Sustainability

Question 1

What is the population controlled by?

Answer 1

Density-dependent factors

Question 2

Give an example of a negative feedback mechanism

Answer 2

Increased CO2 in the atmosphere increases the rate of photosynthesis, so more plants grow which leads to less CO2 in the atmosphere, more carbon sequestration.

Question 3

Give an example of a positive feedback mechanism

Answer 3

Increases CO2 in the atmosphere causes warming of the atmosphere, therefore ice/snow melts so less albedo more absorption. This leads to more CO2 in the atmosphere and even more warming.

Question 4

What are cirrus clouds made of?

Answer 4

Ice crystals

Question 5

Give an example of a positive feedback mechanisms which relates to oceans

Answer 5

Increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere increases the amount of CO2 absorbed by the ocean.
CO2 and water form carbonic acid which dissociates into hydrogen ions and carbonate ions.
The hydrogen ions decrease pH making oceans more acid, this damages coral/algae so less CO2 is sequestered.

Question 6

What is the definition of sustainability?

Answer 6

Sustainable development meets the needs of the current generation without it compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

Question 7

What systems are more likely to be resistant to change?

Answer 7

Highly diverse systems like coral reefs or tropical rainforests

Question 8

Why are agroecosystems low in diversity?

Answer 8

Because they are mainly used for growing a few select species with little attempt to maintain the habitat for other animals like, pollinators, detritivores ect

Question 9

What are natural systems driven by?

Answer 9

Renewable, low density energy at low temperatures

Question 10

What are some natural systems?

Answer 10

Hydrological cycle
Carbon cycle
Nitrogen cycle
Atmospheric circulation
Thermohaline circulation

Question 11

What are human systems driven by?

Answer 11

Non-renewable, high density energy at high temps

Question 12

Give examples of natural processes that occur at low temperatures

Answer 12

Production of carbohydrates by photosynthesis
Nitrogen fixing
Decomposition

Question 13

What human processes use high temperatures?

Answer 13

Haber process
Manufacturing processes
Incineration of wastes

Question 14

What processes have low carbon footprints?

Answer 14

The processes that use renewable energy

Question 15

What are material cycles?

Answer 15

Where the waste product from one cycle is used as a raw material for another cycle

Question 16

How do material cycles work in natural processes?

Answer 16

Products produced naturally are biodegradable so they break down into non-toxic products and are used as raw materials for other natural processes.
This minimises environmental problems and is sustainable.

Question 17

Why are material cycles difficult to achieve in human processes?

Answer 17

Minerals or Toxic metals are often dispersed and are used to produce mixtures, these cannot be broken down and are difficult to reuse/recycle.
The toxic metals may bioaccumulate

Question 18

What are some principles of the circular economy?

Answer 18

Cycling of materials: biogeochemical cycles where there is no build up of wastes or depletion of raw materials
Human activities supporting more diverse ecosystems
Connected systems
Design products for end of use
Design products for reuse
Optimum production over maximum production
Renewable resources

Question 19

How can mineral resources be managed to be more sustainable?

Answer 19

Extend products lifespans through better design so that less minerals are exploited.
No planned obsolescence
Reducing unnecessary packaging
Replaceable parts

Question 20

How can wastes be managed to be more sustainable?

Answer 20

Repair
Re-use
Recycle
Refurbish
Re-purpose

Question 21

How can energy supplies be managed to be more sustainable?

Answer 21

Developing low temperature manufacturing processes
Developing methods to make storing renewable energy easier and increasing their density, e.g. parabolic reflectors, HEP, hydrogen storage

Question 22

What are some EU initiatives that support the circular economy?

Answer 22

Conservation of biodiversity by more sustainable forestry and agriculture, better protection of animals likes SPA.
Waste management/pollution control: Less landfill, more recycling, less packaging, less food waste,.
Management of water
Energy: use more biofuels, use wastes for energy production, more renewables.

Question 23

How can appliances be designed to make them more sustainable?

Answer 23

Improved design so they can be repaired instead of replaced.
Improved design so materials of the products can be recycled.
Reducing toxic materials used.
Easier battery replacement.
Using more recyclable materials in buildings and roads

Question 24

What is biocapacity?

Answer 24

The measure of the biological productivity of an area

Question 25

What ecological footprint?

Answer 25

The area of earths surface that is needed to provide the resources that are used by the human population and to deal with the wastes produced.

Question 26

What is the living planet index?

Answer 26

It is measured by the WWF, and it is a measure of the state of the planets ecosystems

Question 27

How has sustainable development been used in Ol Pejeta Game reserve, Kenya

Answer 27

Development from a cattle ranch to a cattle ranch with other wildlife.
Cattle used are Boran cattle because they are resistant to many diseases, they are kept in fenced areas overnight to stop predation.
Dung left by cattle increases growth

Question 28

How has sustainable development been used in Eigg, UK?

Answer 28

Not connected to the national grid, so they can use renewables and phase out fossil fuels.
3 HEP, solar panels and wind turbines.
Habitats have been created.
Recycled waste is shipped off the island but food waste is used as compost.

Question 29

How has sustainable development been used in Kalundborg eco-industrial park in Denmark?

Answer 29

An industrial park where the wastes of one industry are used as raw materials for another industry in that park.
Examples:
Coal power station waste of heat is used for domestic heating.
Fish farm waste of sludge is used as fertiliser
Medicine waste of yeast is used in pig food

Question 30

Name another circular economy you learned about in class related to bread

Answer 30

Beer is made from wasted bread from supermarkets that was being thrown away.
This has massively reduced waste

Question 31

What is the circular economy?

Answer 31

Involves using natural systems to create more sustainable lifestyles

Question 32

How is urban development used in circular economy?

Answer 32

Design and management of parks, buildings etc sustainably to provide habitats for wildlife to colonise

Question 33

How are agri-environmental schemes used in circular economy?

Answer 33

They optimise yields whilst benefitting wildlife

Question 34

How is forestry used in circular economy?

Answer 34

Mixed species forests increases wildlife

Question 35

How is fishery management used in circular economy?

Answer 35

Improved fishing methods that exploit fish sustainably whilst reducing bycatch and environmental damage

Question 36

How is Mineral exploitation used in circular economy?

Answer 36

Good management to minimise environmental impact and restoring after use

Question 37

How is pollution controlled in the circular economy?

Answer 37

Connected industries so a waste becomes a resource, like integrated manufacture e.g. waste energy used to heat homes/pig farms
Better design so wastes can be separated
Change from flue-gas desulfurisation to low-sulfur fuels

Question 38

How is wildlife managed in the Game reserve in kenya?

Answer 38

Electric fences to stop poachers getting in and animals escaping.
Biological corridors
Tracking collars to monitor movements
Drones to monitor and search for poachers
Ecotourism, this provides money to fund the reserve.
Locals are employed to provide jobs