Sustainability: GCSE Geography Definition
Written by: Jacque Cartwright
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Published
Read time
2 minutes
What is sustainability?
In GCSE geography, a resource, process or condition is sustainable if it can be maintained at a certain level for as long as it is needed both now and in the future.
The most popular definition was presented in 1987 by the UN Brundtland Commission as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (United Nations, 2023).
Sustainability can relate to economic, environmental and social contexts.
A country, region, or corporation has to be able to boost its economy without hurting its people, culture, or environment to be economically sustainable.
Most people think of sustainability in terms of the environment, notably the use of precious metals and energy resources, which will run out eventually. However, environmental sustainability includes animals, plants, oceans, atmosphere, soil, etc. Since all life is interconnected, any disruption or alteration in one can affect all others in a cascading effect.
Because there is no single agreed definition, social sustainability is generally the least talked about. But it is about how economic and natural factors need to be managed so that people can live healthy and happy lives.
Sustainability Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams
Why not use the Save My Exams flashcards and exam questions to revise the process of sustainability and related processes?
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