Intro To Sustainability Flashcards
What is sustainability?
Meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What does EESG stand for?
Economic Environmental Social Government Reporting
- to provide transparency and demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices.
Is coal a sustainable resource?
No, coal is nonrenewable and coal mining lessens resources, making it not sustainable.
Example: coal is nonrenewable.
Is wind a sustainable resource?
Yes, wind is sustainable.
What significant event occurred in 1945 related to sustainability?
The end of World War II with the realization that the world needs to be saved.
Birth of sustainability
What was the Bretton Woods Agreement? Highlights
1945 to 1970 A new international monetary system
–> currency pegging of the US dollar convertible to gold.
–> IMF
–> WB
What is the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
To promote monetary international cooperation and stability in exchange rates.
What is the purpose of the World Bank?
To provide assistance to developing countries.
What marked the end of the Bretton Woods system?
President Richard Nixon announced that gold and silver are no longer exchangeable with US currency.
What is ‘Silent Spring’?
Environmental science book by Rachel Carson published in 1962 that raised public awareness about the detrimental effects of pesticides.
What pesticide was notably discussed in ‘Silent Spring’?
DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane).
What conflict does ‘Silent Spring’ highlight?
The conflict between corporations, politics, and society regarding pesticide use.
What was the outcome of the awareness raised by ‘Silent Spring’?
- A ban on DDT for agricultural use.
- Created EPA (environment protection agency)
What was the effect of the environmental movement on pesticide use?
There was a reduction in pesticide use in some parts of the world.
What is the Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh (DGSS)?
A labor cooperative established in 1964. About conserving forests
Who is Chandi Prasad Bhatt?
An Indian environmentalist and social activist.
(DGSS)
What is the Chipko Movement?
A movement involving villagers, especially women, hugging trees for forest conservation.
What year was Friend of the World and Greenpeace founded?
1971.
Where was Greenpeace founded?
Vancouver, Canada.
What type of actions does Greenpeace promote?
Nonviolent direct actions and peaceful protests.
What is the Green Belt Movement?
A movement started in 1977 in Kenya to prevent desertification.
Who is Wangari Maathai?
The first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
(Green belt movement)
What are the goals of the Green Belt Movement?
Tree planting, water harvesting, and empowering women in environmental actions.
Prevent deserification
What is UNEP?
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) was established in 1972 during the UN Conference on Human Environment held in Stockholm.
Where is the headquarters of UNEP located?
The headquarters of UNEP is in Nairobi, Kenya.
Under what are the 17 SDGs?
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are part of the global agenda for sustainable development.
UNEP
What was the Brundtland Commission?
The Brundtland Commission was created by the UN in 1983 and chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland, focusing on global environmental issues.
What is the main output of the Brundtland Commission?
The main output is the report ‘Our Common Future’, which reexamines the environment and proposes realistic actions.
What are the 3 Pillars of Sustainability?
The 3 Pillars of Sustainability are Economic, Social, and Environmental.
What does the Economic pillar of sustainability entail?
The Economic pillar requires organizations to be profitable and compliant with proper governance.
What does the Social pillar of sustainability focus on?
The Social pillar emphasizes social quality by building relationships and valuing community and social growth.
What actions support the Social pillar?
Supporting projects through donations, volunteers, and scholarships is essential for the Social pillar.
What is the focus of the Environmental pillar?
The Environmental pillar focuses on reducing carbon footprint, managing waste, water usage, and overall environmental impact.
What is the purpose of benchmarking in sustainability?
Benchmarking is used to track sustainability efforts in a meaningful way.
What are the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)?
The Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are a set of international development goals established to address global challenges.
What is the first major gathering on environmental issues
UNEP
What are the Millennium Development Goals (MDG)?
Established at the Millennium Summit of the UN, the MDGs consist of 8 international development goals aimed for achievement by 2015.
What were the main objectives of the MDGs?
The main objectives included reducing poverty, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, and meeting the needs of the world’s poorest.
What significant event involved 101 governments and major groups?
The Johannesburg Summit.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)?
Finalized in 2015, the SDGs were established to carry the momentum of the MDGs and address what the MDGs did not achieve.
What is the Paris Agreement’s goal regarding global warming?
To limit global warming below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
What is the first Sustainable Development Goal?
No Poverty: Eradicate all forms of poverty by 2030.
