SESD Flashcards
1
Q
how do we track the progression of the Anthropocene
CITE
A
Atmospheric CO2 concentration - the single indicator
(steffen et al, 2007)
2
Q
what is
* the pre industrial,
* 1950
* current level
of atmospheric CO2
and cite
A
270-275 ppm
310 ppm
380 ppm
(Steffen et al, 2007)
3
Q
what are the 3 phases of the Anthropocene
and cite
A
- Industrial era (1800-1945)
- Great Acceleration (1945 - ca. 2015)
- Stewards of the Earth System (2015-?)
(Steffen et al, 2007)
4
Q
3 broad philosophical approaches to deal with changing environment.
and cite
A
- business as usual
- mitigation
- geo engineering
(Steffen et al, 2007)
5
Q
What does Stewards of the Earth system mean?
and cite
A
third stage of the Anthropocene where human activities are recognised as affecting the structure and functioning of the Earth system as a whole
(Steffen et al, 2007)
6
Q
what has aided the growing awareness of human influence on the Earth system
and cite!
A
- rapid advances in resource and understanding - most innovative is interdisciplinary work on human environment systems
- enormous power of the internet as a global, self organising info system
- spread of more free and open societies supporting independent media
- growth of democratic systems narrowing scope of arbitrary state power and strengthening role of civil society
(Steffen et al, 2007)
7
Q
what assumptions do we have in the business as usual approach of the Anthropocene
and cite
A
- global change will not be severe or rapid enough to cause major disruptions to the global economic system or other important aspects like human health
- the existing market system can deal autonomously with any adaptations required.
- resources required to mitigate global change proactibely would be better spent on more pressing human needs
(Steffen et al, 2007)
8
Q
example given in of existing economic system dealing with environmental issues
and cite
A
- as socieites have become wealthier, they have dealt effectively with some local and regional pollution problems.
- clean up of major european rivers
- amelioration of acid rain problem in W. Europe and eastern N. America
(Steffen et al, 2007)
9
Q
Considerable risk of business as usual approach
and cite
A
- there is a mismatch in time scales between human decision making/economy and the Earth system
- when humans realise a business as usual approach may not work - the world is already committed to further decades, even centuries, of environmental change
(Steffen et al, 2007)
10
Q
example of time mis match between Earth system and human decisions/economy
A
stability of cryosphere
* warming is projected to be twice as large in polar regions enhancing ice sheet instability and glacial melting.
* irreverisdble threshold may in decades be crossed, leading to loss of Grenland ice sheet over centuries or a millenium - thus 5m sea level rise
(Steffen et al, 2007)
11
Q
outline the mitigation approach
and cite
A
- attempts to take human pressure off the Earth system by vastly improved technology and management, wise use of resources, control of human and domestic animal population, careful use and restoration of natural environment
- ultimate goal is to reduce human modification of global environment to avoid dangerous levels and rates of change - allow Earth System to function in a pre Anthropocene way
(Steffen et al, 2007)
12
Q
how is technology used in the mitigation approach
and cite
A
- rapid advances in transport, energy, agriculture and other sectors have led to a trend of dematerialisation in several advanced econs
- amount and value of econ activity grow while physical material flowing through econ does not
(Steffen et al, 2007)
13
Q
further technological opportunities - Mitigation approach
and cite
A
- worldwide energy use is only 0.05% of solar radiation reaching continents
- human appropiation of NPP is around 10%
- new energy generation - solar, thermal, photovoltaic, nuclear, wind, biofules etc
(Steffen et al, 2007)
14
Q
why might improved tech not be enough in the mitigation approach
and cite
A
- changes in societal values and individual behaviour will likely be necessary
- Great Acceleration has considerable momentum and intensifying.
