Which of the following best describes environmental sustainability?

The concept of environmental sustainability is fundamentally centered around the idea of maintaining ecological integrity and preserving biodiversity. This definition emphasizes the importance of protecting natural ecosystems and the variety of life forms they support. It highlights that for human societies and economies to thrive in the long term, they must do so in a manner that does not deplete natural resources or harm the environment.

When we consider maintaining ecological integrity, it involves ensuring that ecosystems can continue to function and provide essential services such as clean air and water, pollination, and climate regulation, all of which are vital for human survival. Preserving biodiversity is equally crucial since it contributes to the resilience of ecosystems, enabling them to adapt to changes and stresses, such as climate change.

In contrast, options that focus on economic growth at all costs, maximizing resource consumption, or innovating technologies without limits do not prioritize the balance needed for sustainability. These approaches may lead to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and resource depletion, which ultimately undermine the very systems that must be sustained for future generations. Thus, maintaining ecological integrity and preserving biodiversity is at the core of the environmental sustainability concept.