What does sustainability refer to in environmental terms?

Sustainability in environmental terms refers to the practice of using resources in a way that allows them to regenerate naturally, ensuring their availability for future generations. The concept emphasizes the importance of maintaining ecological balance and requires that resource harvesting occurs at a rate that does not exceed the rate at which the resources can replenish themselves.

Option C correctly captures this idea by highlighting the need to harvest resources at a regenerative rate. This means that resources, such as forests, fish, and water, should be managed in a manner that facilitates their natural replenishment. As a result, ecosystems remain healthy, biodiversity is preserved, and the needs of both current and future populations can be met.

In contrast, the other options denote practices that undermine sustainability. For instance, using resources faster than they can regenerate or exhausting non-renewable resources both reflect unsustainable methods that lead to depletion and environmental degradation. Similarly, depleting resources to enhance production suggests a short-term gain that disregards the long-term effects on resource availability and ecosystem health. Therefore, option C stands out as the only choice that aligns with the principles of sustainability in environmental contexts.