Sustainable Living Flashcards
Define using interest vs Principal.
Goose and Golden Egg:
If we attack the principle (the goose), then there will be no more egg.
What are the 3 Fundamental categories or Triple Bottom Line?
Economic Dimension
Environmental Dimension
Ethical Dimension
(cannot focus on profit, people, or ethics alone - must be a broader picture)
Who coined the 3 Fundamental Categories, the Triple Bottom Line? When did it happen?
John Elkington in 1994
When did Rio de Janero occur?
1992
Who said “The failure of people in rich nations to make any significant sacrifices in order to assist people who are dying from poverty-related causes is ethically indefensible”? He means we have no reason to deny helping the poor and suffering. Makes it a moral and ethical obligation on our part to care for our brothers and sisters.
Peter Singer (2002)
Does posterity have rights?
Do we have duties for those who do not even exist?
We need to be responsible for future generations to enjoy the same benefits that we take for granted.
When did the debate concerning population explosion between Julian Simon and Paul Ehrlich begin?
1980
What was the debate between Julian Simon and Paul Ehrlich?
Simon was an economist and argued what we need to do is improve our technology. We can fix any problem with technological fixes.
Ehrlich was a biologist and argued to stop growth, development, population growth.
He suggested to Paul, “pick any 5 metals and a period of time in the future that you are sure these elements will go down in quantities and their price goes up.
(Tin, Nickel, Silver, Chromium)
5 elements for 10 years: Paul had to mail a check for $500.
Paul lost the battle, but won the war (because there was too short of a time period)
What is sustainable development, according to the Brundtland commission in 1987?
development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations
What year was Gro Harlem Brundtland asked to form and chair the “World Commission on Environment and Development”? She became known as the Brundtland Commission.
1983
In 1983, _____ was asked to form and chair the “World Commission on Environment and Development”. She was also a Prime minister and was from Norway.
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Gro Harlem Brundtland published ______ in 1987.
“Our Common Future”
Gro Harlem Brundtland published “Our Common Future in what year?
1987
What is the mathematical formulation for the environmental impact?
I = PAT
I (environmental impact)
P (population)
A (affluenza by consumption patterns)
T (technology)
Do you believe Americans consume too much? Does more material wealth always lead to greater happiness?
We all consume too much.
The things we buy are actually unnecessary.
No.
Do all people have the right to have children? What restrictions if any, should society place upon having children?
In China, 1 child policy.
In Singapore, 1st child is free. 2nd child and 3rd child is more pay to the government.
What are some energy-efficient and renewable energy revolutions?
- energy efficiency homes
- solar and wind energy
- electric cars (but are too expensive, not available to the common)
ex: Nissan Leaf, hydrogen fuel-cars, fuel cell vehicle (hydrogen tank), honda clarity
How do you decide which energy resources to use?
- what will be available in the future?
- net energy yield risks and costs
- level of government support (how are laws and regulations made for our well being to be protected - ex: tax on gasoline price - cost of running vehicles are expensive)
- economic and military security issues (nuclear)
- impacts on human health and the environment
A _____ stores hydrogen gas compressed at high pressure to increase driving range. It converts hydrogen gas and oxygen into electricity to power the motor.
hydrogen fuel-cell car
How can hydrogen power be an alternative to petroleum?
- its environmentally friendly
- takes energy to produce
- fuel cells are still very expensive
- hydrogen is produced from green-algae found in pond scum
- stores hydrogen
Houses that?
- straws put together, plastered with mud
- resistance, insulation, long term cooling or heating
- Strawbale House
2. Superinsulated House
Types of solar heating that?
- have greenhouses attached to the house so you are not using energy to do the cooling and the heating.
- heats up the water, water is stored in the tank, circulates around the house, gets to different parts and heats up the house - uses hot water.
- passive solar heating
2. active solar heating
How do you make a Cal-Earth home?
plaster with mud, sandbags, barbwires
What are 7 ways to save energy in buildings?
- Super insulation and passive solar heating
- Eco-roofs (green roofs)
- Insulate and plug leaks in existing buildings
- More efficient heating of buildings
- More efficient (tankless, instant) water heaters
- Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
- LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Buildings