(Steffen et al, 2007)
15
Q
Outline the geo engineering approach
and cite
A
- severity of climate change may force societies to drastic action
- purposeful manipulation by humans of global scale Earth system processes with the intention of counteracting anthropogenically driven environmental change
(Steffen et al, 2007)
16
Q
2 Example of geo engineering given in (Steffen et al, 2007)
A
- artificially enhance Earth;s albedo by releasing sunlight reflective material, like sulphate particles, into stratosphere which would then settle in troposphere
- particles would be produced through oxidation like after volcanic eruptions
- ** geosequestration ** of CO2 into underground reservoirs - would also reduce ocean acidification
17
Q
What reduction in emissions is needed to stabilise concentration of atmospheric CO2
and cite
A
60%
(Steffen et al, 2007)
18
Q
what does IGBP stand for
A
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
19
Q
What does IPBES stand for
A
Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
20
Q
how many SDGs are there
A
17
21
Q
what report says what about the decline ecosystem services?
and cite
A
they have continued to decline globally since 1970
IPBES
22
Q
(United Nations, 2021) report says what about the SDGs
A
World has deviated off its track to achieve the goals by 2030 due to range of health, economic and social imacts of Covid 19.
23
Q
How has geography changed during the Anthropocene ?
and cite
A
Moved from merely a collection and description of knowledge to understanding of coupled patterns and processes and the simulation and prediction of complex human and earth systems that now provides support for decision making.
(Fu et al, 2021)
24
Q
LSS framework and cite
A
Landscape Sustainability Science
- guides on how to improve capacity of a landscape and provide landscape specific ecosystem services crucial for SD.
(Wu, 2013)
25
3 Frameworks discussed to promote Geography for sustainability at where
cite all
* Landscape Sustainability science - (Wu, 2013)
* Metacoupling (Liu, 2017)
* Pattern-Process-Service-Sustainability (Fu and Wei, 2018)
at the *International Geography and Sustainability Workshop 2021*
26
Outline the PPSS framework
and cite!
* Relationship between land use and ecological processes help us understand mechanisms of ecosystem services and resoure utilisation
* key is balancing nature supplies with human demand at the individual/community level - securing human well being and promoting SDGs
* we develop models and dynamic prediction to achieve this
(Fu and Wei, 2018)
27
4 Key elements for promoting sustainability
and cite!
* agricultural development
* disasters and risk monitoring and regulation
* climate change mitigation
* achieving the SDGs
(Fu et al, 2021)
28
4 core higher level facts about land systems
and cite!
* 1 - meanings and values of land are socially constructed and contested
* 2 - Land systems exhibit complex behaviours with abrupt, hard to predict changes
* 6 - humanity lives on a used planet where all land provides benefits to societies
* 10 - land users have multiple, somtimes conflicting, ideas of what social and environmental justice entails.
(Mayfroidt et al, 2022)
29
Fact 1 - **Land is a source and focus of Multiple meaning and values**
outline the meaning of this
and cite!!
* while being a biophysical reality, land is also humanity's home
* notions of land being *valued* and *useful* are social constructions from diverse, changing, beliefs
* notions of **degredation and restoration** are up to interpretation:
* shifting cultivation and use of fire in vegetation management - traditional land use practices viewed by some as backward.
* estimates of land degradation range from 10-60 Mkm2
(Mayfroidt et al, 2022)
30
3 cosmovisions of the global
and cite!
* African - ubuntu
* Buddhist - Gross National Happiness
* Native American - Buen Vivir
(Van Norren, 2020)
31
what are the problems with SDGs
and cite
* embody linear growth/results thinking which requires unlimited resource exploitation - dont think about replacing growth with well being
* represent individualism and exclude private sector responsibility
* dont represent collective agency - they imply *development as a service*
(Van Norren, 2020)
32
what could be changed in the name SDG
and cite!
* abolish development and replace with inter-relationship
* replace goals with process thinking
* replace sustainability with thinking in cyclical nature and earth governance
(van norren 2020)
32
3 ways of viewing nature
* intrinsic essence of something - ie *natural*
* inherent force - ie *Mother Nature*
* external world - something *other*
33
brief outline how nature was viewed through time - **Card not complete skip**
* enlightenment - **nature is separate, **can be observed through scientific methods
* 1960s-80s -** nature is a limit to growth.** it is a fixed stock, population cannot grow too much
* nature influence
34
how have policy goals changed broadly
moved from efficiency to justice
35
what are the 4 types of ecosystem services
and cite
supporting
regulating
cultural
provisioning
(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005)
36
why are ecosystem services called instrumental
and cite
we use them as humans, even if not materially
(Millenium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005)
37
overall, what do the frameworks like coupling actually mean
expanding on ecosystem services but coupled with time, space, scales
38
what is telecoupling and cite
how actions in some place will affect other side of the world
like what happens in the amazon will affect the Uk
(IPBES, 2016)
39
what does NCP stand for
and cite
natures contribution to people
(IPBES, 2018)
40
what does it mean to positivist
there is an objective truth that can be discovered
41
are ecosystem services positivist ?
