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Global Sustainability Flashcards

1
Q

What is sustainability?

A

The capacity of the environment to continue to support our lives and the lives of other living creatures into the future

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2
Q

What is sustainable development?

A

a process of economic and social change designed to produce an environmentally sustainable economy and a just society

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3
Q

What is the economic pillar of sustainability?

A
  • standards of living
  • economic growth
  • environmental costs
  • profits
  • waste management
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4
Q

What is the environmental pillar of sustainability?

A
  • renewable resources
  • rational use of resources
  • water, land, air
  • eco-friendly
  • biodiversity & genetic diversity
  • clean energy
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5
Q

What is the social pillar of sustainability?

A
  • inclusivity
  • cohesion
  • equality
  • relationships
  • wellbeing
  • peace
  • human rights
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6
Q

What is the cultural pillar of sustainability?

A
  • diveristy
  • peaceful co-existence
  • innovation
  • creativity
  • access to diverse beliefs, opinions, values, experiences, and practices
  • intellectual, emotional, and spiritual prosperity
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7
Q

What is a golden spike?

A
  • A spot in the geological record where proof of a global transformation is perfectly preserved
  • e.g. the sudden spike in radioactive plutonium from nuclear weapons testing & fly ash from fossil fuels in Crawford Lake marks the Anthropocene
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8
Q

What is a global forum?

A

A network of policymakers and interest groups that collaborate to solve a problem that requires a global solution

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9
Q

What is an intergovernmental initiative?

A

at least two governments work together to solve problems or progress discussions about issues of global interest

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10
Q

What are the levels of action from largest to smallest?

A
  1. Global scale - UN SDGS, global forums
  2. International scale - Rainforest alliance, corporations, NGOs
  3. National scale - Ozharvest, federal Governments, NGOs, corporation
  4. State - NSW Energy Savings Scheme, state governments, NGOs
  5. Regional - Council government, NGOs, community organisations, individuals
  6. Local - Community organisations, individuals
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11
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of the United Nations SDGs?

A

Opportunities:
* aims for global sustainability
* develops international partnerships
* holds countries accountable for following/not following treaties

Challenges:
* inability to enforce SDGs
* lack of ability to enforce repercussions for breaking treaties
* UN cannot intervene in domestic matter
* peacekeeping can be difficult to remain impartial to certain countries
* geopolitical rivalry can hinder responses to global issues by conflicting countries

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12
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of intergovernmental organisations?

A

Opportunities:
* discuss issues of global sustainability
* develops international/interstate partnerships
* hold state/federal authority
* allows for resource sharing and cooperations

Challenges:
* Overcoming personal interests and priorities for the common good
* membership is limited - residents and citizens not included
* different laws and regulations in different countries
* success is largely determined by member state’s willingness to cooperate and contribute

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13
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of governments when achieving sustainability?

A

Opportunities:
* discusses issues specific to the country’s needs
* develops interstate partnerships
* hold state/federal authority
* usually democratic - take into account wants/needs of citizens

Challenges:
* Overcoming personal interests and priorities for the good of the people
* often influenced by investors/big business as a result of bribery or lobbying
* only includes wants/needs of citizens, not residents living in the country
* funding is limited to the country’s GDP

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14
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of corporations when achieving sustainability?

A

Opportunities:
* often have impacts in multiple countries/states
* can be uninfluenced by governments, able to make their own decisions
* demonstrate action through work with external initiatives who monitor company

Challenges:
* Profit is often valued over people and the environment
* often influenced by investors with their own wants and needs as a result of bribery or lobbying
* often not required to uphold sustainable practices by governments
* lack of repercussions for unsustainable practices by government who receive profit from company

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15
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of NGOs when achieving sustainability?

A

Opportunities:
* not influenced by governments
* can be non-profit, focusing on common good over money
* can be global or place-specific issues
* develop local/community partnerships
* often required to maintain transparency
* work closely with local communities, understanding their needs and concerns

Challenges:
* limited funding and resources
* donors may have personal agendas and priorities, influencing the NGO
* often short-term relief efforts
* some NGOs are viewed as a threat by governments, e.g. Russia labeled many foreign-funded NGOs as “foreign agents,” such as Memorial (human rights)
* NGOs may inadvertently impose their values and solutions on communities without understanding their culture e.g. Samaritan’s Purse and World Vision (Evangelical)
* rely on volunteers

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16
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of community/grassroots organisations when achieving sustainability?

