The word ‘sustainability’ is mostly thrown around in many discussions, particularly in environmental talks. Sadly, not many people today are certain about the true meaning of sustainability, no wonder there are different perceptions and ideas of the same term. Generally, the etymology of the term sustainable combines Latin words that mean to support from below. Majority of dictionaries today define the term ‘sustainability’ as the capability to progress with an action without the risk of collapse or failure. This definition is a true sustainability assessment.

Cutting of trees is not considered as sustainable as the action strips the area of trees which are irreplaceable and at the same time exposes the area to extra repercussions such as erosion, as the earth gets exposed. A strong building is thought to be sustainable, as it is able to support up a load for an indefinite period of time. In the environment business, the word sustainability means that an action can be carried on for an indefinite period of time with very little or controllable effect on the environment.

Since the health of the society is closely related to the health of the environment, the environment business encourage sustainable practices that will ensure that the resources on earth will still be available for the future generations to enjoy them, on a safe and healthy earth to enjoy them on. It is because of this that a lot of companies today focus on sustainability, where some take corporate sustainability as a mission while other companies become sustainability consultants.

Sustainability as an environmental concept dates back to the 1700s when many forests started facing a crisis because of logging. Concerned authorities, together with environmentalists and foresters realized the need to manage timber with more care whereby trees needed to be replanted after every significant logging. It is due to the cooperative forces that came together that many forests were restored, particularly in Germany, and this is where the idea of sustainability (Nachhaltigkeit) was born.

People who harvested timber understood the fact that if their actions progressed with no effort to replant the timbers, the forests will disappear with time. During the 20^th century, environmentalists and scientists started to realize that for humans to survive on earth, they needed to be made aware of their surroundings. Additionally, it was clearly understood that the world is a close-knit ecosystem where damage to one area of the earth can negatively impact another part of the earth.

Consequently, human beings are encouraged to work in harmony to foster sustainability and reduce its negative effect on the globe. This is where such things as individual and cooperate sustainability are encouraged. The main aim of sustainability is to create equilibrium between the needs of the environment and those of the human societies, maintaining both for all the creatures to utilize and enjoy. As such, sustainability encourages the preservation of unique ecosystems, promotion of biodiversity, environmental health, and above all else superior quality human life.