yes
42
what are the 5 types of capital
and cite!
natural, human, social, manufactured and financial
(porritt, 2005)
43
what does the capital assets framework put forward
and cite
natural capital is a stock resource that we need for wealth and thus well being
(Porritt, 2005)
44
what is a problem with the capital assets framework
it assumes substitution, you can replace natural capital with produced capital
45
what is earths overshoot day mean
the date when humanity demand for ecological resources in a given year exceeds what the earth can regenerate in a that year
46
why were countries like the UK largely able to handle SO2, NO2, toxic waste
we knew the amount of safe amount within our own jurisdictions
47
outline the planetary boundaries aim
and cite
aims to define a safe operating space for human society to develop and thrive, based on our unederstanding of the functioning and resilience of the earth system
(rockstrom et al, 2009)
48
what is eco anxiety
the chronic fear of environmental cataclysm that comes from observing the seemingly irrevocable impact of climate change
49
what are systems
components that are linked together through different couplings
50
outline the positive feedback around fires
deforestation
>
fires
>
droughts
51
what is homeostasis
tendency to revert a system to a stable equilibrium
52
define sustainability
the capacity for a system to maintain output at a level approximately equal or greater to its historical average
53
why is sustainable development normative
it is something we **should** do
we view it as generational, and bringing justice and value to future generational
54
how do economists measure well being
by stocks - **capital assets**
its the source of our wellbeing
55
define human capital
and cite!
the quantity and quality of the human population
(Porritt, 2005)
56
define manufactured capital
and cite
the quantity and quality of physical stock that is created by humans to provide goods and services
(traditional view of capital)
(Porritt, 2005)
57
define knowledge capital
and cite!
includes collective public awareness of how and why things are as they are and how to fulfill human purposes in a reproducible way
(Porritt, 2005)
58
what is social capital
and cite
norms and institutions that emerges from interactions between people, organisations or the market
(Porritt, 2005)
59
define natural capital
and cite
quality and quantity of environmentally provided assets that provide a flow of useful goods and services
(Porritt, 2005)
60
what is assimilative capacity
the ability of the environment to absorb, detoxify and disperse wastes to make them less harmful
61
outline the 4 steps of the daly triangle
ultimate means - natural capital
intermediate means - built and human capital
intermediate ends - human and social capital
ultimate ends - well being
62
what does it mean to be interpretist
knowledges are socially constructed
63
give an example of relational well being ... showing income is not best way to measure well being
people on the same salaries but one with wealthy and one with poor friends. the one with poor friends feels happeir
64
outline what natures contribution to people says
we all experience the world differently, so nature gives different well being to different people
65
give an example of the tradeoff from afforestation
local communities are using this land for food
but eucalyptus trees are being planted in keyna
66
key critiques of the term sustainabile development
lack of consensus
lack of self reflection
no clear theoretical framework
a truism
an oxymoron
67
3 alternatives to growth based Neo classical models
degrowth
donut Econ
gendered approaches
68
what 3 components should sustainable development frameworks be based around
efficiency, sustainability, equity
69
equity define
recognising that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
70
what 3 things are externalities
silent
invisible
mobile
71
what are public goods
non excludable and non rivalrous.
72
what did Elinor ostrom argue
in the commons, we have norms and institutions in our communities
so commons are not open access, but at the community are used efficiency
73
what is the accounting/shadow price
the price that we should be paying, acounting for externalities
74
donut economics and degrowrth both argue...?
both question the idea that well-being should be associated with GDP
this doesn't reflect natural capital dimensions, or even if people are having well being
75
what does donut economics broadly lay out
it puts human wellbeing at the core, and puts it within the planetary boundaries
76
what does it mean if we are in the donut hole (raworth)
we are not meeting our essentials of life. food, water, healthcare, education etc are not being met
77
where are the world currently within the donut
according to Kate raworth?
both in the hole and beyond 6 boundaries!
