Topic 1 - Introduction to Sustainability

Question 1

What is the WCED definition of Sustainable Development?

Answer 1

“Developments that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

Question 2

Match the definition of Inter-species equity and Intra-species equity

1. Making sure other species and their habitat can co-exist
2. Making sure that all of us have the same rights and opportunities now and in the future

Answer 2

Inter-species equity - Making sure other species and their habitat can co-exist

Intra-species equity - Making sure that all of us have the same rights and opportunities now and in the future

Question 3

Making sure that the lack of scientific certainty doesn’t compromise common sense to minimize risks is called…. (the pre—ut–nary pri—ple)

Answer 3

Precautionary Principle

Question 4

What are the 3 elements of the Triple Bottom Line?

Answer 4

• People
• Planet
• Profit

Question 5

What are the 2 extremes on the Sustainability Spectrum?

Answer 5

Weak Camp: Optimists

Strong Camp: Pessimists

Question 6

• A ‘Simple’ problem is - Easy to solve - eg. How to bake a cake. Established methods.
• A ‘Complex’ problem - Resists solving - eg. Putting man on the moon. Multiple stakeholders with a clear goal.
• A ‘Wicked’ problem - Re….. def…… - eg. Housing affordability and availability. Multiple stakeholders with competing and conflicting interests.

Answer 6

A Wicked problem resists defining.

There are more than 140 definitions of Sustainability…