sustainable development Flashcards
Discuss the 2 main approaches to viewing the relationship between humans and the environment.
environment determinism: the natural environment as the basic factor controlling human development and activities.
ecological economic: perspective all activity affect life
What is the relationship between our socio-economic systems and ecosystems?
socio-economic system is dependent upon the ecosystem as a provider of energy and natural resources and as sink for wastes. ecosystem provides services
Can the socio-economic system expand indefinitely? Why or why not?
no cause it is limited. by the finite global biosphere
What is the “Anthropocene”?
an age that is define by the emergence of human action as a critical driver for change
According to the World Conservation Strategy, what 3 priorities should be incorporated into all
development programs?
- Maintenance of ecological process
- Sustainable use of resources
- maintenance of genetic diversity
What is the definition of sustainable development coined by the Brundtland Commission?
” Development which meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs”
Why might this be considered a vague definition?
what is needed? depends on time and people
Contrast and compare the economic and deep ecology worldviews. 2
dominance over nature: natural harmony symbiosis
consumerism and growth consumption: recycling
Distinguish between strong and weak sustainability.
weak: implies that development is sustainable as long at its capacity to generate income for future generation to come is maintained
strong: all the system is maintained
What are the three guiding principles of sustainable development?
- continued support human life
- continued maintenance of environmental quality and the long-term stock of biological resources
- the right of future generations to resources that are of equal worth to those used today
According to Dovers and Handmer what are common themes of the“precautionary principle”? ( better safe than sorry )
- uncertainty is unavoidable in sustainability issues
- uncertainty over severity of environmental impact resulting from a development decision or current human activity should not be an excuse to avoid of delay environmental protection measure
- the principle recommend we should anticipate and prevent environmental damage rather than simply heat after it has occurred
- the burden of proof should shift from the victim to the developed. those posing an action must show that it will not harm the environment or that whatever practical mesures available or prevention will be taken
What are some of the problems with this principle? ( precautionary principle )
the fact that uncertainty is unavailable could mean that a harmful impact of an action is not known until after the action has taken place and delay of new technologies
What is the“cradle to grave”approach?
a technic used to evaluate the environmental impact associated with all stage of a product life.
What is one of the central aims of environmental economics?
putting a price on environmental assets and services
What are the problems with this approach? ecological economic
who should be asked for willingness to pay. a lot of people are just ignorant
