Economic VS environmental sustainability

Question 1

What the definition of sustainable development?

Answer 1

Development that meets the present needs without compromising the future generation to meet their own needs.
Improved human potential.
Environment used to supply people long-term.

Question 2

What does the global economy depend on?

Answer 2

Natural environment.
Source of resources.
Sink for emissions.
Capacity for these is critical to how far the population/economy can expand.

Question 3

What were the first 3 sustainable environmental objectives?

Answer 3

1. Maintain ecological process/life-support systems.
2. Preserve genetic diversity.
3. Ensure species/ecosystem utilisation without damage.
   - concept of economic sustainability then followed.

Question 4

What are some of the 1992 UN Rio Earth Summit environmental principles? 5

Answer 4

1. People are the heart of concern.
2. Environmental protection is key to the development process.
3. States have the right to exploit own environments - but not damage other state environments.
4. Laws for pollution/compensation.
5. EIA should be undertaken.

Question 5

What are some of the 1992 UN Rio Earth Summit economic principles? 5

Answer 5

1. All states should cooperate in eliminating poverty.
2. LECs should be given the most priority.
3. Unsustainable production should be eliminated.
4. Development must be fulfilled so that it meets both present and future generations.
5. States should support an open economic system.

Question 6

What did the World Summit in NY 2005 state?

Answer 6

Sustainability must involve cooperation across the 3 pillars: environment, society and economy.
Strong emphasis on economy, and little on environment - path to self-destruction.

Question 7

What is the environmental sustainability index, and what does it show?

Answer 7

21 variables used to place countries from 0 (bad) to good (100).
Best - Norway, Sweden.
Worst - China.

Question 8

What challenges to developed countries face regarding sustainability? 2

Answer 8

1. Managing environmental stresses of industrialisation.

2. Consumption of natural resources.

Question 9

What challenges to developing countries face regarding sustainability? 3

Answer 9

1. Depleting renewable resources e.g. water.
2. Funding investments in environmental protection.
3. Regulating economic growth impact.

Question 10

How do ESI scores differ between rich and poor countries?

Answer 10

Spain and Indonesia - both 48.8.
Spain - high levels of environmental stress BUT has the capacity to deal with it.
Indonesia - less environmental stress, BUT less capacity to face other challenges e.g. water quality issues.

Question 11

Which countries perform well when comparing ESI and GDP?

Answer 11

Correlation between wealth and environmental sustainability.
Norway - best.
USA and UK fall way below the regression line - do not perform well for their wealth.