5.12 Introduction to Sustainability

Explain the concept of sustainability.

• Sustainability refers to humans living on Earth and their use of resources without depletion of the resources for future generations. Environmental indicators that can guide humans to sustainability include biological diversity, food production, average global surface temperatures and CO₂ concentrations, human population, and resource depletion.
• Sustainable yield is the amount of a renewable resource that can be taken without reducing the available supply.
• Enduring understanding STB-1: Humans can mitigate their impact on land and water resources through sustainable use.