Due to their high hardness, high temperature stability, and high chemical stability, ceramic materials have significant uses and potential in existing and emerging sustainable technologies. In this paper, we provide a thorough overview of ceramics in a variety of sustainable applications. This is followed by a detailed discussion of an emerging process to make ceramics called polymer (or precursor)-derived ceramics. It is shown that due to the versatility of this process in making a wide range of shapes-fibers, coatings, and porous ceramics, this is an attractive route to make ceramics that will be a critical element in the next generation of sustainable technologies.