IB Environmental systems and societies 1.3A Sustainability and Its Pillars Key Definitions

Economic sustainability refers to the development of economic structures and systems that allow for the long-term production and consumption of goods and services in a way that meets human needs without depleting natural resources or causing irreversible environmental damage.

Environmental sustainability refers to the use and management of natural resources in a way that ensures they can be replenished, and ecosystems can recover and regenerate over time.

Social sustainability refers to the development and maintenance of structures and systems that support human well-being, ensuring that societies remain stable, inclusive, and resilient over time.

A strong sustainability model is a sustainability model that depicts the environment as a foundation that supports both society and the economy.

Sustainability is the natural capacity of ecosystems to maintain equilibrium between resource inputs and waste outputs while continuing to support life.

A weak sustainability model is a sustainability model that shows overlapping relationships between the three pillars: environment, society, and economy.