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Sustainability 100 > Exam 1 > Flashcards

Exam 1 Flashcards

1
Q

Scientific Theory

A
  • A set of rules that relate predicted outcomes from a model to actual outcomes.
  • A coherent group of propositions formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural world and repeatedly confirmed through experiment or observation:
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2
Q

Characteristics of a scientific theory

A
  • Based on observation
  • Always provisional : Based on the present, it could change later
  • Unique role of modification: If we find new data then we modify the model
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3
Q

Hypothesis

A

Tentative explanation of the observations and measurements. Must be meaningfully tested and/or observed.

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4
Q

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

A

Hypothetical number that measures fertility of the average group during child bearing years and its average number of babies the person has.

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5
Q

MDC

A

More developed country

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6
Q

LDC

A

Least developed country
ex. Afghanistan and Haiti.

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7
Q

Demography

A

The study of population

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8
Q

Dependency Ration

A
  • The average number of economically dependent population per 100 economically productive population, for a given country, territory, or geographic area, at a specific point in time
  • # of dependents (0-14 and 65+) / # of independents
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9
Q

Why is it important for sustainability to rely on the scientific method?

A
  • Coherent body of knowledge.
  • Exhibits some form of consensus because it’s all based on the scientific method which is the criteria for defining new knowledge.
  • Collaborating with others is critical to addressing issues more holistically.
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10
Q

Explain the idea of sustainability

A
  • Using only as much as we can replace
  • Energy and resources are moving in a regenerative cycle
  • Sustainable development: Involves an increase in quality of goods and services without quantitative growth in consumption or production. (How to develop without hurting the environment)
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11
Q

Definition of Sustainability

A
  • Systems and processes that can operate and persist over long periods of time.
  • Meeting the needs of each member of the biosphere without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
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12
Q

Explain the discipline of Sustainability

A
  • The study of dynamic and interconnected systems
  • Studying human response to challenges and opportunities that are emerging
  • Interdisciplinary (covers a wide array of subjects), this makes it a difficult discipline.
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13
Q

What are the three E’s

A

Environment, Economy, Equity

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14
Q

Explain Environment in the three E’s

A
  • Wetlands purify water, trees purify air, bees pollinate crops, provide food, recycle waste.
  • Ecosystem services: the benefits people obtain from ecosystems
  • Carrying Capacity :Number of people that crops can support environmental degradation. Depleting our plants’ natural capacity at 50% faster than we can replenish.
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15
Q

Explain Economics in the three E’s

A
  • Economic development and processes that improve quality of life for everyone without degrading natural resources.
  • We reap the benefits of growth from environmental degradation but condemn developing countries doing it now.
  • People choose sustainable options if: There is buy in. Basic needs are met. If solutions are available.
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16
Q

Explain Equity in the three E’s

A
  • Freedom from unhealthy living and providing opportunity for all.
  • Ethics: acknowledge responsibility to future generations.
  • Action: individual, communities, government
  • People will not support a system/change if they are unsupported or marginalized by that system.
17
Q

What has increased population lead to

A
  • Because of the higher population we are forced to evaluate how we are using resources and how rapidly we are using them.
  • The higher population puts more importance on how we use resources, available options, and why people make the choices they do.
18
Q

Local vs. Global impact

A
  • People (the rich) tend to protect resources close to home… but they will pull resources from afar.
  • Collaborating with others is critical to addressing issues more holistically.
  • The rich have a higher demand for quality (landfill not near rich)
19
Q

IPAT relationship

A
  • Impact = Population x Affluence x Tech
  • > population = > impact
  • > affluence = > consumption, demand, choices, impact
  • > tech = > extraction rates, innovation, green options
20
Q

How has the population grown and where is it growing?

A

The population is growing and this is primarily in less developed countries.

But the growth rate ((births-deaths)/total pop.) is decreasing because of a decreased birth rate.

21
Q

What are the patterns of where people live.

A

Near water and resources .

22
Q

What is the demographic transition theory and what are the stages

A
  • How the population has changed over time
  • Stage 1 (pre industrial): Wild fluctuation, not a lot of population growth because of poor sanitation.
  • Stage 2 (transitional): Birth rate stays, but death drops, so population grows.
  • Stage 3 (industrial): Drop in birth rate, death stays same, cultural lag (space between birth and death)=population lag.
  • Stage 4 (Postindustrial): Equal births and death = very little growth
  • Stage 5: Births < Death, negative growth, population crisis
23
Q

Examples of lower stage countries

A

Bolivia, Paraguay, Mongolia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Chad

24
Q

Examples of Later stage countries

A

USA, Russia, France, Spain, China, Canada, and Germany

25
Q

How does TFR relate to a population pyramid shape. What are the shapes for growth, stability, decrease, or crisis.

A
  • TFR= total fertility rate= is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime
  • Triangle = Growing
  • Square w triangle on top = Stable
  • Octagon w triangle on top = Decreasing
  • Upside down triangle = Crisis
26
Q

Malthus Beliefs

A
  • We should think about carrying capacity.
  • Population is gonna grow and we’re gonna run out of food
  • Proponent for birth control
  • Didn’t account for advancements in tech
26
Q

Malthus Beliefs

A
  • We should think about carrying capacity.
  • Population is gonna grow and we’re gonna run out of food
  • Proponent for birth control
  • Didn’t account for advancements in tech
27
Q

Boserup Beliefs

A
  • Agricultural economist
  • Food can grow with population if advancements are made in tech
  • Invent ways to avoid malthusian cycle

Sustainability 100 (1 decks)

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