Sustainable meaning in English

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Definition

sustainable: durable, able to continue or last for a very long time (without using up resources) adjective

Examples

"Although the notoriety of the local food movement is increasing, even lending such buzzwords as "food patriotism" (strong belief in sustainable local food chains) and "locavore" (one who eats only local products) to the lexicon, some remain unconvinced that the local food movement is all it's cracked up to be."
"But with cork's drop in popularity, Mediterranean cork forests, rich in wildlife, are being cut down to make way for less sustainable land uses, such as cattle farming."

Exercise 1

"...it will be light, durable and won't corrode..."

Which of the following could be described as being "durable"? There may be more than one possible answer.

A friendship between a man and an elephant that lasts for 60 years.

A winter coat made of strong and resistant fabric that can be worn for many years without being damaged.

A pizza that can be kept in the freezer for 5 years.

A forest that provides wood, but is maintained at a steady level without ever being exhausted.

"...it will be light, durable and won't corrode..."

Which of the following could be described as being "durable"? There may be more than one possible answer.

A friendship between a man and an elephant that lasts for 60 years.

This is a correct choice. A friendship or relationship can be described as being "durable" if it is robust and long-lasting. Example: They have a very DURABLE marriage that has overcome many difficulties.

A winter coat made of strong and resistant fabric that can be worn for many years without being damaged.

This is a correct choice. If a material is "durable", it is "strong", "lasting" and "resistant". Example: These car tyres are more expensive but very DURABLE - you won't need to replace them for a long time. In the conversation, Jackson Bollocks says that one of the reasons the statue should be made out of titanium is because it is a durable metal that is solid and long-lasting.

A pizza that can be kept in the freezer for 5 years.

This is an incorrect choice. The term "durable" is not used to describe food. Food that lasts a long time without decaying or turning bad is usually described as being "nonperishable" or as having a "long shelf life".

A forest that provides wood, but is maintained at a steady level without ever being exhausted.

This is an incorrect choice. In English, "durable" is not used as a synonym of "sustainable". The term "durable" is not used to describe resources that are replenished at a rate equal to, or greater than, the rate of consumption; neither is "durable" used to describe the use of natural products and energy in a way that does not harm the environment.

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