In a manner that cannot be continued at the same rate or level into the future; in a way that depletes resources or damages the environment or the economic system, leading to eventual collapse or significant negative consequences. This often involves the overuse of resources, the generation of excessive waste, or the imposition of burdens on future generations. It implies a short-sighted approach that prioritizes immediate gains over long-term viability and ecological balance.
Unsustainably meaning with examples
- The company was harvesting timber unsustainably, clear-cutting vast areas of forest without reforestation efforts. This unsustainable practice caused rapid deforestation, soil erosion, and the loss of biodiversity, jeopardizing the long-term health of the ecosystem and the viability of the logging industry itself.
- Their nation borrowed money unsustainably, accruing massive debts without a plan for repayment or economic growth. This unsustainable financial policy led to economic instability, currency devaluation, and a diminished standard of living for the populace, trapping future generations in a cycle of debt.
- The city’s rapid population growth resulted in unsustainably high levels of water consumption, depleting the local aquifer faster than it could replenish. This unsustainable water usage caused shortages, forced rationing, and threatened the ecological health of the surrounding wetlands.
- Driven by the need for immediate profits, the factory discharged its waste unsustainably into the river, polluting the water supply and harming aquatic life. This unsustainable approach disregarded environmental regulations, public health concerns, and the long-term consequences of their actions.