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Sustainability > Lecture 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development > Flashcards

Lecture 1: Introduction to Sustainable Development Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of Sustainable Development?

A

Sustainable Development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future.

– Bruntland, G. (1987)

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2
Q

Define Strong Sustainability compared to Weak Sustainability?

A

Strong Sustainability - acknowledges that economy is part of society which exists alongside environment.

Weak Sustainability - gives rise to Trade-offs.

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3
Q

What 5 principles are covered in the ‘UK’s Sustainable Development policy - Securing the future’ ?

A

LEAPU

Living within the environmental limits
Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
Achieving a sustainable economy
Promoting good governance
Using sound science responsibly
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4
Q

Explain the ‘UK SD policy - Securing the future’ point;

Living withing the environmental limits

A

Living within the environmental limits

Respect the limits of the planets environment, resources and biodiversity. to improve our environment – ensure that natural resources needed for life are unimpaired now and for future generations.

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5
Q

Explain the ‘UK SD policy - Securing the future’ point;

Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society

A

Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society

Meet diverse needs of all people now and in future; promote personal well being, social cohesion/inclusion and create equal opportunity for all.

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6
Q

Explain the ‘UK SD policy - Securing the future’ point;

Achieving a sustainable economy

A

Achieving a sustainable economy

Build a strong, stable and sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all.

Environmental and social costs fall on those who impose them (Polluter pays)

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7
Q

Explain the ‘UK SD policy - Securing the future’ point;

Promoting good governance

A

Promoting good governance

Actively promote effective participant systems of government in all levels of society; engage peoples creativity, energy and diversity

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8
Q

Explain the ‘UK SD policy - Securing the future’ point;

Using sound science responsibly

A

Using sound science responsibly

Ensuring policy is developed and implemented on the basis of strong scientific evidence, whilst taking into account scientific uncertainty (precautionary principle)

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9
Q

Which of the 17 UN SD goals can be impacted by Civil Engineers collectively?

A

9 of them;

Good health and well being
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
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10
Q

What can an engineer do day-to-day to contribute towards SD?

A

Not only environmentally but also; poverty, social injustice and global connectivity.

Do more than just comply with legislation and codes - strive beyond the bare minimum.

Use resources efficiently and effectively - understand there are environmental limits and finite resources.

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11
Q

Example of something that is unsustainable?

3 examples

A

The use of finite resources at current rates

Growing population

Poverty and inequality

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12
Q

What are the socio-economic priorities?

6 answers

A

Construction C02 contribution

Biodiversity

Ecological footprint

Population

Inequality

Economics of Ecosystems

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13
Q

Socio-economic priorities;

Statistics about;
Construction C02 contribution

A

Construction industry account for almost 47% of total C02 emissions in UK.

Manufacturing (of construction products and materials) accounts for largest amount of emissions within process of construction.

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14
Q

Socio-economic priorities;

Statistics about;
Biodiversity

A

From 1970 to 2012 the Living Planet Index showed a 58% decline in vertebrate population abundance.

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15
Q

Socio-economic priorities;

Statistics about;
Ecological footprint

A

Ecological Footprint definition;
‘Humanities demand on the planet’s living resources.

Humanities ecological footprint now exceeds the planets regenerative capacity by about 50%. This is an OVERSHOOT

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16
Q

Socio-economic priorities;

Statistics about;
Population

A

Population of the world in 2019 is approximately 7.7 billion.

Population of the world today is about 200,000 larger than yesterday.

17
Q

Socio-economic priorities;

Statistics about;
Inequality

A

Richest 1% own more than the rest of the world.

48% owned by richest 1% in 2014
54% owned by richest 1% by 2020

£1.9 trillion wealth of 80 top billionaires; more than the bottom 50% of the rest of the world.

18
Q

Socio-economic priorities;

Statistics about;
Economics of Ecosystems

A

UN Environmental Programme report; The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, valued damage done by human activity to be $4.5 trillion.

19
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Human Development Index (HDI):

A

Human Development Index;

A composite index measuring average achievement in 3 basic dimensions of human development;

A long and healthy life
Knowledge
Decent standard of living

20
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Life expectancy at birth

A

Life expectancy at birth;

Number of years a newborn infant could expect to live.

21
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Mean years of schooling

A

Mean years of schooling;

Average number of years of education received by people aged 25 or above.

22
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Expected years of schooling

A

Expected years of schooling;

No. of years of schooling that a child of school entrance age can expect to receive.

23
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Gross National Income - GNI

A

Gross National Income GNI;

Aggregate income of an economy, divided by population

24
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Inequality-adjusted life expectancy index

A

Inequality-adjusted life expectancy index;

HDI life expectancy adjusted for inequality in distribution of expected length of life.

25
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Inequality-adjusted education index

A

Inequality adjusted education index;

HDI education index adjusted for inequality in distribution of years of education.

26
Q

Quality of life definitions;

Inequality -adjusted income index

A

Inequality-adjusted income index;

HDI income index adjusted for inequality in income distribution

27
Q

In the study ‘Limits to Growth: 30 year update’ what was concluded?

A

Conclude that humanity is dangerously in a state of overshoot.

Sea levels risen 10-20 cm since 1900
Most non-polar glaciers are retreating
Extent and thickness of Arctic sea ice is decreasing

28
Q

What does the term ‘Overshoot’ mean?

A

Overshoot; We are drawing on the world’s resources faster than they can be restored, and we are releasing wastes/pollutants faster than the Earth can absorb them or render them harmless.

Sustainability (4 decks)

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