What is sustainable development?

• A. Meeting present needs without compromising future; example: renewable energy subsidies.
• B. Maximizing current profits regardless of future impact.
• C. Preserving nature by halting all economic activity.
• D. Expanding resource extraction now to boost growth.

Answer: (A)

Sustainable development means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by balancing economic activity, environmental protection, and social well-being. The option that frames sustainable development as ensuring current needs are met in a way that doesn’t deplete resources or harm the environment, with an example like renewable energy subsidies, best captures this idea. It shows investing in cleaner, renewable sources now to support today’s energy needs while preserving resources and reducing long-term damage, which keeps options open for the future.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: pursuing maximum profits without regard to future impact ignores long-term consequences; stopping all economic activity to protect nature is neither practical nor what sustainable development aims for; and expanding resource extraction now ignores the need to conserve resources for future use.