78
Which is the only country nearly meeting the donut (Raworth)
Costa rica
79
why do countries sit beyond the donut
over consumption
80
what are the stages of our degenerative economies
take
make
use
lose
81
why does Kate raworth think we can't be sustainable
we are too far gone, we need to be regenerative
82
what does Kate raworth think should change to inequality
economies shouldn't just be inclusive, they need to be distributive
83
give examples of distributive economy
employees get a living wage + ownership of companies, profit shares etc
84
2 words we can use to describe current business practices (raworth)
divisive and degenerative
85
Kate raworth - 5 traits which make a company
purpose
network (how do you view others in the industry)
governance
ownership
finance
86
what is capital to marx
difference between value of product of labour and price paid to workers to persuade them to work
87
example of a company with a purpose
tonys chocolony - 100% slave free chocolate purpose
88
outline what Hayek said In 1944
It is impossible to attribute value to all the resources in society
therefore the government cannot centrally plan it, and this also starts a slippery slope to authoritarianism
89
what does the world bank do
development bank for infrastructure to countries
90
what is the IMF
lender of last resort, but lends on conditions of Washington consensus SAP
91
list the 3 steps to making natures value visible (mainstream way of internalising externalities)
recognise value - in ecosystems, landscapes, biodversity
demonstrate value - to decision makers in economic terms
capture value -n through mechanisms to incorporate natural values in decision making
92
what is re regulation
rather than deregulation
regulations to transform environmental problems to market like solutions
innovation of private and voluntary forms of governance
93
how effective was the clean air act of 1990 (USA)
50% reduction in pollutants 1990-2020 according to the EPA
94
what was the clean air act of 1990
this allowed companies to trade pollution permits
sets a national allowance which will decrease over time
95
give an example of the value of ecosystem services changing
bats were used for pest control in the southern US cotton fields
but then since the 1990s cotton has been GM to be insect repellent
this meant value of bat service fell by 80%
96
what does CSR stand for
corporate social responsibility
97
example of civil society driving CSR
Greenpeace protested using organutan costumes outside nestles
rose awareness of nestles use of palm oil
98
2 capitalism contradictions regarding sustainability
capital accumulates beyond demand, requiring constant growth to stave off over production
continual growth depends on finite nature and resources, which become ever more scarce
99
3 critiques of neoliberal sustainability
1. problems with our relationship with nature - it turns nation into a commodity, and creates sites of capital accumulation largely for elites
2. focuses on the instrumental value of nature rather than other values - intrinsic
3. risks entrenching market perspectives at the expense of nature.
100
what is environmental justice
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, colour, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
101
what are the three components of justice
procedural
recognitional
distributional
102
what is procedural justice
fair representation in decision making processes
103
what is recognition jsutice
the right to live in alignment with ones values and identities
104
what is distributional justice
fair allocation of resources, costs and benefits
105
why is it important to understand women's role in sustainable development
* they have greater reliance on natural resources, due to weaker material rights and disproportionate care responsibilities
* they are also systematically paid less or completely unpaid and lack access to development rights
106
give an example of patriarchal sustainable development
women were using common wetlands in the Gambia for agriculture and fibres.
this was then privatised for rice farming (in order to "modernise and reduce degredation") and given to men
107
how much of emissions are the poorest half of the world responsible for
8%
108
how much of world emissions are caused by the wealthiest 10%
50%
109
give 2 examples of environmental racism
water in flint Michigan - the white areas were having water treated while the black areas were not, and drinking lead water
in india the Dalits (untouchable caste) has been forced off their land for mining companies
110
what is intersectionality
how inequalities caused by gender, race, and class and others are best understood as overlapping and mutually constitutive rather than isolated and distinct.
111
what is governance
governance is the set of interventions aimed at changing incentives, knowledge, institutions, decision making and behaviour
112
what is policy
a law, regulation, procedure, administrative action, incentive or voluntary
113
why is the scope of public policy in sustainable governance the most expansive?
public sector authorities benefit from higher legitimacy through th e social contract between state and society
114
what is adaptive governance
allowing for opportunities for continous adjustments in response to feedback loops and can enhance resilience
115
what is anticipatory governance
Focuses on foresight, engagement, and integration to build capacities and steering mechanisms that can address future needs.
116
what is polycentric governance
is governance that manifests in nested scales and overlapping functions, often supporting institutional diversity
117
list the three types of governance
adaptive
anticipatory
polycentric
118
what have been the two shifts in sustainable governance in recent decades?
globalisation and increasing decentralisation
119
