Sustainability is defined as

• A. Short-term profits
• B. Establishing processes benefitting future societies
• C. Maximizing resource use
• D. Reducing costs only

Answer: (B)

Sustainability is a long-term approach that aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The option describing establishing processes benefitting future societies fits this idea best, because it focuses on building enduring systems and practices that support well-being over time rather than chasing short-term gains. It implicitly includes balancing environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability—the idea that actions today should preserve options and resources for tomorrow. The other choices miss this forward-looking, system-wide perspective: prioritizing short-term profits ignores future impacts; maximizing resource use depletes natural capital required for future needs; reducing costs only overlooks environmental and social consequences and the long-term costs those neglect.