What are the targets for the No Poverty goal?
Targets include access to basic needs, equal rights to resources, and building resilience to reduce vulnerability.
What is the second Sustainable Development Goal?
Zero Hunger: End all forms of malnutrition and hunger, ensuring access to sufficient and nutritious food year-round.
What are the targets for the Zero Hunger goal?
Targets include doubling agricultural productivity, securing equal access to land, and promoting sustainable food production systems.
What is the goal of Zero Hunger?
End all forms of malnutrition and hunger; access to sufficient and nutritious food all year round.
How can agricultural productivity be improved under Zero Hunger?
Double agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers; secure and equal access to land and productive resources.
What are sustainable food production systems?
Sustainable food production systems involve resilient agricultural practices and the capacity to adapt to climate change.
What is the target for maternal mortality under Good Health and Well-Being?
Reduce maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
What diseases should be ended under Good Health and Well-Being?
End epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other communicable diseases.
What is a key aspect of quality education?
Affordable vocational training and eliminating gender and wealth disparities to achieve universal access to quality higher education.
What is the goal for early childhood education?
All boys and girls should have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education.
What should be done to improve educational facilities?
Build and upgrade educational facilities to ensure inclusivity and effective learning for all.
What is needed to increase the supply of qualified teachers?
Increase the supply of qualified teachers, especially in least developed countries.
What is the goal of gender equality?
End discrimination against women and girls everywhere.
What forms of violence should be eliminated for gender equality?
All forms of violence in public and private.
What is necessary for women’s participation in decision making?
Full and effective participation and equal opportunity for leadership at all levels of decision making in political, economic, and public life.
What rights do women have regarding economic resources?
Women have equal rights to economic resources, access and ownership over land and property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources according to national law.
What policies should be adopted to promote gender equality?
Adopt and strengthen policies for the promotion of gender equality and empower all women and girls at all levels.
What infrastructure investment is needed for clean water and sanitation?
Invest in adequate infrastructure, provide sanitation facilities, and encourage hygiene at every level.
What is essential for access to clean water?
Access to safe and affordable drinking water.
Who should have adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene?
All, especially women, girls, and those in vulnerable situations.
What should be improved regarding water quality?
Improve water quality and reduce pollution.
What is a goal related to untreated wastewater?
Halve the proportion of untreated wastewater.
What practices should be increased for water management?
Increase recycling and safe reuse.
What international support is needed for water management?
Expand international cooperation and capacity building support to developing countries.
What are some methods for water management?
Water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling, and reuse technology.
What should be invested in for affordable and clean energy?
Invest in clean energy sources like solar, wind, and thermal.
What are some clean energy sources?
Solar, wind, and thermal energy sources.
What is the goal for energy access?
Universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.
What is the target for renewable energy in the global energy mix?
Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix to 31%.
How can international cooperation facilitate clean energy access?
Enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy.
What are some components of renewable energy initiatives?
Energy efficiency and advanced, cleaner fossil fuel technology.
What should be promoted for energy infrastructure?
Promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology.
What is needed for sustainable energy services in developing countries?
Expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services.
What is necessary for decent work and economic growth?
Sustained economic growth through higher productivity and technological innovation.
What are key factors for achieving high economic productivity?
Diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
What sectors should be focused on for economic growth?
High-value added and labor-intensive sectors.
What policies should be promoted for decent job creation?
Development-oriented policies that support productive activities and decent job creation.
What is important for entrepreneurship?
Encourage creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship.
What is the goal for micro, small, and medium enterprises?
Encourage formalization and growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises.
What principle should be upheld regarding pay?
Equal pay for work of equal value.
What measures are needed to combat forced labor and human trafficking?
Immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery, and human trafficking.
What is the target for child labor by 2025?
Prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor, including recruitment and use of child soldiers.
What are the steps in the sustainability development in an org
- understanding the sdg
- Defining priorities
- Setting goals
- Integrating
- Reporting and communicating
What are the global issues of sustainability
- War and instability
- Sustainability and availability
- Governmental issues
- Poverty and unemployment
- Global economy
- Population growth
What are the different color coded zones
- Red - beyond zone of uncertainty (high risk)
- Yellow - in the zone of uncertainty (increasing risk)
- Green - Below boundary (safe)
- Gray - Boundary not yet quantified
