ENV221 Flashcards
1
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Myths
A
- ignorance is a solvable problem: ignorance is an inescapable part of humanity and the advance of knowledge is an advance in ignorance
2
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Myths
A
- with enough knowledge and technology we can manage planet earth: what must be managed is human desire, economy, politics, and society
3
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Myths
A
- knowledge is increasing and by implication so is human goodness: data is growing but knowledge and goodness cannot be measured; similarly, knowledge of lucrative data is growing rather than holistic ones
4
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Myths
A
- we can adequately restore which we have dismantled: incomplete education, especially in fields of ecology and environment, have fooled humans into thinking we are richer than we actually are
5
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Myths
A
- the purpose of education is that of giving you the means for upward mobility and success: success is subjective, but standard forms of success have rewritten society into a capitalist one
6
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Myths
A
- our culture represents the pinnacle of human achievement: our culture has created a hellish society where divide is at an all time high and where the current worldview has become a destroyer of the human soul
7
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Principles
A
- all education is environmental education: all fields must have information on ecology and sustainability sprinkled in
8
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Principles
A
- the goal of education is not mastery of a subject, but of one’s person: subject matter is a tool, but what is truly valuable is the lessons and soul we learn in the process
9
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Principles
A
- knowledge carries with it the responsibility to see that it is used well in the world: knowledge makes humans do risky things (chernobyl, oil spills), so it is only fair we take responsibility
10
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Principles
A
- we cannot say we know something until we understand the effects of this on real people and communities: socio-cultural factors vary from person, community, and culture so it is important to practice reflexivity
11
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Principles
A
- the importance of “minute particulars” and the power of examples over words: education must give hope and positivity, and small details from teachers and staff are key in creating role models for youths
12
Q
WK1 Orr: What is education for?
Education Principles
A
- the way learning occurs is as important as course content: process is important for learning
13
Q
Disciplinary vs. Interdisciplinary vs. Transdisciplinary Learning
A
- Disciplinary is specialization in isolation = researching in 1 topic
- Interdisciplinary is coordination by higher-level concept = various stages of development that work together
- Transdisciplinary is multi-level coordination of entire education/innovation systems = all-encompassing collaboration of various disciplines under a broad topic
14
Q
Disciplinary Contributions of Environmental Studies
A
- a combination of natural sciences with social, cultural, and economic factors
15
Q
scientific assumptions
A
- science aims to discover the world’s mysteries
- science is universally applicable and has repetitive patterns
- used inductive reasoning to come up with scientific conclusions
- change in knowledge is inevitable, thus science is ever changing
- science corrects itself, and ideas are modified into latest conclusions
16
Q
Environmental Science
A
- a branch of science that studies the natural world and how the environment affects humans, and vice versa
- environmental science must be testable, measurable, and disprovable
17
Q
scientific method
A
- make observations and search for a topic -> formulate research question -> design experiments -> collect and interpret data -> draw conclusions
18
Q
limitations of science
A
- is science unbiased?
- can science explain everything?
- what drives research? and do answers depend on what questions that we ask?
- progression in env science is dependent on money, power, and demographics which determine funding and scope of research
19
Q
WK 2 Reading: Environmental Ethics Philosophy
A
Anthropocene: belief that humans are the center of the universe. All actions done to the planet are justifiable as long as they are done for human’s sake
20
Q
challenges of environmental science
A
- limits in data that can be collected: the earth is not testable
- long time frame of experiments: env change happens slowly
- funding, support, and tech are not easily given
21
Q
Environmental Science as a Discipline
A
Disciplinary Contributions
- Identifies problems that can then be translated into policy changes, economic development, and socio-cultural considerations
Disciplinary Approaches
- Uses scientific method, fieldwork, and experimentation
What Questions does it ask?
- Asks the questions “Why and How”
22
Q
WK 2 Reading: Environmental Ethics Philosophy
A
Biocentrism: belief that living creatures are deserving of equal rights and ethical protection. This extends from humans to animals and plants.
23
Q
WK 2 Reading: Environmental Ethics Philosophy
A
Deep Ecology: the philosophy that encourages the profound respect and love of the environment. Encourages holistic thinking and personal agency in protecting the environment
- Coined by Arne Naess in 1970s
- all living things have equal intrinsic value, thus environment must be valued in the same way human lives are
24
Q
WK 2 Reading: Environmental Ethics Philosophy
A
Conservation Ethic: the philosophy that focuses on responsible use of natural resources. Allows humans to collect natural resources, but must do it ethically (anthropocenic)
- Nature is valuable to humans (Gifford Pinchot and Clifford Sifton)
25
WK 2 Reading: Environmental Ethics Philosophy
Ecocentrism: belief that all living and non-living entities deserve equitable treatment. This extends to entire ecosystems and habitats.
26
Worldview
The individual perspective on how the world is seen. This is shaped by personal experiences and morals.
27
WK 2 Reading: Environmental Ethics Philosophy
Preservation Ethic: the philosophy that focuses completely on environmental protection. Humans are not allowed to involve themselves with the environment, and it must be given utmost protection and value (bio/ecocentric)
- earth has intrinsic value, and should be protected (John Muir and James Harkin)
28
Ethics
- the study of what is good/bad and right/wrong
29
Moral Relativism
Ethical standards and beliefs may vary across cultures and countries
30
Universalists (Ethics)
the fundamental and usually widely objective notions of good or bad. Ex. murder is a crime, despite situations that allow it
31
Ethical Standards
- ever evolving and meant to distinguish right and wrong (varies per culture)
32
Ethical Philosophy: Categorical Imperative
Coined by Immanuel Kant: personal belief in a universal law, which focuses on following these universally 'moral' actions, regardless of the outcome
33
Ethical Philosophy: Utilitarianism
Coined by John Mill: any action is justifiable as long as it is done for the 'greater good'
34
Environmental Ethics
- application of ethical standards to relationships between humans and the environment
- do animals and ecology have rights on par with humans?
- what is our responsibility to future generations?
35
Evolution and History of Environmental Ethics
- popularized in the 1970s
- originally, ethical beliefs were passed down through oral traditions (indigenous and aboriginal beliefs about the environment)
- seen across religion as well: indian jainism, christianity, hinduism, etc.
- seen in philosophy: plato
36
Ethical Considerations of Anthropocentrism
- ethical considerations to humans
- nature must be used for the betterment of human society
- this justifies resource use and exploitation
37
Ethical Considerations of Biocentrism
- ethical considerations to non-humans (animals and plants)
- these creatures have intrinsic rights that enable them to live peacefully
38
Ethical Considerations of Ecocentrism
- ethical considerations to living and non-living entities
- considers the balance of entire ecosystems rather then individuals. insinuates one is incomplete without the other
39
Environmental Justice
- The principal belief that all peoples, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, religion have the right to live and work in a healthy environment and receive protection from risks of env degradation
- there is also a belief that in the case of env degradation, people should be compensated
40
Land Ethic
- Coined by Aldo Leopold in 1949
- He was a hunter, who changed his worldview on hunting after an encounter with a wolf
- His land ethic enlarges the boundaries of community to include ecological factors (soil, water, plants, animals)
- collectively, its an effort to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community
41
Social Ecology
- The belief that environmental problems are directly related to social problems
- Ex. the occupation in Palestine not only affects the people, but also the land and local environment (white phosphorus, olive trees, nuclear bombing)
42
WK 3 Reading: National Environmental Policies
- discusses how governments implement policy to address environmental issues
- current policy is not affective, as it fails to go beyond market mechanisms
- Market Failures, Policy Instruments, International Dimension
43
Ecofeminism
- Social movement that connects women and the environment
- civil rights and feminist movements have historically been linked to the environment
- Chipko and Tree Huggers
44
UN sustainable development goals
- efforts and commitments stated by the UN that encompass aspects of sustainable living
- accomplish by 2030
45
Environmental Policy
- policy that specifically pertains to human interaction with the environment
- requires input from science, ethics, and economics
46
What creates change?: Factors of consideration
- Interests: whose interests are expressed?
- Typically, it is the general public who are unsatisfied with current processes and cry out for change
47
Policy
- formal set of plans and principles intended to address problems and guide decision making
- public policy: laws, regulations, orders, incentives, peace, order, good governance
48
What creates change?: Factors of consideration
- Institutions: what institutions are involved?
- Typically, state institutions and governments draft and implement policies; however, smaller NGOs or departmental governments can implement change
49
What creates change?: Factors of consideration
- Ideas: what ideas are being pushed? what makes them valuable?
