Exam Questions Flashcards
Monocultures of the Mind - Vandana Shiva
The term refers to the dominance of a single perspective, idea or way of thinking which underestimates the diversity of knowledge systems, cultures and ecological practices. This mindset is seen as Western industrial agriculture harms biodiversity and ignores traditional sustainable methods.
It is significant to sustaining the future by highlighting the need to value and preserve ecological and cultural diversity to achieve sustainability - to do this we need to move away from monocultures, mentally and practically, to embrace localized approaches that promote biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge and ensure food supply.
Biocides - Rachel Carson, Silent Spring
The term refers to chemical substances such as pesticides and herbicides designed to kill organisms in agriculture that prevent farmers from producing high yield. The widespread use of these biocides are harming the ecosystems by becoming run off, harming non-target species, and leading to long term harm to ecosystems and humans.-
This term is significant because it highlights the need for sustainable pest control methods that work with nature rather than against to ensure the health of future generations of humans and species
Industrialization of Agriculture
This term refers to the shift toward large scale and mechanized farming that highly prioritizes efficiency, profit and yield over ecological and ethical aspects. This approach of agriculture often leads to the mistreatment of animals such as overcrowding as it only focuses on the short term gains over long term health.
This is significant because it raises lots of ethical concerns about animal welfare but also contributes to the environmental issues such as water pollution, GHG emissions and loss of biodiversity. This calls for a systemic change toward agriculture that values ethical treatment for animals, food security and environmental stewardship.
Liberation from Social and Environmental Injustice - Stephen Scharper
Liberation = getting freedom from systems of oppression, inequality and harm, in the term of environment and social injustice it means to break free from the structures that exploit people and degrade ecosystems - to ensure fairness dignity and sustainability for everyone
This concept refers to the deep connection between social and environmental justice, emphasizing that true liberation requires addressing marginalized communities and the planet.
This is majorly significant because it allows us to learn and become aware that people in poverty are often forced to partake in unsustainable practices for survival which cause pollution and the degradation of ecosystems. Scharper argues that the poor and maintaining ecological stewardship are linked and to change one, you need to change both. This is significant because it can give us a core solution to two major issues today.
Gaia Theory - James Lovelock and Tim Lenton
The gaia theory proposed by James Lovelock and was later expanded by Tim Lenton, suggest that earth it self functions as a self-regulating system where organisms interact with their environment to maintain the climate, oxygen levels, cycling nutrients and etc.
This theory is significant for pursuing a sustainable and just future because it emphasizes the importance of viewing earth as an interconnectedness system. By understanding the impacts that humans have on the balance, the theory encourages us to adopt sustainable practices that respect natural processes and work towards harmony
Gaia as a metaphor
The metaphor Gaia represents Earth as a living organism where all components such as land, water, atmosphere and living organisms work together like parts of a single body to sustain life. It is to see humanity as a part of a larger whole rather than dominant over nature.
The metaphor is significant and powerful because it shifts our perspective from seeing the earth as a resource to exploit to viewing it as a living interconnected system that requires respect, care and balance. This guides us to a sustainable future where the wellbeing of both people and planet is prioritized
Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic
The land ethic is a chapter in a his book
The land ethic calls for an ethical and caring relationship between humans and the land, considering the soils, water, plants, animals and ecosystems as one big community. The ethic urges for our actions to preserve integrity, stability, and the beauty of the natural world.
The land ethic is significant to sustainability because it challenges mindset that drives environmental degradation and promotes a sense of responsibility for maintaining the health of ecosystems. By encouraging stewardship and respect, Leopold’s vision is significant as it inspires practises that align with ecological balance between humans, future generations and the earth.
Steady-State or No-Growth Economics - Peter Victor
This phrase refers to an economic system that prioritizes and maintains stable resource consumption, production, and balance of human needs and the earths ecological limits. Instead of focusing on GDP growth this model focuses on sustainability, well being and equitable distribution.
