Unit 4 AOS1

Question 1

Sustainability

Answer 1

The ability to share the earths resources for the survival or current and future generations of all species while ensuring ongoing healthy environments

-The ongoing capacity of earth to main all life.

Question 2

3 Pillars

Answer 2

• Economic
• Social
• Environmental

Question 3

Economic

Answer 3

Economic development refers to the promotion of standards of living & market productivity of a country. Many Countries have focused on resource extraction and manufacturing processes, which have detrimental environmental impacts when attempting to improve their economic growth.

Question 4

Social

Answer 4

Social development refers to the social wellbeing of all people with an ability to meet all basic needs for survival. We live in a word with excessive inequality where there is a massive gap between the rich & poor

Question 5

Environmental Protection

Answer 5

Environmental protection …

Question 6

Critiques of Sustainability

Answer 6

• too expensive
• oxymoron (Contradiction) its impossible
• ‘Binary Views’ (Its good or its bad no middle ground)
• ecocentric- focus on environment
• anthropocentric- focus on economy

Question 7

Indicators of Healthy outdoor environments

Answer 7

• Infrastructure, ^ pressure on resources
• air quality- smog, clear, dust, allergys
• soil quality - Dark, vegetation, moist, PH, is there farm any run off or fertiliser
• water quality - Can you drink it, smell, floaty’s, mercury, flow.
• biodiversity - range of plants and animals, native plants and animals, less introduced species

Question 8

Bio-Capacity

Answer 8

The earths capacity to produce materials & absorb waste generated by humans.
we measure it in global hectares

Question 9

What is the worlds bio capacity
how much do we use
how much in Victoria

Answer 9

**The earths bio capacity is 1.8 hectares per person
currently consuming 2.7 per person
and in Victoria 6.8 per person **

Question 10

Bio-Diversity

Answer 10

The range of plant and animal species in a particular region.
-Natives & birds

Question 11

Types of Bio-Diversity

Answer 11

• Genetic
• Species
• Ecosystem

Question 12

Genetic Bio-Diversity

Answer 12

Refers to differences between animals/plants of the same species. Eg All German shepherds, ducks and even people don’t look the same!

Question 13

Species Bio-Diversity

Answer 13

Is the variety of species. Dogs and chimps are different species and cannot breed!

Question 14

Ecosystem Bio-Diversity

Answer 14

Is the variety of habitats in a region. Victoria has alps, coastal and woodlands which are homes to different animals.

Question 15

State of environment Reports

Answer 15

The SOE reports have been released by the federal government over the past five years (since 1996).
They contain key info on
# Current condition.
# Pressures on environments.
# Management strategies.

• Atmosphere
• Coasts

Question 16

Atmosphere

-Good

Answer 16

Australia has met it’s targets regarding ODS’S (Ozone Depleting Gases)
Air quality in major urban centres (cities) is good. It’s excellent in rural areas.
Levels of carbon monoxide, Sulphur dioxide.

Question 17

Atmosphere

-Bad

Answer 17

Increase in CO2 2.3 parts per million (ppm). 95% chance it’s human caused.
Increase of 50% CO2 emissions from humans, due to coal being burned.
2015 (year before report) was the warmest on record.
Increase of 1 degree past 100 years. Springs of 2013,2014,2015 were the warmest on record.
Oceans absorb 25% CO2, but are turning acidic (e.g Barrier reef).
Increase population, increase human activities, increase power use = increase in smog.

Question 18

Atmosphere

What can we do

Answer 18

Turn lights off in unoccupied rooms.
Turn air con off in unoccupied rooms.
Insulate walls and ceilings.
Wear warm clothes instead of air con if you are cold.
Keep showers short (heating water uses energy)
Recycle (less production for factories)
Try and keep packaging to a minimum.
Select energy efficient appliances.

Question 19

Coasts

-Good

Answer 19

New improved fishing techniques have reduced the number of turtles, dolphins etc caught in nets.
More attention paid to storm water run off by councils and local governments.
17.6 million hectares of Marine national parks.
North west and north east of country are in good shape.
Some threatened species and systems (crocodiles and mangroves) are in ‘good’ condition.

Question 20

Coasts

-Bad

Answer 20

Oz waters are more susceptible to marine ‘pests’ than first thought.
Human settlements have encroached upon natural environments and added pressure to these regions. Pressure is set to increase over the next few decades.
Large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus (usually from farming run off) still is being discharged into coastal and estuarine waters.
Ability to monitor the coast is somewhat limited as there is so much of it to monitor (world’s largest island).
Degradation of ecosystems is directly linked with increase population, agriculture and industrial development.
1247 floral, 425 faunal species under threat (EPBC ACT ‘99) and many of these are by the coast. Migratory birds (Shearwaters) decreased as did some sea grasses.

Question 21

Coasts

-What can we do

Answer 21

Minimise single use items such as coffee cups and plastic bags.
Reduce, re use, recycle.
Dispose of litter and chemicals properly.
Wash cars at car wash facilities as they recycle the water.
Collect water in shower, sink and re use if possible.
Service boats, cars regularly to prevent leaks.
Don’t litter in the street, yard etc.
Stick to catch limits and respect marine National Parks.

Question 22

Sustainable development

Answer 22

Is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs