sustainability
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sustainability
A principle of action in which resources are used only in such a way that they can regenerate and ecological, social, and economic balance is preserved in the long term.
Viele Unternehmen setzen heute auf Nachhaltigkeit in ihrer Produktion.
Many companies today focus on sustainability in their production.
lasting effect
In a broader sense, the quality of having a long-lasting or profound effect.
Die Reformen hatten nicht die erhoffte Nachhaltigkeit und wurden bald wieder geändert.
The reforms did not have the hoped-for lasting effect and were soon changed again.
The word is derived from the adjective 'nachhaltig' (sustainable). This consists of 'nach' and 'halten' (to hold). The idea is that an effect 'anhält' (lasts) for a long time. The ending '-keit' turns it into an abstract noun.
Die Nachhaltigkeit von Bildungsinvestitionen zeigt sich erst nach Jahren.
The sustainability of investments in education only becomes apparent after years.
In an ecological context, 'Nachhaltigkeit' (sustainability) is often used with verbs such as 'fördern' (to promote), 'umsetzen' (to implement), or 'achten auf' (to pay attention to). Adjectives such as 'ökologische' (ecological), 'soziale' (social), and 'ökonomische' (economic) sustainability are also very common.
Wir müssen bei unseren Entscheidungen mehr auf Nachhaltigkeit achten.
We need to pay more attention to sustainability in our decisions.
'Nachhaltigkeit' (sustainability) is a central concept in current political, economic, and social discussions. The word is frequently used in formal and specialized contexts.
Das Thema Nachhaltigkeit dominiert die politische Agenda.
The topic of sustainability dominates the political agenda.
You can recognize this more general meaning by the fact that it is not about ecology, but about the long-term effect of measures, decisions, or reforms. Often, the 'fehlende Nachhaltigkeit' (lack of lasting effect) is criticized.
Die kurzfristigen Erfolge hatten keine echte Nachhaltigkeit.
The short-term successes had no real lasting effect.
steadfastness / resistance
Both words can refer to something that continues to have an effect or exist over a long period. Nachhaltigkeit emphasizes the long-term effect, while Beständigkeit focuses more on consistent reliability and unchanged continuation. Use Nachhaltigkeit for the consequences of a measure, and Beständigkeit for its constant quality or direction.
Die Nachhaltigkeit des neuen Lernprogramms zeigt sich daran, dass die Kinder auch Monate später noch davon profitieren.
The sustainability of the new learning program is evident from the fact that the children are still benefiting from it months later.
Die Beständigkeit des Lernprogramms zeigt sich daran, dass es jeden Monat zuverlässig nach denselben Grundsätzen durchgeführt wird.
The consistency of the learning program is evident from the fact that it is reliably carried out according to the same principles every month.
