Week 2: Notes (Page 3) Part 2 Flashcards
Explain why civilizations of the past struggled when they reached limits on expansion.
When populations outgrew available resources, cities overtook farmlands, leading to food shortages, increased poverty, and often revolutions.
Describe how “limits” could transform modern society.
By using only what is necessary, we could reduce environmental impact, preserve resources for future generations, and create more equitable resource distribution.
Match each term with its description:
- Enlightenment
- Safe Operating Space
- Material Possessions
- Agriculture Land Use
DESCRIPTION:
A) Essential for food production but often redirected for profit-driven projects.
B) Mental and spiritual growth through reflection, sometimes disappointment.
C) Belongings that society has conditioned people to value highly.
D) Sustainable space for humanity within Earth’s ecological limits.
1 - B
2 - D
3 - C
4 - A
Fill-in-the-Blank
To live within environmental limits, we need to ensure that the ___ have more, while everyone else uses less.
A: poor
Fill-in-the-Blank
___ allows us to develop sustainably without further destruction of natural resources.
Algae production
Why is it argued that economics is not a “real science”?
Economics often fails to account for ecological and biological factors, focusing primarily on growth and profit. True sciences, like biology or ecology, factor in natural processes essential for life, making economics seem inadequate as a framework for understanding and sustaining the Earth.
How does human nature’s desire to be “the same as those around you” impact sustainable living?
This desire leads to materialism and consumption patterns that exceed what’s sustainable, as people often strive for lifestyles seen in media or among peers rather than adopting sustainable practices.
Imagine a community that depends heavily on agricultural land. A corporation proposes using part of this land to produce biofuels. What are the potential impacts, and how could they balance economic benefits with sustainability?
Using agricultural land for biofuel production could threaten food security by reducing available land for food crops. Sustainable alternatives, like algae, could offer similar economic benefits without taking away from essential farmland.
The Amazon is sometimes called “the lungs of America.” What does this analogy suggest about its role in the environment?
Just as lungs are essential for breathing, the Amazon provides oxygen, stores carbon, and supports biodiversity, making it essential for the health of the planet and people.
If humanity masters technological advancements to the extent of “playing god,” how can we ensure moral responsibility keeps pace?
Ensuring moral responsibility requires ethical guidelines, education, and a commitment to use technology for collective good rather than individual or corporate profit.
