Lecture 5/6 Flashcards
Define the difference between developed/developing countries regarding resource consumption
- 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
Define the IPAT model
I=PATS: total impact on environment results from interaction of population, affluence, and technology, with an added sensitivity factor
Define population (IPAT)
individuals need space and resources
Define affluence (IPAT)
greater per capita resource use
Define technology (IPAT)
increased exploitation of resources
Define sensitivity (IPAT)
how sensitive an area is to human pressure (change/impacts)
What is the IPAT model measured in
measured using the ecological footprint model
Define ecological footprint
- 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
Define economics
- Study of how people use resources to provide goods and services in the face of variable supply and demand
Define mainstream economics
- 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)
Define the bottom line
immediate usefulness measured as profit
What are some examples of natural resources (capital)/ ecosystem goods
include fertile soils, forests, fresh and marine waters, rock (minerals/metals), fossil fuels, etc.
What are some examples of ecosystem (ecological) services
include air and water purification, soil formation, climate regulation, pollination, and nutrient recycling
How do the environment and the economy affect each other
The environment enables economic activity by providing goods and services BUT economic activity can affect the environment in return
Define affluenza
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
What are 4 ways to change economic goals to be sustainable
- 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)
Define environmental economics
economies are unsustainable if population growth is not reduced and if resource use is not decreased
Define ecological economics
economies are unsustainable and cannot overcome their ecological limitations
- (e.g. populations above carrying capacity and resource limitations)
What is a solution created with environmental economics
develop and use new technologies to solve problems immunity
What is a solution created with ecological economics
- 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
Define linear (one-way) system
Assumes that resources are always available, and wastes can be disposed of in a linear way
Define closed-loop system
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)
Define cradle-to-grave approach
Examines the impact from creation to disposal of a product and every stage of the process
Define cradle-cradle approach
Provides a sustainable business strategy that mimics the regenerative cycle of nature in which waste is reused
What are 2 important concepts of environmental science
- Human populations are unevenly distributed on Earth
- Resources required or wanted by humans are unevenly distributed on the planet
What are 2 human impacts of population growth
- Population growth reduces resource availability
- in developing preindustrial regions (countries) - Excessive consumption reduces resource availability
- in developed industrialized regions (countries)
What do demographers study
- Density/distribution
- Population size
- Age structure
- Sex ratio
- Birth, death, immigration, and emigration rates
How is population distribution uneven
- the 10 most populous countries have 60% of the world’s population
How is the earth’s population size increasing
Maximum human population size (or carrying capacity) that the earth can support is not known – depends on model used
How is age structure affecting future population size
- Many populations are getting older – different needs
- Having many younger age groups results in high reproduction and rapid growth
How are sex ratios affecting future population size
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
Define the demographic transition
A Model of Economic and Cultural Change to explain declining death and birth rates in industrializing nations
** review diagram pg. 13
What is stage 1 of the demographic transition
countries with large growing populations
What is stage 4of the demographic transition
countries with little population growth
What are some examples of conflict caused by pop. growth and the wealth gap
- 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”
Define more equitable access to resources, as a solution
- 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
Define empowering women –> reducing growth rates, as a solution
TFR drops when women gain access to contraceptives, family planning programs and better educational opportunities
Define TFR
TFR: total fertility rate
- the number of children that the average women has in her lifetime
Define gender equity through access to education, as a solution
- Increasing female literacy is strongly associated with:
- reduced birth rates and reduced population growth
- greater involvement in their society