A

Opportunities:
* not influenced by governments
* often non-profit, focusing on common good over money
* focus on place-specific issues
* develop local/community partnerships
* work with local people, understanding their needs and concerns
* can voice community concerns to local/council government
* often more effective & successful - crucial for achieving national targets

Challenges:
* limited funding and resources
* lack influence, often local scale
* lack ability to majorly influence global sustainability
* lack ability to influence major governments
* rely on volunteers

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17
Q

What are opportunities and challenges of individual action when achieving sustainability?

A

Opportunities:
* not influenced by organisation’s wants or needs
* able to contribute to sustainability in ways that are cheap and easily achievable
* can grow into community efforts
* focuses on personal needs and concerns for environment
* can voice concerns to local council

Challenges:
* lack influence outside of friends/family and local community
* lack funding for local initiatives
* while it is good to be sustainable, without many people doing it it doesn’t influence global sustainability
* often prioritise personal wants over sustainable practices

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18
Q

What are the four principles of ecologically sustainable devlopment?

A
  • Precautionary principle
  • Intergenerational equity
  • Conservation of biodiversity
  • Ecological integrity
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19
Q

What is the precautionary principle?

A

recognises the limits of science to identify potential damage to the environment, and mitigates these risks

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20
Q

What is intergenerational equity?

A

ensures health, diversity, and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations

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21
Q

What is conservation of biodiversity and ecological integrity?

A

maintains multi-species diversity across gene pools, ecosystems, and within species populations

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22
Q

Why is it important to evaluate and monitor sustainability initiatives?

A
  • to track the progress and short-term and long-term effects of initiatives
  • evaluate the success or failure of initiatives and make this available to the public
  • policy awareness - ensures the initiative is being socially/environmentally responsible
  • Resource management
  • ecosystem health
  • intergenerational equity
  • informed decision-making
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23
Q

What are factors commonly assessed during evaluation of economic activities?

A

Environmentally Viable
* Resource consumption (renewable vs non renewable)
* waste production & pollution
* biodiversity effects
* efficiency
* strategies for reducing environmental impact

Economically feasible
* long term economic sustainability
* resilience to economic fluctuations
* potential for job creation and local economic development
* compliance with environmental regulations, industry standards, and certifications

Socially Equitable
* effect on communities & minorities
* labour practices
* community engagement & local benefits

Culturally Sensitive
* threat to cultural sites, traditions, and practices
* Indigenous and local rights
* exploitative or disrespectful practices
* incorporation of local traditional knowledge and practices
* intergenerational impact

THINK: Four pillars of sustainability

24
Q

What are examples of criteria used for evaluating the sustainability of economic activities?