- Typically, they are ideas regarding equitable living that will be changed. Citizens who are struggling ask governments to create policy that will give aid
50
What creates change?: Factors of consideration
- Actors: who are involved? who is the authority?
- Typically, it is the ruler and the ruled who are involved, with the ruler creating change and the ruled receiving it
- Federal, Provincial, Aboriginal, and Municipal Governments, USA, International Organizations (UN, WTO, World Bank), Environmental NGOs
51
Approaches and Tools (Policy): Market Incentives
- Market incentives: encouragement for organizations/institutions to abide by policies: subsidies, taxes, permit trading (providing economic incentives for achieving emission reductions)
52
Evolution and History of Environmental Policy
- Started in late 1700s
- Resources and land taken from Indigenous peoples needed to be regulated and distributed among settlers
- Land Management policies rose during the dust bowl years (1930s drought) in an attempt to keep topsoil healthy and fertile
- Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring' was the modern day call to action (DDT use)
- This brought action to other environmental crises (death of lake erie, oil spill at love canal)
- Earth summits followed
53
Environmental Literature
- These books brought attention to the environmental crises starting in the early 1900s
- Silent Spring, Limits to Growth, Brundtland Report
54
Why is environmental policy needed?
- capitalism brings wealth at the expense of the environment
- in order to continue this economic system, governments must regulate resource use as to not deplete it
- environmental education is not enough, so policy must be implemented to keep institutions in check
- Market Capitalism has many shortcomings
55
Approaches and Tools (Policy) : Voluntary
- Voluntary: information campaigns and education offered to the public (usually not very effective)
56
Approaches and Tools (Policy) : Command and Control
- Command and Control: laws with heavy handed punishment if violated
- legal instruments: acts, regulations, permits
- repercussions: criminal enforcement, penalties, fees
- Ex. Polluter Pay Principle: if you purchase env degradation related goods you pay a carbon tax
57
Carrot and Stick Model (Policy)
- Carrot (market incentives) and stick (command and control)
58
Contributions of Environmental Policy
- aims to balance the needs / goods of the people with the needs / goods of the environment
59
WK 4 Readings: The role of economics in sustainability
- there is a fine line between over/under consumption. richer people consume more, while poor people are unable to afford basic needs
- economics and capitalism cannot simply be discarded as economic development is still necessary in many societies and developing communities
- thus, there must be a collaboration between env science and economics to create equitable policy and change
60
WK 4 Readings: Environmental Economics
- Factors to Consider: problems, policies, amounts, risks, distribution, growth, the environment
61
Economics
- traditional economics deals with the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
62
Environmental Economics
- Deals with the efficient allocation of environmental resources
- included the cost and benefits of alternative environmental policies that deal with env issues
63
Questions on Environmental Economics
- can we put value on the environment? and should we?
- what is the relationship between economic growth and the environment?
64
Economic Growth Formula
growth = population + resource consumption
65
Ecological Economics
- Looks for optimal population and economic activity which prioritizes sustainability rather than growth
66
Steady State Economics
- Coined by Herman Daly: economic growth leads to environmental degradation and wealth inequalities; advocates for balance between economic activity and ecological limits of earth
67
Ecological Economics: Marginal Costs and Benefits
- equate marginal costs to marginal benefits : what does it cost to produce 1 unit and is it worth it to acquire more based on the cost
- marginal costs increase with increasing production/control, thus, its better to do easy and cheap stuff first = cost effective analysis
- optimal allocation is when MB = MC, and this means that this equilibrium point is where the benefits of an additional unit is exactly worth its cost
68
MC and MB: Examples
- MB: additional satisfaction or gain obtained from producing/consuming an additional unit of something
- Ex. Conservation of one more acre of land
- MC: additional cost incurred from producing/consuming an additional unit of something
- Ex. Conservation of one more acre of land has a price which grows are more land is conserved
69
Economic Value of Environment
- Because of such limited resources, the environmental projects/policies that will be implemented must be the most cost and crisis effective
70
Willingness to Pay / Accept
- Willingness to Pay (WTP): maximum price a consumer is willing to pay (Ex. max income a family is willing to pay for env change)
- Willingness to Accept (WTA): the amount of compensation a consumer is willing to accept to give up environmental benefits
71
Supply and Demand Figure
- ↑Price, ↑Supply / ↓Price, ↓Supply: bottom to top
- ↑Price, ↓Demand / ↓Price, ↑Demand: top to bottom
- Market establishes equilibrium price when supply and demand are balanced
72
Hedonic Pricing
- measures the effect of environmental qualities on pricing
- analyzes market behavior, how much are people WTP for environmental privileges
- Ex: same houses in various locations (beside beach v. beside factories)
73
Contingent Valuation
- uses surveys to discover the WTP and WTA for unpriced goods and services (ENV features)
- hypothetical market which allows analysts to evaluate trends and potential market changes
74
Environmental Economics Summary
- environmental protection is costly, not many who are WTP
- the market does not protect/value the environment
- we need government policy/regulation
- to maximize env protection, understanding of environment and economics is needed
75
WK 5 Readings: The Hard Truths of Climate Change
- A study/collection of data that judges and rates countries individual climate change impacts: through greenhouse gas emissions, pollution rates, NDC commitments
- Total C02 per country: China, USA, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea
- Total C02 per capita: Saudi Arabia, USA, Canada, South Korea, Russia, Japan
76
WK 5 Reading: Climate Change Footprint
- study that discusses the broad impacts of climate change on ecosystems.
