An overview Flashcards
1
Q
What is sustainable development?
A
Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs.
3 dimensions:
- Society
- Economy
- Environment
2
Q
Why is it difficult to achieve sustainable development?
A
Population growth
- too many people means that it is difficult to provide the needs of all the population
3
Q
Environmental issues
A
- loss of biodiversity
- ozone layer depletion
- climate change
- summer and winter smogs
- human and eco-toxicity
- eutrophication
- acid rain
- resource depletion
4
Q
Causes of loss of biodiversity
A
- habitat destruction
- habitat degradation
- hunting
- ocean acidification
- competition for food and other resources
- currently in the Holocene extinction, extinction rates are 100-100,000 times higher than background extinction rates
5
Q
Resource depletion
A
- lack of clean water
- polluted air in most cities
- land:
- land contamination
- deforestation
- desertation
- 50% of fossil fuels, minerals and metals have already mean used
6
Q
Meeting human need
A
- food
- energy
- water
- transport
- housing
7
Q
Energy supply options
A
- fossil fuels
- renewables (wind, hydro, solar, biomass and geothermal)
- nuclear
- hydrogen
8
Q
Sustainability issues with fossil fuels
A
- sufficient amount to meet energy demands of this century
- climate change implications make it an unsustainable option
- carbon capture and storage: reduces efficiency and can leak
- efficiency improvements: crucial but we are still reliant on fossil fuels
9
Q
Sustainability issues with renewables
A
- high cost
- often high resource depletion
- social issues
10
Q
Sustainability issues with nuclear
A
- high risks
- socially unacceptable
11
Q
Sustainability issues with hydrogen
A
- not a source, not sustainable if from fossil-based resources
- consumer resistance
12
Q
Water supply options and sustainability issues
A
- provision of water to developing countries ( 1 billion people lack access to clean water)
- increased efficiency of use ( e.g use of ‘grey water’, lack of infrastructure and social acceptance)
- reduced demand (consumer behavior)
- new water source (sea water desalination)