A
  • four pillars of sustainability
  • four principles of ESD
  • environmental impact statements
  • UNSDGs
  • Certifications (e.g. Rainforest Alliance, Eco tourism certification)
  • Circular economy
  • Supply chain analysis
  • Footprints
  • SWOT (Strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats)
  • The Peg - Winnipeg, Canda
25
What is The Peg?
* Community-developed indicator system in Winnipeg, Canda * Examines, monitors, and reports on environmental, economic, & socio-cultural factors * Holistic understanding of wellbeing
26
What are the opportunities and challenges of external influences on sustainability planning and decision-making?
* external influences can be used to make more informed and holistic decisions * these influences can also hinder sustainable development due to political or economic needs and technological restrictions e.g. Sustainability assessment of Darling River depends on influences of: * political, economic, and technological decision-making about water regulation, irrigation, allocation, and flow * effect of political decisions on Aboriginal water rights * outcomes of environmental conditions such as drought, flood, salinity, algae, and biodiversity loss * effect of lobbying and protests from traditional owners and local community members * local's ability to thrive socially, culturally, and economically depend on water levels in catchment and health of river
27
What are international agreements and protocols?
* international protocols are a type of agreement * e.g. Rio Declaration on Environment and Development agreement declare principles on the environment and development, such as the sustainable management, conservation and development of forests * e.g. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer regulates production and consumption of human-made chemicals that deplete ozone layer - successful
28
What is international cooperation?
When governments and institutions develop common standards and create programs that can be applied to and implemented beyond more than one country and society
29
Why is international cooperation important?
* ensures support for plans of areas of global concern * generates and disseminates knowledge about how to approach a global concern * e.g. the UN
30
What does stewardship mean?
* refers to deep responsibility and active caretaking of the land, water, and all living beings within a specific territory * encompasses practices or sustainable management of resources to ensure the well-being of future generations
31
What is cultural burning for?
* Prevention of bushfires * Teaching understanding about responsibility for Country (plants, animal, soil, water, and weather) * Promote growth of grasses * Maintains cultural protocols
32
How is cultural burning sustainable?
* Mosaic pattern allows animals to pass through ecosystems * Advanced knowledge on the complex nature of ecosystems and animal habitats to prevent overburning and loss of control * Practices vary across ecosystems, habitats, and cultures * Assessment for Country occurs through seasonal indicators, daily living practices, and protocols associated with kinship systems * Needs of neighbouring clans and language groups are considered * Permission is sought from knowledge-holders/elders
33
Why is modern burning unsustainable?
* Burning in a straight line does not allow animals to escape * A lack of knowledge of wind cycles increases the chances of uncontrollable bushfires * Instead of fire sticks we use drip torches which have many hazards, including flaming fuel, personal burns, flash back or explosion * In 2019-2020, bushfires killed or displaced nearly 3 billion animals
34
What are totems?
* A natural object, plant or animal that is inherited by members of a Clan or family as their spiritual emblem * Clan groups have caretaking responsibilities for their totems * Groups are forbidden from killing, harming, or eating their totems
35
How are totems sustainable?
* Groups could not eat their totems - protected animals and plants from overconsumption * Totems provided spiritual guidance and improved cultural wellbeing * Symbolise roles and responsibilities to each other and connection to the earth - cultural sustainability, connect people back to their group’s original heritage and roles * Believed to be descendants of heroes from The Dreaming - pass down Indigenous history and stories
36
What are examples of sustainable development?
Central Park, Chippendale, Sydney * mixed-use towers with residential & retail spaces * collects & reuses rainwater, hanging gardens, low-carbon power plant, internal water recycling plant Supertrees - Singapore's Gardens by the Bay * covered in vegetation with solar panels to harvest energy for lighting the Supertrees at night * some are integrated with adjacent conservatories to serve as air-exhaust outlets
37
What is an example of successfully achieving sustainability?
The Netherlands' green public transport: * all passenger trains have used sustainable energy since 2017 * all new buses from 2025 use 100% renewable energy with a goal for all buses to be emission-free by 2030 * extensive and well-maintained bike paths promote cycling * displays long-term and organised planning for social and environmental sustainability * these plans are nonpartisan initiatives - ensures continuity of sustainable transport development regardless of which political party holds power
38
What are the pros of banana production sustainability?
* composting organic waste - reduce methane emissions & improves soil health * using recyclable/biodegradable packing materials - reduce emissions & landfill * extremely important for economy - generated almost $600m in 2020 in Australia * Makes money for small farmers and businesses * generates employment * easy and cheap to grow - provides food security
39
What are the cons of banana production sustainability?
