Sustainable development means which of the following?

• A. Increasing production now without regard to future resources.
• B. Prioritizing export growth above environmental protection.
• C. Regulating industry through standards without considering growth.
• D. Sustainable development meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs; measures include carbon pricing, investment in renewables, and regulatory standards.

Answer: (D)

Sustainable development is about using resources today in a way that still lets future generations meet their own needs. The correct choice expresses that balance and adds practical tools used to achieve it, such as carbon pricing to curb emissions, investing in renewable energy to reduce reliance on finite resources, and regulatory standards to protect the environment while supporting ongoing growth. The other ideas miss this balance: pushing production without regard to resource limits ignores long-term viability; valuing export growth over environmental protection sacrifices future options; and regulating without considering growth can deny people today the opportunities they need.