1.3: Sustainability Flashcards

Question

Local: Fukushima meltdown Health impact

Answer 1

Exposure to radiation (health concerns) Uncertain risks Mental health deterioration Death

Answer 2

Outcome/response: Countries like Spain, Austria, chile, Italy, Switzerland stopped some of their nuclear power plants in protest People compensated for damage Was environmental justice achieved? No Clear efforts and success in cleaning up site Raised awareness for nuclear risk BUT… Tens of thousands displaced Working conditions at plant are hazardous Storage of radioactive water -> still concern

Answer 3

Specifically ecological systems A model that outlines nine critical processes/systems that have regulated the stability and resilience of the Earths system during the Holocene Epoch Identifies limits to human disturbance before we reach the ‘tipping point’

Answer 4

Climate change: Human induced alternation of earths climate system Biodiversity loss: Reduction of earths variety of life due to human activity Biogeochemical flows (nitrogen and phosphorus cycles): Disruption of natural nutrient cycles due to human agricultural/industrial activities Stratospheric ozone depletion: Thinning of ozone later due to human made chemicals Ocean acidification: Lower of pH levels due to increased absorption of CO2 Freshwater use: Unsustainable extraction and use of freshwater resources Land system change: Conversion of natural eco systems into urban areas Chemical pollution: Release of synthetic chemicals into environment Atmospheric aerosol loading: Emission of particulate matter and aerosols into atmosphere

Answer 5

Identifies science based limits Highlights the need for comprehensive action -> address ALL environmental issues Raise awareness -> alerts public and urges policymakers

Answer 6

Ignores societal factors -> focuses only on ecological systems and doesn’t consider human dimensions Work in progress -> assessment of boundaries are constantly updating Global focus may not suit local action -> may not align with priorities of a country

Answer 7

One of most productive in world Supports communities/economies along Canada’s eastern coast Intensive fishing -> cod population decline (unsustainable levels as a result of tech advances/increased demand) Overfishing: Mid 20th century -> advancing tech (factory trawlers, sonar) -> can catch greater amounts -> decline in population Ecosystem impact: Collapse of fishery -> consequences beyond declining population -> cod crucial in marine ecosystem (predator and prey) Decline -> imbalance -> disrupt ecological processes Economic fallout: Devastating effects on coastal communities: 10s of 1000s jobs lots of Communities faced economic hardship/social difficulties Closure of fishery -> regional company -> industries (fishing, tourism, etc.)

Answer 8

quantitative measures used to asses various aspects of sustainability Specific to biodiversity, pollution, human population, climate change, etc. Can be applied at all scales (local -> global) to evaluate the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainability

Answer 9

The maximum number of a species that can be sustainably support by a given area Difficult to calculate: We use more resources We substitute ressources Individual resources vary We import/export Technology

Answer 10

The area of land and water required to support a defined human population of a given standard of living Allows us to: - a model that allows us to estimate the demands of a human population on the environment - takes into account the area of land and water required to provide all the resources needed - includes the land used for habitation/waste/energy production Theoretical, but still valuable tool to assess our impact Measured in global hectares per capita per unit time

Answer 11

Provides comprehensive measure of the demands that human population place on the enviroment - take into account resources consumed, waste generated, services required (to absorb waste) - evaluate human sustainability Used to compare the sustainability of different lifestyles, businesses, countries EF exceeds the area available to the population (biocapacity: the amount of resources that the planet can provide sustainably) -> not sustainable in the long-term Reduce ef -> adopt sustainable practices - reduce meat consumption - renewable energy - public transport… Overall… EFs are a useful tool for promoting sustainable development and for raising awareness about the impact of human activities on the environment

Answer 12

Carbon footprint measures the amount of greenhouse gases produced by a person, activity, business, or country Usually measured in CO2 equivalents (in tonnes) per year Helps understand how much out actions contribute to global climate change

Answer 13

water footprints measure the amount of water used directly or indirectly to produce certain goods and services understanding water footprints helps us manage water resources more sustainably water footprints are usually measured in cubic metres per year