* grown in monocultures - ↓ biodiversity, highly susceptible to Panama disease & economic losses * 5 companies control 80% of international trade - worker exploitation * water baths to dislodge insects and debris * high water footprint - 560L needed for 1 kilo * water scarcity - surface & groundwater used for irrigation * soil erosion and loss of fertility * energy used to control temperature in transport * developing countries that export bananas are vulnerable to periodic economic crises, high foreign debt, low export prices, and over-production * destruction of tropical rainforests & exploitation of traditional land * excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers * poor worker conditions and pay
40
What are some strategies that can be used for sustainability of banana production?
* Organic farming (no fertilisers or pesticides) * Reduced pesticide use * Ensuring fair wages and safe working conditions * Rights for workers * Rainwater harvesting * Using leftover bananas as fertiliser * Efficient drip irrigation and sprinkler systems * Soil conservation and mulching - improves soil conditions * Adopting traditional cultural practices * Adhering to voluntary certification schemes (e.g. Voluntary Sustainability Standards, Rainforest Alliance, Organic, Fairtrade, Global GAP)
41
How effective is it for banana companies to adhere to voluntary certification schemes?
Positive: * Consumer demands for transparent supply chains encourage registration * Third-party entity - less external biases * Evaluates sustainability using pretermined criteria * Recognition of achievements encourages businesses * Improves market access * Allows producers to enter premium markets e.g. Europe and North America * Improves worker's rights * Lessens negative environmental impact * Reduced chemical use * Improves credibility and trust Negative: * Higher costs - labour, fees, annual renewal * Voluntary - there is no way to enforce it * Difficult for small producers & farmers to adhere * Some schemes offer certification with minimal real impact * Often doesn't consider social or cultural conditions
42
Where are most bananas produced?
* India (24%) * Brazil, China, Philippines (9%) * Ecuador (8%) * Indonesia (6%) * Mexico, Costa Rica (3%) * 95% grown in developing countries
43
Where are most bananas exported from?
1. Ecuador (29%) 2. Costa Rica (13%) 3. Philippines (12%) 4. Colombia (10%) 5. Guatemala (7%)
44
Where are most bananas imported?
* Europe * North America * Japan * These make up over 70% of world total banana imports * Top 3 countries - USA (26%), Germany (13%), and Japan (7%)
45
What are some economic influences on global economic activity of banana production?
* One of biggest profit makers in supermarkets * Most popular exported fruit * important for economic security - worth ~$39 billion AUD globally * important source of income & employment for exporting, developing countries * most exporters/producers are very poor & lack money - companies can get away with paying them little * volatile prices due to market demand, trade policies, and competition
46
What are some political influences on global economic activity of banana production?
* most exporters/producers are very poor & lack formal education - companies can get away with paying them little, they have little knowledge on their rights * social outrage over worker's rights and environmental impact * volatile prices due to market demand, trade policies, and competition * trade policies and tariffs negatively impact banana exports
47
What are some biophysical influences on global economic activity of banana production?
* threat of Panama disease causes distrust in banana imports (Australia does not import any bananas) * site, soils, rainfall, temperature, pests, and diseases influence trade & spatial distribution * prices can be volatile after natural disasters * increasing temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events - reduces productivity * climate change
48
What are some technological influences on global economic activity of banana production?
* precisison agriculture, drones, data analytics used to enhance productivity, monitor crop health, optimise supply chains * biotechnology and GM bananas resistant to fungal diseases * innovation in transportation - refridgeration, ripening, and containerisation * enhancing supply chain efficiency and effectiveness - improved transport time, reduced disruptions, less food waste
49
What are some current trends of global economic activity of banana production?
* monoculture * poor labour conditions - low wages & unsafe practices * pressure on companies and government to adopt sustainable practices & transparency in supply chain * technological advancements in enhanced productivity, crop health, optimal supply chains, and biotechnology * increasing public awareness on environmental and social issues * volatile prices - farmers exploring new markets and diversifying products (e.g. banana chips, puree) * trade policies & tariffs negatively impact exports * climate change - changes in weather
50
What are some future directions of global economic activity of banana production?
* investment in research for disease-resistant bananas * loss in biodiversity from habitat loss * improvements in transportation technology * improved supply chain efficiency & effectiveness * efforts to educate consumers of sustainability & ethics * demand for more sustainable farming * increased climate change
51
What are some UN SDGs that relate to farming practices?
* SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production * SDG 13 - Climate action * SDG 15 - Life on Land * SDG 17 - Partnerships for the goals
52
How does SDG 12 relate to farming?
related to waste, pesticide use, water consumption, and carbon emissions
53
How does SDG 13 relate to farming?
reducing emissions and water and energy consumption
54
How does SDG 15 relate to farming?
relates to land degradation & deforestation, pesticide use, and harm caused to land ecosystems
55
How does SDG 17 relate to farming?
initiatives such as the Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade provide platforms for collaboration between govs, producers, businesses, NGOs, and consumers

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