British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Sustainable definition

Definition: Sustainable is a term used to describe how resources can be used long-term without depleting them. Humans have a need for certain resources - clothes, food, energy. Energy needs to be reconsidered in terms of sustainability, historically we relied on fossil fuels for energy. Natural sources of fossil fuels like oil would be plundered without thought. They are now depleted and so we are thinking about how to get alternative energy sources for powering our houses, factories, shops etc instead. Taking from the residual fossil fuel fields is no longer sustainable. Newer ideas include using renewable sources like wind turbines. Wind is inexhaustible, it will always be there, so is suitable as a long-term solution to the energy situation, and therefore sustainable.

Farms also need to consider their energy footprint and needs. They need to consider how they affect the environment around their land, and their land itself, maintain and run it so it does not negatively affect the environment, humans or animals living on and around the farmland, like pollution. Crop spraying could be kept to a minimum so there is less risk of run-off polluting the surrounding areas. Humans need to look at how to make food production sustainable, rather than over-producing so that the farm is over-harvested. There needs to be a balance.

Similarly, small animals living on and around the farm in the hedgerows surrounding the fields need to be taken into account when considering the overall sustainability and health of the farm, so it and the living things in it are successful and healthy long-term.