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Principles Of Sustainable Lifestyles Flashcards

1
Q

What is the most widely accepted definition for sustainability?

A

sustainable development meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

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2
Q

What were past human impacts on the environment?

A

Had some impact but environment was given chance to recover

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3
Q

What does current population growth and demand not allow environments t do?

A

Recover

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4
Q

What 2 factors affect sustainability?

A

Total population taking part in the action
Regularity of that action

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5
Q

What are negative feedback loops?

A

Where the feedback mechanism restores the change back to its original state (resists change)

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6
Q

What are some examples of negative feedback loops?

A

Increased low level cloud
Hydrological cycle (precipitation cooling)
Photosynthesis
Homeostatic population regulation

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7
Q

How is increased low level cloud a negative feedback loop?

A

Higher temperatures trigger increased amounts of evaporation, increased condensation, clouds form.
Thick clouds can block solar radiation as they have a higher albedo than the earths surface on average
Helps cool climate

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8
Q

How is the hydrological cycle a negative feedback loop?

A

Increased temperature leads to increased evaporation which leads to increased precipitation (causes cooling)

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9
Q

How can increased atmospheric CO2 create a negative feedback loop?

A

Increased photosynthesis removing carbon from the atmosphere which is sequestered in plant tissue therefore less carbon exists in the atmosphere slowing rate of warming

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10
Q

Who created the Homeostatic population regulation theory?

A

Malthus

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11
Q

How does the Homeostatic population regulation theory work?

A

Population increase will mean there aren’t enough resources to support population causing population decline

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12
Q

How can the Malthus theory be applied to animals?

A

Density dependent factors

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13
Q

What are density dependent factors?

A

direct result of a species population size and usually arise because the population of the species has to compete for the same resources in a limited geographical niche

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14
Q

What are 2 examples of density dependent factors?

A

Disease
Food availability

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15
Q

How is food a density dependent factor?

A

Minimum amount of food needed for survival
May have to intra or interspecific competition
Food will become limited as population reaches certain size increasing death rate until food supply sustainable

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16
Q

What will there always be as food supply fluctuates in ecosystems?

A

A lag time between increased prey and increased predator populations

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17
Q

How is disease a density dependent factor?

A

Disease can spread rapidly across densely populated areas especially across members of the same species

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18
Q

What are positive feedback loops?

A

Type of feedback loop that does not restore the original state

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19
Q

What is permafrost?

A

soil that is saturated with water and permanently frozen

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20
Q

Where can you find permafrost?

A

Tundra environments in Siberia, Greenland, Alaska and Canada

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21
Q

How much of the earth is permafrost?

A

10%

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22
Q

How is climate change creating a positive feedback loop with permafrost?

A

Permafrost is melting this means DOM trapped in soil is in anaerobic conditions meaning methane is produced causing further warming

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23
Q

How is a feedback loop being created from ocean acidification?

A

More carbon is being absorbed into oceans because of anthropogenic sources, this creates carbonic acid that causes corals to die meaning less carbon can be sequestered in calcium carbonate increasing formation of carbonic acid

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24
Q

How much of the worlds carbon is stored in the oceans?

