Week 1 SI

Question 1

What is the historical significance of the 1972 report “The Limits to Growth” by the Club of Rome?

Answer 1

It highlighted the risks of unchecked resource consumption, predicting potential population and industrial decline without major changes in resource use.

Question 2

How does the 1987 “Our Common Future” report define sustainable development?

Answer 2

Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

Question 3

What are the three pillars of the Triple Bottom Line in sustainability?

Answer 3

People (social impact), Planet (environmental impact), and Prosperity (economic impact).

Question 4

Who originally proposed the Triple Bottom Line concept, and why?

Answer 4

John Elkington proposed it in 1994 to encourage organizations to consider not only their economic value but also their environmental and social impacts.

Question 5

Explain the relationship between the Triple Bottom Line components.

Answer 5

True sustainability is achieved when solutions benefit people, the planet, and the economy equally, resulting in viable, equitable, and bearable outcomes.

Question 6

What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and when were they established?

Answer 6

Established in 2015, the SDGs are a global framework consisting of 17 goals to address critical issues like poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and climate change.

Question 7

Summarize the objective of SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Answer 7

SDG 1 aims to end poverty in all forms worldwide, with a specific target to halve the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2030.

Question 8

What is the primary focus of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)?

Answer 8

SDG 7 seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

Question 9

Describe the significance of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Answer 9

SDG 13 urges urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, with a goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Question 10

What is meant by “Life Below Water” in SDG 14?

Answer 10

SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use oceans, seas, and marine resources to prevent pollution, protect marine life, and mitigate ocean acidification.

Question 11

Define “renewable energy” in the context of SDG 7.

Answer 11

Renewable energy comes from natural sources that replenish over time, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy, making it sustainable for long-term use.

Question 12

Why are fossil fuels not considered renewable or clean energy sources?

Answer 12

Fossil fuels are finite, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and cause pollution, making them unsustainable and environmentally harmful.

Question 13

What is the purpose of the SDG Compass tool?

Answer 13

The SDG Compass helps businesses align their strategies with the SDGs by defining priorities, setting goals, and integrating sustainable practices.

Question 14

Describe the steps in using the SDG Compass to assess a product’s impact.

Answer 14

1) Define priorities, 2) Tag positive and negative impacts, 3) Set goals for improvement, 4) Create an action plan, 5) Summarize findings.

Question 15

How does SDG 4 (Quality Education) contribute to sustainability?

Answer 15

SDG 4 promotes inclusive and equitable education, which empowers individuals to improve their lives and drive sustainable development.

Question 16

Why is SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) essential for health and environmental stability?

Answer 16

SDG 6 ensures access to clean water and sanitation, which is critical for preventing diseases, supporting ecosystems, and improving quality of life.

Question 17

What is the “wedding cake” model of SDGs, and what does it prioritize?

Answer 17

The “wedding cake” model layers SDGs with ecological goals as the foundation, supporting social goals above, which in turn support economic goals.

Question 18

Give an argument against the priority order in the wedding cake model.

Answer 18

One could argue that social stability is essential before environmental goals can be effectively prioritized, especially in economically challenged regions.

Question 19

What are “social foundations” as outlined in Doughnut Economics?

Answer 19

Social foundations refer to minimum standards in areas like education, health, and equity, essential for ensuring human well-being within planetary limits.

Question 20

How does SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) address waste?

Answer 20

SDG 12 encourages efficient resource use, reduction of waste, and recycling to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable economies.

Question 21

Explain the purpose of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Answer 21

SDG 11 focuses on making urban areas inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable as the global population increasingly shifts to cities.

Question 22

What is “Earth Overshoot Day,” and how does it relate to the SDGs?

Answer 22

Earth Overshoot Day marks when humanity’s resource consumption exceeds Earth’s annual regenerative capacity, underscoring the need for sustainable practices

Question 23

Describe the role of SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in sustainable development.

Answer 23

SDG 5 aims to empower women and eliminate gender disparities, which strengthens economic growth and leads to more equitable societies.

Question 24

What is the relationship between SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and sustainable development?

Answer 24

Reducing inequalities promotes social stability, supports economic growth, and helps ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities.

Question 25

Define “climate adaptation” as it relates to the SDGs.

Answer 25

Climate adaptation involves modifying practices and infrastructure to minimize the harmful impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems.

Question 25

How does SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) support sustainable economies?

Answer 25

SDG 8 promotes sustainable economic growth, higher productivity, and decent work conditions, supporting a balanced approach to development.

Question 26

Define “climate mitigation” and its relevance to SDG 13.

Answer 26

Climate mitigation refers to actions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming, central to achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Question 27

Describe a potential criticism of the SDGs’ focus on economic growth.

Answer 27

Critics argue that traditional economic growth may conflict with sustainability, suggesting that alternative models like green growth or degrowth are needed.

Question 27

Why might prioritizing socio-economic SDGs over planetary boundaries be criticized?

Answer 27

Prioritizing socio-economic goals may undermine planetary boundaries, leading to ecological degradation that could ultimately impact human survival.

Question 28

Explain the relevance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) for achieving global sustainability.

Answer 28

SDG 17 emphasizes the importance of collaborative partnerships among governments, businesses, and communities to address complex sustainability challenges.