Chap 4/5/6

Question 1

Taking a holistic approach to analyzing complexity. Rather than focusing on the details of isolated problems, way of thinking allows us to see the interconnections between constituent parts and the causes and effects of action.

Answer 1

Systems thinking

Question 2

As one part of a system changes, other parts of the system react and respond, regulating system behavior as a whole. This term is the mechanism by which the system regulates and manipulates this change. This closed chain of causal connections forms when changes in a stock affect the flows in and out of that stock. These exhibit two kinds of behavior: positive (reinforcing) and negative (balancing).

Answer 2

Feedback loops

Question 3

These are the interconnections between elements of a system that change over time—the relationships that hold the system together.

Answer 3

flows

Question 4

These are the elements of a system that you can see, feel, and count.

Answer 4

stocks

Question 5

This term describes what happens in a system that is both complex and changing. Taking action in one part of this type of system yields unpredictable, erratic results, that makes solving sustainability challenges like climate change particularly difficult.

Answer 5

Dynamic compexity

Question 6

Equilibrium occurs when a system is in balance such that changes to that system are imperceptible. Static equilibrium describes a system that is unchanging and motionless, but this type of equilibrium exists when a system is in a state of change yet the opposing forces at work are equivalent.

Answer 6

Dynamic Equilibrium

Question 7

These are also known as positive feedback loops, and generate exponential growth or collapse at an increasing rate. This runaway behavior strengthens with each iteration.

Answer 7

Reinforcing loop

Question 8

an increase in severe weather events, drought, changes in ocean chemistry, and rising tides.

Answer 8

Climate Change

Question 9

These are also known as negative feedback loops, and have a stabilizing effect, creating resistance, eventually limiting growth or collapse.

Answer 9

balancing loops

Question 10

A principle of most systems is that they have the ability to structure themselves, evolve into new structures, learn, diversify, and become increasingly complex. By loosening control, this phenomenon offers a valuable leverage point for change.

Answer 10

self-organization

Question 11

This term refers to the various combinations of reinforcing and balancing feedback loops that commonly occur in systems. They include: Fixes that backfire or fail, Shifting the burden, Limits to growth or success, Tragedy of the commons, Accidental adversaries, Escalation, Drifting or eroding goals, Success to the successful, and Growth and underinvestment.

Answer 11

system archetype

Question 12

Published by the Club of Rome in 1972, this was a controversial paper, authored by a team at MIT, working under Jay W. Forrester. Controversial at the time, the team used computer modeling to simulate the impact on the biosphere of continued economic and population growth. Their findings showed that the carrying capacity of the Earth could not withstand the then-current rates beyond 2100, without experiencing irreversible collapse.

Answer 12

Limits of growth

Question 13

This is an abstract representation of a system—of something in the real world that we want to better understand—constructed in our imaginations. Cultivating the ability to think about the underlying structure and function of a system, through the use of these, is critical to successful sustainable development.

Answer 13

mental model

Question 14

Places to intervene in a system to create change.

Answer 14

leverage points

Question 15

This consists of the biological community along with the physical and chemical factors that make up its nonliving environment.

Answer 15

Ecosystem

Question 16

An economy where inflows and outflows, though in a constant state of fluctuation, remain in relative balance. Such an economy permits qualitative development without quantitative growth.

Answer 16

steady-state economy

Question 17

This energy is generated through fission—a process that uses neutrons to break apart an atom’s nucleus. Upon breakup, these neutrons collide with other atoms, causing a chain reaction. Large, heavy, relatively weak, and unstable, uranium is an ideal element to fuel this process. Its instability makes uranium highly radioactive, with a half-life of 4.5 billion years. One pound of uranium can produce as much power as 3 million pounds of coal.

Answer 17

nuclear power

Question 18

Derived by tallying all the income generated by companies and individuals residing within a country’s boundaries, this is an indicator used to assess the economic position of a given country. The calculations are net of foreign investment.

Answer 18

Gross national product (GNP)

Question 19

This is an index of a country’s economic output—the economic value of all goods and services, derived by tallying either all income received or all money spent. It is used to determine a nation’s level of prosperity. Calculated by summing recorded market transactions, many consider it an inaccurate indicator of progress because it ignores social costs, environmental impacts and income inequality.

Answer 19

Gross domestic product (GDP)

Question 20

Publisher of “Our Common Future” in 1987, the UN’s World Commission on Environment and Development got its moniker from its Chairwoman, Gro Harlem Brundtland, the ex-Prime Minister of Norway.

Answer 20

Brundtland’s commission

Question 21

Also known as the Rio Summit, this 1992 conference laid the foundation for all future efforts by the international community to ensure sustainable development. Rio’s five main outcomes were: the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21, the Statement of Land Resources and Deforestation, the UN Framework Convention On Climate Change, and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Answer 21

UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

Question 22

This declaration defined a series of principles governing the rights of people to development, and their responsibilities of States to safeguard the common environment.

Answer 22

Rio Declaration on the Environment and Development

Question 23

A non-binding action plan for sustainable development adopted at the Earth Summit, it provided a wide-ranging blueprint to drive sustainable development around the world.

Answer 23

Agenda 21

Question 24

The parent treaty to the Kyoto Protocol this framework convention was a major outcome of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. With near universal membership (197 members) the goal of the convention is “to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that will prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system”.

Answer 24

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Question 25

A key agreement arrived at by participants to the 1992 Earth Summit included these 15 non-legally binding principles.

Answer 25

Forest Principles

Question 26

The supreme decision-making body comprised of the parties that have ratified the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. It has met on an annual basis since 1995, to evaluate progress on the project mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol. As of February 2003, it is comprised of 188 countries.

Answer 26

Conference of the Parties (COPs)

Question 27

An international agreement, linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which commits the parties to binding emissions reductions. It created 3 mechanisms to reduce GHGs: International Emissions Trading; Clean Development Mechanism (CDM); and Joint Implementation (JI).

Answer 27

Kyoto Protocol

Question 28

A family of chemicals that are nontoxic and nonflammable that are used by industry in such applications as aerosols, solvents, and refrigerants. One example, Freon (CHC-12) was used for decades in refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners. Because they react with the upper atmosphere, they have a high ozone depleting potential (ODP) and are therefore banned under the Montreal Protocol.

Answer 28

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC

Question 29

Ratified in 1988, this framework convention, laid the groundwork for the Montreal Protocol. Its objective was to promote research, facilitate the exchange of information, and adopt measures that would mitigate activities that deplete the ozone layer.

Answer 29

Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

Question 30

Widely considered one of the most effective environmental agreements, this protocol set forth a timetable for the mandatory phase-out of all ozone depleting substances. Included among these substances are CFCs, halons and HCFCs, chemicals with high global warming potential.

Answer 30

Montreal protocol

Question 31

In 2000, the UN began developing a concrete set of actions aimed at ending poverty, hunger, and disease around the world. Out of this process arose a set of eight goals to be achieved by 2015. In 2016, they were replaced with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Answer 31

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)