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ISCI 360 > Module 1: Earth Systems and Sustainability Science > Flashcards

Module 1: Earth Systems and Sustainability Science Flashcards

1
Q

science

A

system of acquiring knowledge, through process of observation and experimentation

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2
Q

why is sustainability challenging in the context of science

A
  • aspects are hard to observe and evidence is difficult to determine through experimentation
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3
Q

characteristics of sustainability (3)

A
  • it is defined by the problems that it addresses rather than by the approaches employed
  • focuses on coupled human-environment systems, making it strongly interdisciplinary
  • rooted in values and solutions differ depending on the values of different people
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4
Q

sustainability science (2)

A
  • examines the impacts of human activities on the environment
  • attempts to identify how human needs can be met without compromising the global ecosystems which we all depend on
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5
Q

what should we do when interpreting data at a global scale (2)

A
  • be cautious
  • ask questions (conclusions, accuracy, error bars, what variables, relevance, etc)
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6
Q

what is driving the increase in human impact on our environment (2)

A
  • major factor is human population growth
  • patterns of consumption (excessive consumption by richer countries)
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7
Q

what fields are important in addressing the increase in human impact on our environment (3)

A
  • academic
  • political
  • ethical
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8
Q

earth system science (3)

A
  • focus on studying processes at the global scale with connection to human society
  • embraces multiple disciplines in transcending disciplinary boundaries to treat Earth as an integrated system
  • seeks deeper understanding of physical, chemical, biological, and human interactions that determine the past, present, and future states of earth
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9
Q

what does earth system sciences provide insight on (2)

A
  • how the world functions as an integrated system, of which humans are apart of
  • physical basis for understanding the world and that we live on and seek to achieve sustainability on
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10
Q

anthropocene

A

period of time during which human activities have impacted the environment enough to constitute a distinct geological change

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11
Q

what is the anthropocene driven by

A
  • unprecedented rise in human numbers
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12
Q

what can the rise in human population be linked to

A
  • fossil fuels, Industrial Revolution, mechanization of agriculture that allowed additional billions to be fed
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13
Q

what are some of the main impacts related to the anthropocene (4)

A
  • megacities which have increases long-term rate of erosion and sedimentation
  • rise in atmospheric CO2 concentrations
  • land cover change and more resulting in an increase in species extinction
  • enhanced dissolution of atmospheric CO2 in oceans is increasing its acidity, changing marine ecosystems
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14
Q

system

A
  • collection of interdependent parts enclosed within a defined boundary
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15
Q

what is the Earth system comprised of

A
  • sub-systems
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16
Q

what are the sub-systems of the Earth

A
  • atmosphere
  • biosphere
  • hydrosphere
  • lithosphere
  • anthroposphere
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17
Q

anthroposphere

A
  • sub-system of Earth that considers human impacts on environment
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18
Q

lithosphere (4)

A
  • the cold, hard, solid rock of the planet’s crust (surface)
  • the hot semi-solid rock that lies underneath the crust
  • the hot liquid rock near the centre of the plant
  • the solid iron core of the planet
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19
Q

hydrosphere

A
  • all of the planet’s solid, liquid and gaseous water
20
Q

biosphere

A
  • all of the planet’s living organisms
21
Q

atmosphere

A
  • all of the planet’s air
22
Q

cryosphere

A
  • ice/snow
23
Q

heliosphere

A

space surrounding earth, created by the sun

24
Q

what is Earth system science’s focus (3)

A
  • interactions between ocean, atmosphere, living things, geological processes, land surface dynamics, and human systems
  • processes that connect biological, physical, and human systems operating near the Earth’s surface
  • how interrelationships between physical and biological systems impact each other and lead to changes
25
Q

what are the main characteristics of earth systems science (ESS) (5)

A
  • builds upon and bridges the scientific disciplines
  • holistic model of earth
  • contextual approach
  • exploration and discovery of causes and effects at a global level
  • identification of critical thresholds
26
Q

sustainability (2)

A
  • the process of living within the limits of available physical, natural, and social resources in ways that allow the living systems in which humans are embedded to thrive in perpetuity
  • human-centric topic
27
Q

sustainable development (2)

A
  • development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
  • this development will leads us to achieve sustainability
28
Q

what are the 3 dimensions of sustainability

A
  • social
  • economic
  • environment
29
Q

social dimension of sustainability

A
  • refers to values that promote equality and respect for individual rights
30
Q

economic dimension of sustainability (2)

A
  • refers to economic development and growth while encouraging and promoting protection of the environment by limiting risks posed by production
  • recycling and use of renewable energy are fundamental
31
Q

environmental dimension of sustainability

A
  • commitment to protect the environment by reducing risks and measuring impacts
32
Q

social and economic dimensions met

A
  • equitable
33
Q

social and environment dimensions met

A
  • bearable
34
Q

environment and economic dimensions met

A
  • viable
35
Q

what occurs when all of the sustainability dimensions are met

A
  • the goal of sustainability is achieved
36
Q

what are the tools for analyzing sustainability (4)

A
  • futurity
  • equity
  • global environmentalism
  • biodiversity
37
Q

futurity

A
  • a concern for the welfare of future generations
38
Q

equity

A
  • the fair sharing of economic benefits and burdens within and between generations
39
Q

global environmentalism

A
  • a recognition of the global dimension of ecological problems associated with use or depletion of natural capital by one or some at the cost of others
40
Q

biodiversity

A
  • the maintenance of the integrity of ecological processes and systems
41
Q

united nations sustainable development goals (SDGS) (3)
- what is it
- what is the overall goal
- set up

A
  • 17 interlinked global goals
  • designed to be a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future
  • set up in 2015 by UN General Assembly and intended to be achieved by 2030
42
Q

why are the UN SDGs important

A
  • because we are FAR from achieving sustainability in many places and for many different reasons
43
Q

what are the characteristics of the UN SDGs (3)

A
  • universal (can apply globally)
  • indivisible (all interconnected)
  • transformative (bring about positive change)
44
Q

what are possible misconceptions about the UN SDGs (4)

A
  • it is focused on the environment only
  • it applies to developing countries only
  • it is a UN top-down plan; UN does all the work and local areas can’t apply changes
  • it is lacking in resources for action
45
Q

what are the weaknesses and gaps of the SDGs (7)

A
  • development/growth-focused approach, which some believe is not achievable
  • human-centric
  • indigenous perspectives missing
  • ethnocentric
  • missing alternative visions of sustainability ad development
  • no accountability
  • inability to show data to measure success

ISCI 360 (11 decks)

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