Foundation - 1.3 Sustainability Flashcards
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Three pillars of sustainability
- environmental
- social
- economic
Sustainability
A measure of the extent to which practices allow for the long-term viability of a system
* refer to the responsible maintenance of socio-ecological systems such that there is no diminishment of conditions for future generations
Examples of ways to achieve environmental sustainability (name 3)
- resource management
- pollution control
- biodiversity conservation
- active regeneration
- ecosystem services
- long-term perspectives
Examples of ways to achieve social sustainability (name 3)
- community development
- cultural preservation
- health and education
Examples of ways to achieve economic sustainability
- resource efficiency
- long-term planning
- equitable growth
Sustainable development
A concept that aims to balance economic, social and environmental factors
* to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
Requirements of sustainable development (3)
- cooperation and involvement
- long-term perspective
- commitment to understanding complexities
Examples of sustainable development (3)
- use of renewable energy sources
- sustainable agriculture (minimise negative impacts)
- sustainable urban planning (create cities that are more liveable, efficient and environmentally friendly)
Consequences of unsustainable exploitation of natural resources
Poses significant threats to ecosystems and human-wellbeing
* can lead to irreversable damage and ecosystem collapse
Evaluation of economic indictors
Common indicators of economic development, such as gross domestic product (GDP), neglect the value of natural systems and may lead to unsustainable development.
Why is GDP not a good measure of sustainability?
Does not account for depletion of natural resources or costs of environmental degradation
* lead to prioritisation of short-term economic gains over long-term growth
Green GDP
Adjusts traditional GDP calculations by accounting for environmental costs and depletion of natural resources
* more accurate measure of economic growth
Environmental justice
The right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment, and to have equitable access to natural resources, regardless of issues such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, nationality.
In the example of water, how are inequalities prevalent?
- Some communities cannot afford reliable access to clean water or electricity
- Privatisation of water sources can make this issue worse, leading to higher costs and unequal access
BONUS: In India, rural communities often struggle to afford electricity, limiting job opportunities and opportunities for development
Environmental injustice
Environmental injustice refers to the unequal distribution of environmental burdens and benefits, often due to factors such as race, class, or other social factors
* In general, environmental injustice increases existing social inequalities and undermines human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations
3 examples of environmental injustice on a local scale
- The presence of hazardous facilities such as landfills, incinerators, or industrial plants in or near to low-income or minority neighbourhoods
- Pollution hotspots mainly harm poorer communities, causing health problems
- Lack of access to clean water, safe housing, or green spaces in economically disadvantaged areas
3 Examples of environmental injustice on a global scale
- Exploitation of natural resources in developing countries by multinational corporations, leading to environmental degradation and displacement of Indigenous communities
- Export of general or hazardous waste from wealthier nations to poorer countries, exposing vulnerable populations to health risks
- Climate change impacts disproportionately affecting low-income countries and communities with limited resources to adapt or mitigate
Two scales of the application of sustainability and environmental justice
- Individual scale (personal actions)
- Global scale (international efforts)
Sustainable indicators
Quantitative measures used to assess various aspects of sustainability
* specidy biodiversity, pollution, human population, climate change etc.
Ecological footprint
A theoretical concept that acts as a valuable tool used to assess the environmental impact of human populations
* quantifies area of land and water required to support a specific population at a particular standard of living
* measured in global hectares per capita per unit time
Examples of the use of EF
If the EF of a lifestyle, business or country exceeds the area available to the population (also known as the biocapacity—the amount of resources that the planet can provide sustainably), it means that it is not sustainable in the long-term
* UK: the ecological footprint is estimated to be about 4.2 global hectares (gha) per person per year
* biocapacity is only around 1.7 gha per person per year, indicating that the UK population is living unsustainably
How to reduce EF?
Adopt more sustainable practices, such as reducing meat consumption, using renewable energy sources and using public transport or walking instead of driving
Other sustainable indicators (name 3)
- Carbon footprint (amount of greenhouse gases produced per capita)
- Water footprints (amount of water used directly or indirectly to produce a good or service)
- Air quality index (based on communities)
- Urban Tree Canopy Coverage
Biocapacity
The capacity of a given biologically productive area to generate an ongoing supply of renewable resources and to absorb its resulting wastes.