Sustainable Living

Question 1

Define using interest vs Principal.

Answer 1

Goose and Golden Egg:

If we attack the principle (the goose), then there will be no more egg.

Question 2

What are the 3 Fundamental categories or Triple Bottom Line?

Answer 2

Economic Dimension
Environmental Dimension
Ethical Dimension

(cannot focus on profit, people, or ethics alone - must be a broader picture)

Question 3

Who coined the 3 Fundamental Categories, the Triple Bottom Line? When did it happen?

Answer 3

John Elkington in 1994

Question 4

When did Rio de Janero occur?

Answer 4

1992

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

Peter Singer (2002)

Question 6

Does posterity have rights?

Do we have duties for those who do not even exist?

Answer 6

We need to be responsible for future generations to enjoy the same benefits that we take for granted.

Question 7

When did the debate concerning population explosion between Julian Simon and Paul Ehrlich begin?

Answer 7

1980

Question 8

What was the debate between Julian Simon and Paul Ehrlich?

Answer 8

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)

Question 9

What is sustainable development, according to the Brundtland commission in 1987?

Answer 9

development that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations

Question 10

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.

Answer 10

1983

Question 11

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.

Answer 11

Gro Harlem Brundtland

Question 12

Gro Harlem Brundtland published ______ in 1987.

Answer 12

“Our Common Future”

Question 13

Gro Harlem Brundtland published “Our Common Future in what year?

Answer 13

1987

Question 14

What is the mathematical formulation for the environmental impact?

Answer 14

I = PAT

I (environmental impact)
P (population)
A (affluenza by consumption patterns)
T (technology)

Question 15

Do you believe Americans consume too much? Does more material wealth always lead to greater happiness?

Answer 15

We all consume too much.
The things we buy are actually unnecessary.
No.

Question 16

Do all people have the right to have children? What restrictions if any, should society place upon having children?

Answer 16

In China, 1 child policy.

In Singapore, 1st child is free. 2nd child and 3rd child is more pay to the government.

Question 17

What are some energy-efficient and renewable energy revolutions?

Answer 17

1. energy efficiency homes
2. solar and wind energy
3. electric cars (but are too expensive, not available to the common)

ex: Nissan Leaf, hydrogen fuel-cars, fuel cell vehicle (hydrogen tank), honda clarity

Question 18

How do you decide which energy resources to use?

Answer 18

1. what will be available in the future?
2. net energy yield risks and costs
3. 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)
4. economic and military security issues (nuclear)
5. impacts on human health and the environment

Question 19

A _____ stores hydrogen gas compressed at high pressure to increase driving range. It converts hydrogen gas and oxygen into electricity to power the motor.

Answer 19

hydrogen fuel-cell car

Question 20

How can hydrogen power be an alternative to petroleum?

Answer 20

• 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

Question 21

Houses that?

1. straws put together, plastered with mud
2. resistance, insulation, long term cooling or heating

Answer 21

1. Strawbale House

2. Superinsulated House

Question 22

Types of solar heating that?

1. have greenhouses attached to the house so you are not using energy to do the cooling and the heating.
2. 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.

Answer 22

1. passive solar heating

2. active solar heating

Question 23

How do you make a Cal-Earth home?

Answer 23

plaster with mud, sandbags, barbwires

Question 24

What are 7 ways to save energy in buildings?

Answer 24

1. Super insulation and passive solar heating
2. Eco-roofs (green roofs)
3. Insulate and plug leaks in existing buildings
4. More efficient heating of buildings
5. More efficient (tankless, instant) water heaters
6. Energy-efficient appliances and lighting
7. LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Buildings