Unit 0 - Sustainability Flashcards
How many Earths would be needed if every human consumed as much as the average American?
4.
What is sustainability?
Meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Environment - maintaining the Earth’s life support systems.
Social - maintaining community capacity that fosters effective participation and ‘equitable’ treatment of all stakeholders.
Economic - maintaining an economic system that provides a non-declining standard of living for this and future generations.
What is an example of chemistry that affects multiple SDGs?
The Haber Process (chemistry of reactive nitrogen).
It affects Peace as the ammonia is used to make explosives.
It affects affordable energy as lots of energy is required for nitrogen fertilizer production.
It affects the climate as nitrous oxides are produced.
It affects hunger and therefore no poverty and good health and wellbeing as nitrogen fertilizers are used.
It affects responsible consumption and production which in turn affects clean water, life below water and life on land through overproduction of nitrogen fertilizers.
What is the ‘take-make-dispose’ economy?
A linear system where nothing is recycled and raw materials are used for new products.
Waste is very high.
What is a ‘circular’ economy?
New products are made using the waste of an old product (recycling).
What is chemical leasing?
Instead of making a product and trying to increase sales volume, the unit of payment is the effect the chemical has.
Where has chemical leasing been used effectively?
In the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. It has resulted in a 60% agrochemical cost reduction, increased workplace safety and fewer pesticides being sprayed.
What is green chemistry?
The design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of substances hazardous to health or the environment.