A

50%

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25
How is reduced albedo creating a positive feedback loop?
Warming climate causing ice and snow to melt, reducing albedo, meaning more is absorbed by darken land and ocean causing further warming, speeding up melting
26
How is methane hydrate formed?
Methane produced by microbe breakdown in anaerobic environment, under high pressure and cold temperatures a solid is formed
27
How is melting methane hydrate creating a positive feedback loop?
As oceans warm up methane hydrate may melt releasing methane gas into the atmosphere enhancing the warming
28
What is peat?
Carbon rich soil formed in wet environments
29
How is peat part of a positive feedback loop?
Warming climate dries out peat Increasing risk of fire Lots of carbon released causing further warming
30
How are forest fires creating a positive feedback loops?
climate warms Shifting rain patterns Forests dry out Prone to catching fire and releasing carbon
31
How much carbon does 1 tree store
1 tonne
32
How do increased cirrus clouds create a positive feedback loop?
Warmer air holds more moisture (7-10%) This forms clouds Clouds prevent heat leaving Earth
33
How does more rapid soil decomposition create a positive feedback loop?
If temperature of a cooler area warms the rate of decomposition may suddenly increase this process releases carbon dioxide (once organic level stabilised so will decomposition)
34
What are tipping points?
Unusual events that overwhelm the ability of negative feedback mechanisms to recreate the equilibrium
35
How can human activities lead to tipping points being reached?
Global climate change- increase in the rate of natural processes may become self-sustaining due to human activities
36
What natural processes may be increased by human activities meaning tipping points are reached?
Forest fires Methane hydrate releases Permafrost melting
37
Why are diverse systems more likely to be resistant to change?
Because so many ecological niches are available the loss of one wont have a drain effect on total ecosystem function
38
What habitats are high diversity high resilience systems?
Coral reefs Tropical rainforests
39
What do human activities do to diverse systems?
Often produce less diverse systems
40
What is an example of humans reducing the diversity of an area?
Agroecosystems which focus on production of a limited range of food species with little attempt to maintain other species that help maintain ecological stability and productivity
41
What type of energy is used in natural processes?
Low energy density renewable resources
42
What are some examples of natural processes driven by solar energy?
Hydrological cycle Carbon cycle Nitrogen cycle Atmospheric circulation Thermohaline circulation
43
What type of energy are human activities driven by?
Non-renewables Such as fossil fuels Some development of renewables
44
Do natural processes tend to need high or low temperatures?
Low compared to human activities
45
What are some natural processes driven by low temperatures?
Production of carbohydrates by photosynthesis Decomposition Nitrogen fixation
46
What are present in natural processes which mean high temps are not needed?
Enzymes reduce activation energy so high temps not needed
47
What are some human activities that require a high temperature?
Many manufacturing processes Haber process (fertilisers) Incineration of wastes
48
How are materials cycled through natural processes?
Processes often linked with the waste of one process being the raw materials for other processes
49
What type of system is human material usage?
Linear which leads to resource depletion and waste generation
50
Why are fossil fuels not sustainable?
Reliance on non renewable energy sources Inefficient use when renewable resources available
51
How do humans waste mineral resources?
Dispersal after use Mixture of materials making separation difficult
52
What is the main difference between natural and human material usage?
Natural waste products are either non-toxic or do not build up to cause toxicity
53
What are the 10 principles of circular economy?
Cycling of materials Energy derived from renewable sources Human activities should support ecosystems Diverse systems are more resistant to change Connected systems Design of products for extended use Design of products for end of life reuse Separation of technical and biological materials Optimum production rather than maximum production Technologies to design new products and improve system effectiveness
54
Why is cycling materials a principle of circular economy?
Biogeochemical cycles involve interconnected physical and biological processes where each process uses the waste products of a previous processes meaning there is no depletion or build up of materials
55
How is energy being derived from renewable sources part of the circular economy?
Almost all natural processes are driven by renewable energy resources especially solar
56
What is circular economy?
Analysis of human activities and an assessment of how using the principles of natural systems would create more sustainable lifestyles
57
Why is human activities supporting ecosystems part of the circular economy?
Human survival relies on the service provided by the natural ecosystem so it’s important humans don’t damage them
58
Why is diverse ecosystems being more resilient to change part of circular economy?
Each component of a diverse ecosystem is likely to be less relatively important so impact of loss is smaller
59
Why is the connection of systems part of circular economy?
Natural systems are usually connected where waste f=products from one process fuel another
60
Why is design of products for extended use part of circular economy?
Long life products reduces opportunities for material to be lost
61
Why is end of life reuse art of circular economy?
Reusing or recycling materials often easier if items designed so materials can be identified, separated and then re-used
62
Why is separation of biological and technical materials part of circular economies?
Material such as metals are plastics require different processing methods
63
Why is optimum production not maximum required for circular economy?
