Final answer:
Sustainability (option 1) refers to using methods and materials that preserve resources and don't harm natural cycles. It involves practices that ensure our current needs are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of methods, systems, and materials that won't deplete resources or harm natural cycles is known as sustainability. This concept focuses on sustainable use of resources, which means using a natural resource in a manner that satisfies current needs while also preserving the resource for future generations.
Sustainability ensures that we meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (sustainable development).
Adopting a sustainable approach might include strategies such as conserving resources, innovating with energy efficiency, creating renewable energy solutions, and advocating for greener policies.
Notably, major companies have adopted practices that reflect this sustainability ethos by creating products that last longer, are free of hazardous substances, and by reducing environmental impacts across their operations.
Overall, a sustainable ethic reflects both the anthropocentric view of preserving resources for human use and the biocentric view of maintaining ecological balance.
As part of sustainability, practices such as ecotourism have emerged, which aim to support conservation efforts and preserve biodiversity. Sustainability is a critical principle in environmental ethics and is essential for the health and continuity of both human societies and the planet's ecosystems.