Module 1: Earth Systems and Sustainability Science

Question 1

science

Answer 1

system of acquiring knowledge, through process of observation and experimentation

Question 2

why is sustainability challenging in the context of science

Answer 2

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

Question 3

characteristics of sustainability (3)

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

sustainability science (2)

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

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

Answer 7

• academic
• political
• ethical

Question 8

earth system science (3)

Answer 8

• 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

Question 9

what does earth system sciences provide insight on (2)

Answer 9

• 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

Question 10

anthropocene

Answer 10

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

Question 11

what is the anthropocene driven by

Answer 11

• unprecedented rise in human numbers

Question 12

what can the rise in human population be linked to

Answer 12

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

Question 13

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

Answer 13

• 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

Question 14

system

Answer 14

• collection of interdependent parts enclosed within a defined boundary

Question 15

what is the Earth system comprised of

Answer 15

• sub-systems

Question 16

what are the sub-systems of the Earth

Answer 16

• atmosphere
• biosphere
• hydrosphere
• lithosphere
• anthroposphere

Question 17

anthroposphere

Answer 17

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

Question 18

lithosphere (4)

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

hydrosphere

Answer 19

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

Question 20

biosphere

Answer 20

• all of the planet’s living organisms

Question 21

atmosphere

Answer 21

• all of the planet’s air

Question 22

cryosphere

Answer 22

• ice/snow

Question 23

heliosphere

Answer 23

space surrounding earth, created by the sun

Question 24

what is Earth system science’s focus (3)

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

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

Answer 25

- 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

Question 26

sustainability (2)

Answer 26

- 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

Question 27

sustainable development (2)

Answer 27

- 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

Question 28

what are the 3 dimensions of sustainability

Answer 28

- social - economic - environment

Question 29

social dimension of sustainability

Answer 29

- refers to values that promote equality and respect for individual rights

Question 30

economic dimension of sustainability (2)

Answer 30

- 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

Question 31

environmental dimension of sustainability

Answer 31

- commitment to protect the environment by reducing risks and measuring impacts

Question 32

social and economic dimensions met

Answer 32

- equitable

Question 33

social and environment dimensions met

Answer 33

- bearable

Question 34

environment and economic dimensions met

Answer 34

- viable

Question 35

what occurs when all of the sustainability dimensions are met

Answer 35

- the goal of sustainability is achieved

Question 36

what are the tools for analyzing sustainability (4)

Answer 36

- futurity - equity - global environmentalism - biodiversity

Question 37

futurity

Answer 37

- a concern for the welfare of future generations

Question 38

equity

Answer 38

- the fair sharing of economic benefits and burdens within and between generations

Question 39

global environmentalism

Answer 39

- 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

Question 40

biodiversity

Answer 40

- the maintenance of the integrity of ecological processes and systems

Question 41

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

Answer 41

- 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

Question 42

why are the UN SDGs important

Answer 42

- because we are FAR from achieving sustainability in many places and for many different reasons

Question 43

what are the characteristics of the UN SDGs (3)

Answer 43

- universal (can apply globally) - indivisible (all interconnected) - transformative (bring about positive change)

Question 44

what are possible misconceptions about the UN SDGs (4)

Answer 44

- 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

Question 45

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

Answer 45

- 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