Natural systems often over produce so surplus supports processes whole system relies upon in contrast to agriculture which aim to maximise crop yield
64
What sort of processes will overproduced materials be used for in nature?
Pollinators Seed dispersal Mycorrhizal fungi Decomposers
65
Why is technologies to design new products and improve system effectiveness part of circular economy?
Improved designs can increase efficiency of energy use reduce material use and enable dismantling for reuse
66
What human activities can conservation of biodiversity be incorporated into?
Urban development Agriculture Forestry Fishery management Mineral exploitation Waste management
67
How can urban developments be designed to conserve biodiversity?
Designs and management of gardens, parks, public green spaces and buildings can provide opportunities for wildlife
68
How can circular economy be applied to agriculture?
Agri-environmental schemes which can optimise yields while benefitting wildlife
69
What are some examples of things included in agri-environmental schemes that conserve biodiversity?
Infilling gaps in hedges to increase heir value as biological corridors Careful timing of mowing meadows to conserve wild flowers Beetle bank to provide habitats for pest predators
70
How can circular economy be applied to forestry?
Forestry management that incorporates mixed-species forests of indigenous trees often increase the wildlife value
71
How can circular economy be applied to fishery management?
Improved fishing methods can exploit fish populations sustainably while reducing bycatch and environmental damage
72
How can circular economy be applied to mineral exploitation?
Mining always causes habitat damage, but good management can minimise the impact and site restoration after mine closure can produce valuable land, including wildlife habitats
73
How can circular economy be applied to waste management?
Pollutants are wastes for which a new or good disposal method was not found Good waste waste management reduces pollution including that which is harmful to wildlife
74
What are some examples of circular economy being applied to urban development?
Wetland habitat created in old industrial coolant lagoon Car park surface that retains vegetation and allows rainwater infiltration
75
How can circular economy be applied to water supply and biodiversity conservation?
Good management of water catchments, aquifers and water conservation reduces impact of water use on wildlife
76
How can circular economy be applied to mineral resource management and biodiversity conservation?
Increasing reserves by exploiting low grade ore using low temp process Extend product lifespan through better design No planned obsolescence Replaceable parts Good spare parts supply Reduce unnecessary use
77
What ways can waste management be reduced? (6 R’s)
Repair re-use re-purpose refurbish recycle Re-design
78
What are some examples of pollution control by non-release?
Industrial synergy Better designs Change from internal combustion to fuel cells Change from flue gas desulfurization to fuel desulphurisation
79
How can circular economy be applied to energy supply?
Use of renewable energy Development of low temperature manufacturing processes Develop tech which makes using renewables easier (storage and energy density)
80
How can circular economy be applied to food production and biodiversity conservation?
inclusion of natural processes in nutrient supply pest control and soil maintenance
81
How can circular economy be applied to diverse systems and biodiversity conservation?
diverse technical systems are usually more stable like diverse ecosystems
82
What is an example of diverse systems?
Society that uses a range of renewable energy resources rather then relying on one
83
What do many countries want to do for the environment?
Protect the environment Create more sustainable lifestyles Support the circular economy
84
What is the problem with initiating the circular economy?
The cost of implementing such schemes may put companies at an economic disadvantage compared with countries that do not support such initiatives
85
How can the integration of circular economy be made less disadvantageous?
By using a more even approach which can be achieved if groups of countries use a common approach such as the UN or EU
86
Why might a common grouped approach to circular economy be more successful?
There may be better coordination and monitoring of activities than in a individual country Where there is no external regulatory structure Allows those who are protecting the environment to support those who are less successful
87
What areas did the EU decide to focus on for moving towards a circular economy?
Conservation of biodiversity Waste management and pollution control Water Energy Design of manufactured appliances
88
What ways did the EU want to conserve biodiversity to support a circular economy?
Better protection for ecosystems (birds, habitats marine environment) Development of green infrastructure Better management of fish stock More sustainable forestry and agriculture Better control of introduced species
89
What ways did the EU plan to change waste management and pollution control to support a circular economy?
Better control of urban waste water Minimal landfill use More recycling of electrical appliances and used batteries Control industrial emissions Greater use of compost for fertiliser Reduce food waste Reduce packaging use (increase recycling)
90
What does the EU want to introduce with water to support a circular economy?
Better management of water resources More reuse of water
91
What does the EU want to introduce with energy to support a circular economy?
More biofuel use and other renewables for transport Improved efficiency of freezers and fridges Use waste for energy generation Use renewable energy resources
92
What does the EU want to do with the design of manufactured appliances to support a circular economy?
Improved design for easier repair and life extension Improved design for easier recycling or reuse Reduce use of toxic material for electronics and vehicles More recycled materials used in road and building construction Easier battery replacement vehicle manufacture for recycling or using recyclables

Environmental Science (90 decks)

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