- uses charts to showcase impacts on community, physiology, genetics, phenology, etc.
- describes changes and impacts on various species and communties
77
Climate Change
- The warming of the land, seas, and atmosphere are a result of human activity
- Earth has been getting warmer due to solar radiation passing through the atmosphere into the planet
78
Greenhouse Effect
- The idea that the earth is like a greenhouse, and the atmosphere is the glass
- Heat is trapped inside the atmosphere, and reflected onto the planet
79
Causes of Climate Change
- human activity, capitalism, and industrialization produces greenhouse gases
- greenhouse gases in the atmosphere absorb infrared radiation = heat
- Some solar radiation from the sun is absorbed by the atmosphere and some reflect into space, but plenty is absorbed by greenhouse gases which then radiate the radiation back into the atmosphere, land, and oceans
80
Radiative Forcing: Positive Forcing
- increased energy entering the atmosphere
- atmosphere absorbs more solar energy = more heat and warming effect
81
Radiative Forcing
- what happens when the amount of energy that enters the earth's atmosphere is different from the energy that leaves it
- Positive and Negative Forcing
82
Examples of Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
- water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, ozone
83
Radiative Forcing: Negative Forcing
- reducing the energy in the atmosphere
- natural and human made efforts to reduce solar energy in the atmosphere
- spraying sulfur aerosols, volcanic eruptions, dark smog blocks heat
84
global warming potential (GWP)
- how much given mass of greenhouse gases contributes to global warming over a period of time compared to the same mass of C02 (carbon dioxide is the base gas)
- How to determine: examples are analysis of ice cores, tree rings, sedimentation, coral reefs, fossils
85
Causes of enhanced greenhouse effect
- what is the amount of GHG released and how potent is it? how long will it stay in the atmosphere?
- C02 is the most potent/has the strongest global warming potential
86
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) Assessment Report
- Third Report Findings (2001)
- Natural Forcing (natural processes that warm the earth) are not enough to create such traverse effect, thus it is undeniable that humans have impact on climate change
- It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere have occurred. (IPCC AR 5, 2014)
87
Distance and Angles between Earth and the Sun
Milankovitch Cycles (electrivity, obliquity, precession of the equinoxes): the earth's position and angle relative to the sun affect the warmth and heat experienced through the years
- may have affected heat waves and ice ages
88
Carbon Cycle
- the changes and movement of carbon across pools in the natural environment
- Atmosphere: holds 875 gigatonnes of carbon
- Forests/Soil: holds 610/1580 gigatonnes of carbon, respectively
- Surface ocean: holds 1020 gigatonnes of carbon
- Deep Ocean: holds 38,100 gigatonnes of carbon
- Fossil fuels: hold 5000 gigatonnes of carbon: 85% of world's traded energy and is remains of living organisms and concentrated energy
89
Carbon Fluxes
- The movement and usage of carbon across environmental pools
- Ex. photosynthesis, deforestation, vegetation regrowth, surface ocean to deep ocean movement, fossil fuel use
90
Impacts of Climate Change: Temperature Changes
- Average Global Temperature of 1.5C (enough to sustain)
- if we rise above 1.5C, many will be affected by rising sea levels, heat waves, ecosystem declines, climate risks, poverty and hunger
- polar amplification: polar regions will feel it by 3.0C = melting permafrost, rising sea level, melting ice caps, changing salt levels, loss of biodiversity, exposure to disease
91
IPCC Contributions
- acts as the leading body for climate change assessment
- employs scientists who study and compile environmental data to present to policy makers
- releases assessment reports every 5 years (starting in 1990)
92
Impacts of Climate Change: Extreme Weather
- earths radiative balance is off (amount of energy in the atmosphere that is used for natural warming processes)
- alters global temperatures and moisture levels
- impacts frequency and strength of natural disasters: ocean acidification, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires
93
Impacts of Climate Change: Ecological Effects
- every specie will be effected, no ecosystem is exempted
- some species will adapt to warm weather, but most need cooling
- at most risk: polar seas, corals, wetlands, tundras, mountains
- impact on the species, organism, population, and community level
94
Impacts of Climate Change: Agricultural Challenges
- Threat to food security and sovereignty
- flooding of land, pests and diseases are more prevalent, increased droughts and typhoon, changing growing seasons
- these all affect crop production and compromise agriculture as a livelihood
95
Impacts of Climate Change: Health Impacts
- melting ice caps can release frozen diseases and heat can amplify them: malaria, dengue, yellow fever, cholera, etc.
96
Managing Global Climate Change: Adaptation
- Adaptation: process of adjusting to current or expected effects of climate change
- Ex. building sea walls, developing heat resistant crops, improving water management, reevaluating infrastructure
97
Managing Global Climate Change: Mitigation
- Mitigation: efforts done to reduce or prevent climate change
- Ex. reduce GHG, switching to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, planting more trees, promoting electric vehicles, invest in geoengineering
98
Managing Global Climate Change: Climate Engineering / Geoengineering
- Climate Engineering / Geoengineering: process of engineering focused on carbon dioxide and solar radiation management
- Ex. cloud seeding to create artifical rain, sulfur aerosols as negative forcing, space mirrors to reflect heat
99
WK 6 Reading: Climate Action Tracker
- Ranks countries based on their climate initiatives
- Canada ranks overall insufficient in climate finance, NDC target, policies and action, and land use
100
WK 6 Reading: Climate Targets (Canada)
- Climate responsibilities / goals are shared across territories
- Pros: shared initiative and goals
- Cons: different ideologies cause conflict
101
WK 6 Reading: Carbon Tax
- Carbon Tax in Canada is a large issue: many are not WTP carbon tax, yet responsibility is also a concern
- Government should regulate this and bear responsibility, not the citizens
102
Climate Change Policy Milestones
- 1990: IPCC released their first Assessment Report
- 1992: UNFCCC (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) agreed to stabilize emissions at 1990 levels by 2000 in Rio Earth Summit
- 1997: Kyoto protocol was developed - a binding agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2% below 1990 levels by 2008-2012
- 2005: The Kyoto Protocol enters into force
- 2009: Copenhagen Accord (COP15) - a document detailing the emission reducing targets of various countries whilst focusing on adaptation
- 2015: Paris Agreement (COP21) - universally binding agreement that shares the same goal (majority of the world now collaborating)
- 2015: Canada submits INDC (intended nationally determined contribution) that states an economy wide target to reduce greenhouse gases by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030
- 2021: Canada ratified INDC by pledging to reduce greenhouse gases by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030
- 2023: COP28 is held in Dubai, very controversial considering UAE’s role in fuel
103
Emissions Gap
- G20 Members (first world countries who committed big on env action) are behind in delivering their commitments which. harms further third world countries
- NDCs (nationally determined contributions) are insufficient or just ignored
104
Emission Gap Graph
- shows the range of 2.0C and 1.5C, as well was the conditional and unconditional NDC scenarios which show the estimate level of GHG
105
Pan Canadian Framework
- Trudeau Administration established Carbon tax in 2016, where citizens would pay $10 per tonne a year, rising by $10 yearly till $50 cap = could go up to $170 a tonne in 2030
- Many OPPOSE this
106
Canada Carbon Rebate
- What most don't know is that there is a return for carbon tax, and most will receive more than they pay
- Ex. ON family of 4 pays $500 for carbon tax, but they receive back $900