The significance of steady-state economics is identifying the root cause of the ecological crises and promotes a resilient and sustainable society that is within the ecological boundaries of the planet.
Green Growth - Peter Victor
This term refers to economic development while maintaining environmental sustainability. It focuses on progressing economically while also making sure not to deplete natural resources or cause harm to the environment. This approach combines renewable energy, efficient use of resources and sustainable practices into economic policies and strategies.
The significance of green growth is that it provides a framework for conveying environmental challenges like climate change while encouraging social equity and economic opportunities
Decoupling and the Rebound Effect - Peter Victor
Decoupling refers to the idea of separating economic growth from environmental harm, and to aim to reduce the amount of resources we use + emissions (GHGs) while we have a large growth in the economy/population.
Rebound Effect: highlights a challenge of efficiency gains from decoupling often lead to increased consumption, offsetting environmental benefits - EX: more fuel efficient cars might encourage more driving)
It is significant to the sustainability of the future because it underscores the limitations of relying solely on technological improvements for sustainability. While technological improvements can reduce environmental harm, they are not sufficient on their own because increased efficiency often leads to high consumption - neglecting the benefits of this whole thing - this highlights the needs for systemic changes, like defining prosperity, shifting consumption patterns and addressing the root causes of this ecological crisis.
The Honourable Harvest - Kimmerer
The honourable harvest refers to a set of principles and ethics for interacting with the environment in a respectful and sustainable way. It emphasizes gratitude and ensures only the resources that are needed are taken and that we’re not overconsuming and giving back to the Earth.
Key principles are never taking the first or last, taking only what you need and leaving enough for others, harvesting in a way that minimizes harm and offering gratitude and giving back in some form.
This concept is significant because it encourages an ethical relationship with nature and challenges harmful practices driven by consumerism. It combines ecological sustainability with Indigenous wisdom and promotes balance and fairness for both the environment and future generations.
Deborah McGregor’s Indigenous concept of being part of nature
McGregor uses chocolates to illustrate the Indigenous view that humans are not separate from nature but are an important part of it. Her idea challenges the western perspective of humans as dominators of nature and instead, frames the relationship as one of interconnectedness and respect.
In the video, she uses chocolates to explain the perspective of Indigenous knowledge systems. Each piece of chocolate represents elements of nature and their arrangement represents their interconnectedness. The same way each chocolate contributes to the whole, all beings and systems in nature are interdependent, including humans.
This concept is significant because it creates a shift in our mindsets from exploiting resources to seeing ourselves coexisting
Greek Concept of Paideia - David Orr
It is about educating people in a way that shapes their character, values, and sense of responsibility to their community. Its not just about learning facts, but to become a well rounded, engaged, ethical citizen. No student should be graduating without the knowledge of ecology, carrying capacity, limits to technology, sustainable agriculture, thermodynamics and environmental ethics.
This is significant because it is focused on holistic education, aiming to shape an intellect human but with morals, ethics, and civic responsibilities. It is preparing people to contribute and give back to the environment and community.
Significance of educating girls - Drawdown
In drawdown, education for girls is seen as one of the most critical solutions to fight climate change and it refers to making sure girls have access to quality education all over the world, which will help them to make informed decisions in their future.
Educating girls is seen as a solution to climate change since it reduces population growth by allowing women to make their own decision about having kids, leading to smaller family sizes. This results in lowered pressure on natural resources which reduces greenhouse gas emissions
This is significant because it discusses both social and environmental issues at the same time. As well, it focuses on targeting gender equality, reduces poverty and creates leadership roles for women.
Scharper’s Anthropoharmonic ethic
Scharper refers to an ethical framework where humans desire to live in peace with the environment. Instead of dominating nature, this ethic focuses on balance and interconnectedness between humans and the environment, and says that humans should coexist with nature.
This concept is significant because it challenges anthropocentric views and focuses on ecological responsibility. By implementing this ethic, society can develop systems that promote the well-being of the environment along with the needs of humans to create a balanced relationship with the Earth.