Answer 14

Alternative economic model Goal is to meet the needs of the people within the means of living planet Framework for building economy that: Meets needs of people Staying in ecological limits of planet IMPORTANCE OF REGENERATIVE AND DISTRIBUTIVE ECONOMY Outside -> planetary boundaries Inside -> UNSDGs

Answer 15

Regenerative economy: work within the natural cycles/limits of the planet -> restore and renew rather than deplete Distributive economy: shared value and opportunities more equitably among all -> reduced inequality and ensure fair distribution of resources Social foundation: inner ring -> UNSDGs Minimum standards for humans Ecological ceiling: outer ring -> planetary boundaries Limits of the earths ecosystems and resources

Answer 16

Billions still fall short of social foundations Humanity overshot most of planetary boundaries Objective -> move into the doughnut - economy that enables all societies to prosper - harmony with living world Economy -> regenerative and distributive - need immediate change -> policies, practices that promote sustainability and equity

Answer 17

Support enviromental jsutice: Ecological and social elements Raise awareness: Reach popular awareness Highlights interconnectedness of social+enviromental Raise public understanding and engagement in efforts Applied at various scales: Businesses to countries -> sustainable development Provide framework -> applied to different contexts Promote interdisciplinary collaboration: Collab between economist, environmentalist, policymakers, communities, etc.

Answer 18

Lack specificity: Work in progress Board principles but lacks detailed guidance on specific policies ‘Too theoretical’ -> lack practical solutions Challenges in application: Different context -> different approach Translating model -> complex Changing nature: Our understanding of sustainability evolve -> boundaries adjusted

Answer 19

False Its the other way around

Answer 20

Eliminating waste and pollution: Reduce waste generation Minimize enviromental pollution Encourage redesign of products/processes -> eliminate waste at source Circulating products and materials: Maintains products/components/materials to highest utility/value for as long as possible Reuse, repair, remanufacture, recycling -> extend life of products Regenerating nature: Restore/enhance natural capital + promote economic growth Ex: reforestation, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, etc.

Answer 21

a sustainable economic system designed to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency it aims to decouple economic growth from the consumption of finite resources, promoting long-term environmental sustainability

Answer 22

Ellen MacArthur foundation -> butterfly diagram to represent circular economy -> contrast linear economic model (take-make-waste) -> continuous flow of resources Two cycles: Biological cycle (biodegradable products -> natural environment) Technical cycle (products recycled, reused, repaired, remanufactured)

Answer 23

Regeneration of natural systems: Support ecosystems restoration and biodiversity conservation Reduction of greenhouse gas emission: Promote energy efficacy and use of renewable resources Improvement of local food networks and support of local communities: encourages sustainable agricultural practices and local food production Reduction of waste by extending the product lifecycle cycle: Emphasize product durability, repairability, recyclability Changed consumer habits: Mindful compsumption Responsible products choices

Answer 24

Lack of enviromental awareness by consumers/companies: Challenges in educating consumers/businesses about importance of circular practices Lack of regulations enforcing the recycling of products: Inadequate policies and regulation that incentivize/enforce recycling Some waste isn’t recyclable (technical limitations): Certain materials -> challenges for recycling due to technical constraints Lack of finance: Financial barrier to implementing circular economy initiatives Especially small businesses

Answer 25

Range of frameworks and models that support our understanding of sustainability Simplified version of reality -> uses and limitations

Answer 26

Sustainability model made by the UN in 2015 Called the 2030 agenda for sustainable development Comprehensive set of social and environmental objectives that were made targets for the 2030 agenda - 17 goals - 169 targets Aim to provide a universal framework for addressing urgent global challenges while also promoting sustainable development+environmental justice Recognized their interconnectedness

Answer 27

Uses: Common groups for policymaking Global relevance (developing and developing) Galvanizing the international community (collaboration) Limitations: Insufficient ambitions (doesn’t address magnitude enough) Top-down approach (not enough local communities) Ignoring local context for different regions) Data deficiency (how do we evaluate and monitor?)

Answer 28

No poverty Zero hunger Good health and well-being Quality education Quality equality Clean water and sanitation Affordable and clean energy Decent work and economic growth Industry, innovation and infrastructure Reduced inequalities Sustainable cities and communities Responsible consumption and production Climate action Life below water Life on land Peace, justice and strong institutions Partnership for the goals