Appendix A: Definitions of Sustainability

Definitions of Sustainability on the Web:¹⁾

• The ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the ability of future generations to provide for themselves. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out over and over without negative environmental effects or impossibly high costs to anyone involved.—www.sustainabletable.org/intro/dictionary/ 3541
• Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.—www.afsc.org/trade-matters/learn-about/glossary.htm
• The ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes and functions, biological diversity, and productivity over time.—www.umpqua-watersheds.org/glossary/gloss_s.html
• Sustainable development The concept of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The terms originally applied to natural resource situations, where the long term was the focus. Today, it applies to many disciplines, including economic development, environment, food production, energy, and social organization. Basically, sustainability/sustainable development refers to doing something with the long term in mind. …—www.dantes.info/Projectinformation/Glossary/Glossary.html
• A characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained indefinitely.—www.jsdnp.org.jm/glossary.html
• As defined by the US EPA, sustainability refers to the ability of an ecosystem to maintain a defined/desired state of ecological integrity over time.— www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/IPM/ipm_glossary.htm
• An architectural property of a program which allows continued viability.—web.mit.edu/oki/learn/gloss.html
• Economic development that takes full account of the environmental consequences of economic activity and is based on the use of resources that can be replaced or renewed and therefore are not depleted.—biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/noframe/zy198.htm
• Meeting present needs without preventing future generations from meeting their needs.— www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/help/help-glossary.htm
• To keep in existence; maintain. To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for earth—www.planetpals.com/ecodictionary.html
• The degree to which flood and coastal defence solutions avoid tying future generations into flexible and/or expensive options for defence. This will usually include consideration of inter-relationships with other defences and likely developments and processes within a catchment or coastal cell.—www.essex-estuaries.co.uk/glossary.htm
• The use of ecosystems and their resources in a manner that satisfies current needs while allowing them to persist in the long term.— research.amnh.org/biodiversity/symposia/archives/seascapes/glossary.html
• The measure by which a human activity can be continued without relying upon limited resources, such as fossil fuels, or by leaving waste behind, and also giving nature the chance to replenish itself.— www.ecohealth101.org/glossary.html
• the exploration, design, construction, operation and closure of mines in a manner that respects and responds to the social, environmental and economic needs of present generations and anticipates those of future generations in the communities and countries where we work.—www.placerdome.com/educentre/glossary.html
• To keep in existence, to maintain or prolong—www.ifdn.com/teacher/glossary.htm
• Sustainability is effectively the goal of sustainable development. It is the ideal end state which we must aspire.—www.esd.rgs.org/glossarypopup.html
• Sustainable development is the process of conducting business and commerce in a resource conservative and resource efficient manner such that operations do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The essential elements of this trend are the promotion and maintenance of business and community development strategies that lead to a better business environment in the future; one sustained by stable, healthful communities within a clean, safe environment. …—www.mass.gov/epp/info/define.htm
• Use of resources in a manner that allows the resources to be replenished by natural systems, as well avoidance of pollution that damages biological systems. Use of resources in such a manner that they will never be exhausted.—web-savvy.com/river/Schuylkill/glossary.html
• the ability of natural resources to provide ecological, economic, and social benefits for present and future generations.— https://www.uwsp.edu/natres/nres743/Glossary.htm
• (Durabilité)— www.unesco.org/ios/eng/evaluation/tools/outil_02e.htm
• creating new ways to live and prosper while ensuring an equitable, healthy future for all people and the planet (Natural Step website).—www.epa.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/sustainability/industry/sustainability_roadmap/glossary/
• The ability to continue an activity for a long period of time while maintaining diverse, healthy and productive ecosystems.—www.pce.govt.nz/reports/pce_reports_glossary.shtml
• of a fishery must be defined in terms of goals within four separate categories. Together, these science and policy components interact transparently to form a dynamic and adaptive process:—map.mapwise.com/safmc/LinkClick.aspx
• A concept and strategy by which communities seek economic development approaches that benefit the local environment and quality of life. Sustainable development provides a framework under which communities can use resources efficiently, create efficient infrastructures, protect and enhance the quality of life, and create new businesses to strengthen their economies. …—www.ci.austin.tx.us/zoning/glossary.htm
• the property of being sustainable—wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
• Sustainability is an economic, social, and environmental concept. It is intended to be a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society and its members are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals indefinitely. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire planet. …— en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability