The paper describes the genesis of the idea, the term and the concept of sustainable development. The driving forces of sustainable development were fundamental crises, which were essentially crises of the energy system. The idea originated during the energy crisis of the medieval agrarian solar energy system in the 14th century. The term originated when the agrarian solar energy system could no longer satisfy the growing energy demands of the emerging industrial age and reached its ecological boundaries at the end of the 18th century. The concept originated at the end of 20th century, when the fossil energy system reached its ecological limits and society was in search of a concept reconciling ecological, economic, and social goals for present and future generations. Currently, we are witnessing a slow transition to a new, probably post-fossil, energy age. All experience from history shows that we have reason to assume that the as yet visionary new solar energy system will also face new problems and limitations. Managing the present and future in a sustainable way is a task that will accompany humanity on its way into the future and will therefore necessitate the further development of the concept of sustainable development. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.