investigating the historical developme