OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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What is the definition of sustainability?

Utilizing resources at maximum capacity
Meeting the needs of people today without damaging the environment for future generations
Exclusively using renewable resources
Prioritizing economic growth over environmental protection

The correct answer is: Meeting the needs of people today without damaging the environment for future generations

Sustainability is defined as meeting the needs of people today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This concept emphasizes the balance between environmental health, economic viability, and social equity. By ensuring that resources are used in a way that does not degrade the environment or deplete resources, sustainability aims to create a long-term equilibrium that supports human life and natural ecosystems. The other options do not fully encapsulate the essence of sustainability. Utilizing resources at maximum capacity may lead to overconsumption and unintended environmental consequences. Exclusively using renewable resources implies a limitation that does not address all aspects of sustainable practice, which can include a mix of both renewable and non-renewable resources as long as they are managed responsibly. Prioritizing economic growth over environmental protection often leads to short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability, which contradicts the fundamental principle of sustaining ecological balance for future generations.