Sustainable Development: Staying within the Planetary Boundaries (module 12)

Question 1

Define sustainability, and describe the components of a sustainable society.

Answer 1

• in the human scale of time, is able to endure, thrive, and regenerate without overburdening the living systems of the earth
• one that satisfies its needs without jeopardizing opportunities for future generations

Question 2

Recognize the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Answer 2

• no poverty
• end hunger
• good health
• quality education
• gender equality
• clean water
• affordable clean energy
• decent work
• industry
• reduced inequalities
• sustainable cities
• responsible consumption and production
• climate action
• life below water
• life on land
• peace, justice
• partnerships for the goals

Question 3

List the 5 transformational policies that Rockstrom suggests are necessary to allow us to reach the SDGs within the Planetary Boundaries, and compare them to the strategies Chan proposes for achieving sustainable development

Answer 3

1. rapid renewable energy growth
2. accelerated sustainable food chains
3. new development models in poorer countries
4. active inequality reduction (redistribution of money)
5. investment in education to all
6. visons of good life
7. total consumption and waste
8. latent values of responsibility
9. inequalities
10. justice and inclusion in conservation
11. externalities from trade and other tele couplings
12. responsible technology, innovation, investment
13. education and knowledge generation and sharing

Question 4

Explain why the concept of “waste” is unique to human systems.

Answer 4

• in natural systems, matter is neither created or destroyed, it is always recycled and used in other forms
• waster is uniquely created by humans, who no longer use/need an item and throw it away

Question 5

Explain the concept of an ecological footprint.

Answer 5

• the impact a country or individual has on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to support their use of natural resources

Question 6

Describe choices you can make on an individual scale to minimize your ecological footprint, and explain which planetary boundaries they address.

Answer 6

Two ways I can make my lifestyle more sustainable is by reducing my meat consumption and leaning more towards a plant-based diet as well as changing my modes of transportation by using more public transit or driving an electric vehicle. These changes would address the climate change boundary by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions as well as reducing the reliance on fossil fuels, which in turn lowers carbon emissions.