<P> In 1987 the United Nation 's World Commission on Environment and Development ( the Brundtland Commission ) , in its report Our Common Future suggested that development was acceptable , but it must be sustainable development that would meet the needs of the poor while not increasing environmental problems . Humanity 's demand on the planet has more than doubled over the past 45 years as a result of population growth and increasing individual consumption . In 1961 almost all countries in the world had more than enough capacity to meet their own demand ; by 2005 the situation had changed radically with many countries able to meet their needs only by importing resources from other nations . A move toward sustainable living by increasing public awareness and adoption of recycling , and renewable energies emerged . The development of renewable sources of energy in the 1970s and ' 80s , primarily in wind turbines and photovoltaics and increased use of hydroelectricity , presented some of the first sustainable alternatives to fossil fuel and nuclear energy generation , the first large - scale solar and wind power plants appearing during the 1980s and ' 90s . Also at this time many local and state governments in developed countries began to implement small - scale sustainability policies . </P>
when did the term sustainability start to be used
1987