What is Sustainability, Anyway?

Excerpt

It's actually way past time for an issue of the Interceram on the subject of sustainability. After all, it is the task of the modern age. 'Sustainability' is a magic word, so to speak, because when the term comes up, one is guaranteed attention. It is accompanied by a cloud of buzzwords from which the words 'environmental compatibility', 'resources', and 'greenhouse gas emissions' certainly stand out. So far so good. But as we are planning the issue, it becomes apparent: Sustainability is more than just a term. It comprises concepts, strategies, countless goals in a wide variety of fields, and in fact it has been around for more than 300 years. Originally applied to forestry, sustainability means "cutting only as much wood as can be regrown". So what meaning does it have in the ceramics industry? A single issue of Interceram cannot possibly claim to be comprehensive here. But it can provide an overview and highlight the facts from various perspectives. …