2.1 Sustainability and Future development

Question 1

Discuss the role of technology in meeting growing global need for resources. Your answer should include specific reference to the following issues;

 What trends you deduce from the figure above with relation to environmental impact of various countries and why this might be so.

 How ecological footprints are likely to change with economic progression in developing countries.

 Population: how population size affects demand fro resources and waste generated.

 Affluence: how lifestyle / wealth affects demand for resources and waste generated.

 Technology: how counties convert natural resources into real good and services that we can use.

The quality of written communication will be assessed in your answer. {15}

Answer 1

Answer;

Indicative content;

 What trends you deduce from the figure above with relation to environmental impact of various countries and why this might be so:

 More economically developed countries have a higher ecological footprint per person than less economically developed countries.

 They consume more goods and services, have more energy intensive lifestyle and create more waste.

 How ecological footprints are likely to change with economic progression in developing countries:

 As countries become more economically developed their ecological footprint is likely to increase.

 This may be due to improved education, health / life expectancy, affluence, lifestyle etc which drives demand for resources.

 Population: how population size affects demand fro resources and waste generated:

 More population means greater demand for natural resources.

 More food and water required.

 More demand for clothing, shelter, goods and energy to produce these.

 Less resources available for other species (wildlife, habitat etc)

 Affluence: how lifestyle / wealth affects demand for resources and waste generated:

 Greater affluence – greater consumption and more waste generated.

 It is unsustainable to continue living a high consumption western lifestyle.

 Developing countries wish to have a similar affluent lifestyle to the US.

 Technology: how counties convert natural resources into real good and services that we can use:

 Industrially-driven societies are energy intensive by nature.

 There are limits to how far we can improve technology in terms of resource use and reduce waste generation.

 Less advanced technology used in developing countries is likely to cause more environmental impact.

 Renewable resources still require non-renewable resources during manufacture and are expensive to harness.

Question 2

Discuss the link between a nations Ecological Footprint and its Carbon Footprint. {4}

Answer 2

Answer;

A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by a person, group or nation, this being mainly as a result of the combustion of carbon based fuels to meet their energy needs. {1}

The ecological footprint on the other hand considers the broader environmental impact of all the population of a nation by quantifying the amount of land that is required to support all the activities of that nation…….. {1}

Including food production, waste disposal etc, as well as energy production. {1}

Therefore the carbon footprint measures just one of the many environmental impacts that are included within the calculation of the ecological footprint. {1}

Question 3

Define and explain the concept and measurement of an ecological footprint. {3}

Answer 3

Answer;

An ecological footprint is based on consumption over a specific year {1}.

Expressed as the amount of land and sea (bio-productive area) required to support the use of natural resources {1}.

A means of comparing usage of natural resources and lifestyles, and checking this against natures ability to provide for this {1}

Question 4

Explain what is meant by the concept of ‘One Planet Living’.

Answer 4

Answer;

Studies show that each person is entitled to 1.84 hectares, but the table above shows that those living in developed nations use considerably more than they are entitled to, while those in the less developed countries exist on much less. {1}.

The concept of One Planet Living requires that everyone live within the 1.84 hectares that they are entitled to. {1}

Question 5

The global ecological footprint for each person can be calculated as 1.84 hectares.
Explain this calculation in relation to those living in the developed world.

Answer 5

Answer;

People living in highly developed western countries have a much larger footprint and are effectively taking up more than their fair share of the earth’s resources. {1}

To make the ecological footprint more ‘equal’ actions need to be taken within the developed world to reduce individual impact and support given to the developing world to develop in a more sustainable fashion. {1}

These actions could include; 
 Reduction in individual transport, or 
 Less flying on aircraft, or 
 Producing less waste, or 
 Increasing home efficiency, {1}

Question 6

Name and describe three approaches required by today’s society if One Planet Living is to be achieved.

Answer 6

Answer;
Any three from;

 Zero Carbon {1}. Making buildings more energy efficient and delivering all energy with renewable technologies {1}.

 Zero waste {1}. Reducing waste, reusing where possible, and ultimately sending zero waste to landfill {1}.

 Sustainable transport {1}. Encouraging low carbon modes of transport to reduce emissions, reducing the need to travel {1}.

 Sustainable materials {1}. Using sustainable healthy products, with low embodied energy, sourced locally, made from renewable or waste resources {1}.

 Local and sustainable food {1}. Choosing low impact, local, seasonal and organic diets and reducing food waste {1}.

 Sustainable water {1}. Using water more efficiently in buildings and in the products we buy; tackling local flooding and water course pollution {1}.

 Land use and wildlife {1}. Protecting and restoring biodiversity and natural habitats through appropriate land use and integration into the built environment {1}.

 Culture and community {1}. Reviving identity and wisdom; supporting and participating in the arts {1}.

 Equity and local economy {1}/ Creating bioregional economies that support fair employment, inclusive communities and international fair trade {1}.

 Health and happiness {1}. Encouraging active, sociable, meaningful lives to promote good health and wellbeing {1}.

Question 7

Explain the IPAT equation:

Answer 7

I = P x A x T

I = Environmental Impact

Population (P) – How many of us there are consuming resources and creating waste.

Affluence (A) – The average amount of goods and services we each use.

Technology (T) – How efficiently / harmfully we produce these goods and services.

Question 8

Name the nations that are racing for claim of possible oil reserves within the north pole.

Answer 8

Russia, USA, Canada, Norway and Denmark

Question 9

what is the current population and what is it estimated to rise to by 2050.

Answer 9

7 billions raised to 9.2 billion by 2050

Question 10

identify areas that affect out personal ecological footprint

Answer 10

Diet
Clothing 
Furnishings 
Packaging 
Size of home 
Running costs of home 
Travel