1 Flashcards
Literature, Silent Spring
1962, Rachel Carson. Focuses on the effects of DDTs on the environment. Book focuses on how they accumulated in top predators (mainly birds). Government in response introduced policies to stop DDT use. Techno to Eco.
Media, Exxon Valdez
1989, Oil tanker crashed off Alaska’s coast, taking a shortcut. It spilled oil in a once pristine environment. This disturbance was broadcasted to living rooms. Company forced to pay compensation. Anthropocentric - humans are responsible for the environment.
Major Environmental Disaster, Bhopal
1984, MIC gas was released from a pesticide plant. This killed 3,000 people immediately. Entered waterways, toxicity 40% above standards. Environmental Protection Act passed in 1986. Environmental justice system truly emerged. Technocentric to anthropocentric/ecocentric.
Technological Development, Catalytic Converter
International Agreements, Rio Earth Summit
1992, 172 countries (IGO, NGO, GO etc) introduced practices and protocols for pest control, forestry and sustainable development. Global move toward sustainable development. the science of GHG affecting the environment was accepted. More ecocentric.
International Agreements, Montreal Protocol
1987, Reduce consumption and production greatly by 2000.
1990 - London Amendment, MEDCs stop production by 2000, LEDCs stop production by 2010
Significance of the Montreal Protocol
- Best example of international cooperation on an environmental issue.
- Example of precautionary principle in science-based decision making.
- Many experts came together from different fields.
- First to recognise different economically developed countries could phase out ODS at different times.
- First with carefully monitored regulations.
Ecocentric Approach Towards Eutrophication
Methods which are in balance with natural systems. Animal faeces as fertilisers, education campaigns to reduce pollutants (both), buffer zones. Sustainable but hard to change behaviour and may hinder economic development.
Anthropocentric Approach Towards Eutrophication
Restrictions and de-legalise use of fertilisers (compounds with high N and P counts). Debate/discussion with public to create plan. Promotes equality but may take a long time to implement laws.
Technocentric Approach Towards Eutrophication
Develop alternative fertilisers (lower N and P). Stage 2 and 3 of PMM. Filtering water, pumping air into water, pumping mud out of water. Allows economic development but may be expensive and short-term solution (root of problem unsolved).
Gaia Hypothesis
1972, James Lovelock, published the book. Earth is an organism that regulates itself. It is not easily able to ‘bounce back’ from a disturbance.
EIA, London Olympics, 2012
Assessing development of the Park. Four phases. Identified likely impacts and measures to counteract affects. If methods were put into place, neutral or better outcome in final stage. Environmental impacts minimised.
DDTs
1970, WHO banned use of DDTs. Still used in tropics to kill malaria parasite-carrying mosquitos.
Malaria is believed to kill 2.7million people per year, infect 300-500 million. DDTs are believed to have saved millions of lives.
Banned due to severe negative effects.
As DDTs are persistent, mosquitos are developing resistance to them.
Communism VS Capitalism Germany
Christianity VS Buddhism
