I have an interest in the word "sustainability" as used by foresters. It is a relatively new word. For example, CAB began using it as a keyword in 1990. I used TREECD and found that "sustainability" was used in 1975 in a forestry context. Its use increased greatly in the 1980's and now over 100 papers/year use the term. What I would like to know is what year did the word first show up in a dictionary? My 1980 dictionary lists sustain, sustained, sustaining, sustains, sustainable, sustainer, sustainment, but not "sustainability." Some new dictionaries now include the word "sustainability." CAB defines sustainability as: ability of an agroecosystem to maintain production through time without severe or permanent deterioration in resources, in the face of long-term ecological constraints and socioeconomic pressures. DOES ANYONE KNOW IN WHAT YEAR THIS WORD FIRST APPEARED IN A DICTIONARY? (thanks for your help) David South School of Forestry Auburn University, AL 36849-5418 dsouth@forestry.auburn.edu 334-844-1022 334-844-1084 (FAX)
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