Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It involves using resources in a way that preserves and protects them for long-term use.
These are natural resources that can be replenished or regenerated over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and forests.
Non-renewable Resources: These are natural resources that cannot be replenished within a human lifespan, such as fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and minerals.