sustainable
Able to continue
In modern usage sustainable has become a label for products and practices that ensure the continued availability of resources, with little or no impact on environmental health: The greatest advocates of sustainable agriculture are often those with the least influence.
In contexts where the environment is not implied, sustainable means able to be maintained: Zambia is trying to develop a model of sustainable economic growth.
Resistant to obsolescence
- forward-thinkingAnticipating future needs
- planningArranging for future events
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
vision · legacy · continuity · intergenerational · multigenerational · perpetual · ongoing · indefinite
Not harming the environment
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- recyclableCapable of being remade
- recycledConverted waste into material
upcycled · organic · non-toxic · low-impact · eco-conscious · carbon-neutral · permaculture · conservation
Capable of restoration
- solarOf the star
- windAir current outdoors
- hydroWater combining form
- geothermalRelating to underground heat
biomass · tidal · photovoltaic · off-grid · energy-efficient · carbon-free · net-zero · decentralized
Capable of being done
- practicalSuited for real use
- workableAble to be implemented
- achievableAble to be accomplished
- realisticTrue to life
attainable · manageable · maintainable · scalable · self-sufficient · cost-effective · profitable · tenable
Continuing through time
- enduringPersisting through time
- durableAble to withstand use
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- robustStrong and durable
long-lasting · sturdy · reliable · persistent · continual · stable · hardwearing · hard-wearing
State of balance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
- moderationAvoidance of excess
proportionality · consistency · steadiness · integration · reciprocity · equitable · holistic · systemic
future-proof
Resistant to obsolescence
- forward-thinkingAnticipating future needs
- planningArranging for future events
- strategyPlanned approach to goals
foresight · vision · legacy · continuity · intergenerational · multigenerational · perpetual · ongoing · indefinite · prosperity
eco-friendly
Not harming the environment
- biodegradableAble to decompose naturally
- compostableAble to decompose naturally
- recyclableCapable of being remade
recycled · upcycled · organic · non-toxic · low-impact · eco-conscious · carbon-neutral · permaculture · conservation · stewardship
renewable
Capable of restoration
geothermal · biomass · tidal · photovoltaic · off-grid · energy-efficient · carbon-free · net-zero · decentralized · low-carbon
feasible
Capable of being done
- practicalSuited for real use
- workableAble to be implemented
- achievableAble to be accomplished
realistic · attainable · manageable · maintainable · scalable · self-sufficient · cost-effective · profitable · tenable · operational
lasting
Continuing through time
robust · long-lasting · sturdy · reliable · persistent · continual · stable · hardwearing · hard-wearing · wear-resistant
equilibrium
State of balance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- homeostasisBiological internal stability maintenance
moderation · proportionality · consistency · steadiness · integration · reciprocity · equitable · holistic · systemic · interconnected
- buzzwordssynergy, leverage, paradigm, stakeholder, scalable
- homesteadinghomesteading, self-sufficiency, off-grid living, off-grid, chicken coop
- lifestylessimple living, city life, family life, minimalism, rural life
- eco labelscertified organic, Energy Star, eco-label, organic, fair trade
- artisan winemakingnatural wine, biodynamic, organic, small batch, hand harvesting
- environmentair pollution, ecology, clean air, biosphere, air quality
sustainableunsustainable
Cannot be maintained indefinitely
extractive · wasteful · destructive · polluting · exploitative
sustainableunsustainable
Cannot be maintained indefinitely
untenable · unmaintainable · depleting · nonsustainable · short-lived
sustainableuntenable
Impossible to maintain
indefensible · unjustifiable · unsupportable · insupportable · unsound
- environmental sustainabilityMaintaining natural systems indefinitely
- sustainable woodEthically sourced timber
- sustainable housingDwellings minimizing environmental harm
- sustainable energyInexhaustible, eco-friendly power sources
- sustainable growthContinuable long-term expansion
- sustainable livingLifestyle minimizing environmental harm
unsustainable, sustainability, sustainably, sustainable development, sustainable agriculture, unsustainability