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.
Citizen science
Member of the public participating in scientific research projects contributing data, observations or resources
* Plays a role in monitoring Earth systems and whether resources are being used sustainably
Local relevance of citizen science (include case study)
Citizen science projects are often used to gather data relevant to local environmental issues and conditions
* For example, the UK’s Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network engages citizens in monitoring air and water quality, biodiversity and climate change impacts in their local areas
Global impact of citizen science
Data collected through citizen science initiatives can also contribute significantly to research on more global-scale environmental issues
* For example, the Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Programme involves students and citizens worldwide in collecting and sharing environmental data, contributing to our understanding of global climate patterns
How does citizen science complement professional research?
Citizen science projects can complement traditional scientific research by engaging a larger pool of participants and increasing data collection capacity
* For example, the UK Ladybird Survey uses citizen scientists from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to monitor ladybird populations, aiding researchers in studying the impact of invasive species and climate change on native biodiversity
How does citizen science givediverse data collection
Citizen scientists provide valuable insights due to their varied backgrounds, locations and perspectives, contributing to more comprehensive datasets
* For example, the UK “Bioblitz” events bring together scientists and the public to survey and record species in specific areas, enhancing our understanding of local biodiversity
Sustainable Development Goals
The SDG model consists of 17 goals and 169 targets covering various aspects of sustainable development
* The SDGs provide both a target for sustainable development and a metric to measure the progress made
Advantages of the SDGs (name 2)
Common ground for policymaking:
The SDGs provide a shared agenda for governments, organisations (NGOs and IGOs) and communities to develop policies and initiatives
Global relevance:
The SDGs are applicable to both developed and developing countries, encouraging a universal approach to sustainability
Galvanising the international community:
The SDGs encourage collaboration and collective action among nations and stakeholders to address economic and social inequalities
Limitations of the SDGs (name 3)
Insufficient ambition:
Criticisms suggests that the SDGs do not go far enough in addressing the magnitude of global challenges
Top-down approach:
Some argue that the SDGs are bureaucratic and fail to adequately involve local communities in decision-making processes
Ignoring local contexts:
The SDGs may overlook the unique socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts of different regions
Insufficient ambition:
Criticisms suggests that the SDGs do not go far enough in addressing the magnitude of global challenges
Top-down approach:
Some argue that the SDGs are bureaucratic and fail to adequately involve local communities in decision-making processes
Ignoring local contexts:
The SDGs may overlook the unique socio-cultural, economic and environmental contexts of different regions
Data deficiency:
The lack of comprehensive and accurate data hinders monitoring and evaluation of progress towards achieving the SDGs
Planetary boundaries model
The planetary boundaries model outlines nine critical processes and systems that have regulated the stability and resilience of the Earth system during the Holocene epoch
* scientists created it to specify ecological systems on Earth within which humanity could operate safely
Planetary boundaries (9)
- climate change
- erosion of biosphere integrity (biodiversity loss)
- biogeochemical flows (nitrogen and phosphorus cycles)
- stratospheric ozone depletion
- ocean acidification
- freshwater use
- land system change
- chemical pollution
- atmospheric aerosol loading
Advantages of planetary boundary model (3)
Identifies science-based limits:
Provides clear boundaries based on scientific understanding of Earth systems
Highlights need for comprehensive action:
Shifts focus beyond climate change (which dominates current discussion) to address other critical environmental issues
Raises awareness:
Alerts the public and policymakers about the urgency of protecting Earth’s systems
Limitations of planetary boundary model
Ignores societal factors:
It focuses only on ecological systems and does not consider the human dimension necessary to take action for environmental justice
Work in progress:
Assessments of boundaries are constantly changing as new data becomes available
Global focus may not suit local action:
Boundaries may not align with local or national priorities, making necessary actions challenging to implement at these smaller scales
Doughnut Economics Model
The doughnut economics model provides a framework for building an economy that meets the needs of all people while staying within the ecological limits of the planet
* emphasises importance of creating a regenerative and distributive economy
Regenerative economy
A regenerative economy is one that works within the natural cycles and limits of the planet
* aims to restore and renew resources
Distributive economy
A distributive economy is one that shares value and opportunities more equitably among all stakeholders
* aims to reduce inequality and ensure fair distribution of resources
Social foundation
Inner ring of doughnut model
* represents minimum standards for human-wellbeing, healthcare and social protection
Ecological ceiling
Outer ring
* reprsenents limits of the Earth’s ecosystem and resources
Advantages of doughnut economic model (name 3)
- supports environmental justice
- raises awareness
- applied at varius scales
- promotes interdisciplinary collaboration
Limitations of doughnut economic model (3)
- lacks specificity
- challenges in application
- changing nature
Circular economy model
The circular economy model is a sustainable economic system designed to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency
* aims to decouple (allow growth without using up all of Earth’s limited natural resources) economic growth from the consumption of finite resouces
Main principles (3)
- eliminating waste and pollution
- circulating products and materials
- regenerating nature
Advantages of CEM (name 3)
- regeneration of natural systems
- reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
- improvement of local food networks and support of local communities
- reduction of waste by extending the product life cycle
- changed consumer habits
Limitations of CEM (name 3)
- lack of environmental awareness by consumers and companies
- lack of regulations enforcing the recycling of products
- some waste is not recyclable (technical limitations)
- lack of finance
