Lecture 5/6

Question 1

Define the difference between developed/developing countries regarding resource consumption

Answer 1

• Developed countries use more resources per person to maintain their life-style
• Developing countries with higher populations use less resources per person for their way of life

Question 2

Define the IPAT model

Answer 2

I=PATS: total impact on environment results from interaction of population, affluence, and technology, with an added sensitivity factor

Question 3

Define population (IPAT)

Answer 3

individuals need space and resources

Question 4

Define affluence (IPAT)

Answer 4

greater per capita resource use

Question 5

Define technology (IPAT)

Answer 5

increased exploitation of resources

Question 6

Define sensitivity (IPAT)

Answer 6

how sensitive an area is to human pressure (change/impacts)

Question 7

What is the IPAT model measured in

Answer 7

measured using the ecological footprint model

Question 8

Define ecological footprint

Answer 8

• estimate of environmental impact
• the land (and water) area needed to provide the resources for a person, population, business or country as well as the land (and water) required to assimilate the wastes produced

Question 9

Define economics

Answer 9

• Study of how people use resources to provide goods and services in the face of variable supply and demand

Question 10

Define mainstream economics

Answer 10

• Examines direct costs of producing materials and the delivery of the products (= internal costs)
• Views environment only as an external “factor of production” (= external costs)

Question 11

Define the bottom line

Answer 11

immediate usefulness measured as profit

Question 12

What are some examples of natural resources (capital)/ ecosystem goods

Answer 12

include fertile soils, forests, fresh and marine waters, rock (minerals/metals), fossil fuels, etc.

Question 13

What are some examples of ecosystem (ecological) services

Answer 13

include air and water purification, soil formation, climate regulation, pollination, and nutrient recycling

Question 14

How do the environment and the economy affect each other

Answer 14

The environment enables economic activity by providing goods and services BUT economic activity can affect the environment in return

Question 15

Define affluenza

Answer 15

social condition arising from desire to be more wealthy/successful or as the inability for an individual to understand the consequences of their actions because of their social/financial status

Question 16

What are 4 ways to change economic goals to be sustainable

Answer 16

• Focus on long-term sustainability rather than short-term gain
• Live within ‘our means’ - can no longer assume unlimited resources and endless growth
• Focus on more than monetary economic goals (e.g. the “triple” bottom line)
• Appreciate less visible benefits (e.g. ecosystem services)

Question 17

Define environmental economics

Answer 17

economies are unsustainable if population growth is not reduced and if resource use is not decreased

Question 18

Define ecological economics

Answer 18

economies are unsustainable and cannot overcome their ecological limitations
- (e.g. populations above carrying capacity and resource limitations)

Question 19

What is a solution created with environmental economics

Answer 19

develop and use new technologies to solve problems immunity

Question 20

What is a solution created with ecological economics

Answer 20

• Technological solutions will help but are not enough to solve problems using the current economic theories and models
• Need a new way to find solutions that sees the human economy as part of the environment (existing within the environment)
• Economy receives resources and services from environment
• Answer: Look to nature for solutions – nothing is wasted in nature

Question 21

Define linear (one-way) system

Answer 21

Assumes that resources are always available, and wastes can be disposed of in a linear way

Question 22

Define closed-loop system

Answer 22

Assumes that nature is involved so efforts should be made to return materials, at the end of a product’s life, back into the production system to reduce waste (reclaim / reuse)

Question 23

Define cradle-to-grave approach

Answer 23

Examines the impact from creation to disposal of a product and every stage of the process

Question 24

Define cradle-cradle approach

Answer 24

Provides a sustainable business strategy that mimics the regenerative cycle of nature in which waste is reused

Question 25

What are 2 important concepts of environmental science

Answer 25

1. Human populations are unevenly distributed on Earth
2. Resources required or wanted by humans are unevenly distributed on the planet

Question 26

What are 2 human impacts of population growth

Answer 26

1. Population growth reduces resource availability
   - in developing preindustrial regions (countries)
2. Excessive consumption reduces resource availability
   - in developed industrialized regions (countries)

Question 27

What do demographers study

Answer 27

• Density/distribution
• Population size
• Age structure
• Sex ratio
• Birth, death, immigration, and emigration rates

Question 28

How is population distribution uneven

Answer 28

• the 10 most populous countries have 60% of the world’s population

Question 29

How is the earth’s population size increasing

Answer 29

Maximum human population size (or carrying capacity) that the earth can support is not known – depends on model used

Question 30

How is age structure affecting future population size

Answer 30

• Many populations are getting older – different needs
• Having many younger age groups results in high reproduction and rapid growth

Question 31

How are sex ratios affecting future population size

Answer 31

Naturally occurring sex ratios for humans slightly favours males at birth (106 males vs. 100 females) – changes with age
- e.g one-child policy in China

Question 32

Define the demographic transition

Answer 32

A Model of Economic and Cultural Change to explain declining death and birth rates in industrializing nations
** review diagram pg. 13

Question 33

What is stage 1 of the demographic transition

Answer 33

countries with large growing populations

Question 34

What is stage 4of the demographic transition

Answer 34

countries with little population growth

Question 35

What are some examples of conflict caused by pop. growth and the wealth gap

Answer 35

• Contrast between rich and poor countries causes environmental and social stress
• Richest 20% use 80% of the world’s resources
• Creates increasing tensions between “haves” and “have-nots”

Question 36

Define more equitable access to resources, as a solution

Answer 36

• Poverty and population growth are correlated
• 99% of the next billion people added will be born in poor, less developed regions that are least able to support them

Question 37

Define empowering women –> reducing growth rates, as a solution

Answer 37

TFR drops when women gain access to contraceptives, family planning programs and better educational opportunities

Question 38

Define TFR

Answer 38

TFR: total fertility rate
- the number of children that the average women has in her lifetime

Question 39

Define gender equity through access to education, as a solution

Answer 39

• Increasing female literacy is strongly associated with:
  
  • reduced birth rates and reduced population growth
  • greater involvement in their society