L4 Human Thriving in Planetary Boundaries

Supporting Services

services an ecosystem provides that necessary to maintain other natural systems.

necessary to make other services/natural systems possible

aka. ecosystem that keeps nature running

1. nutrient cycle

Regulating Services

services/benefits an ecosystem provides to regulate stability in natural systems/environment

aka, ecosystem that keeps environment balanced/stable

1. climate regulation

2. water purification

Provisioning Service

services/benefits that fulfill/provide for a human requirement of food and natural resources

1. energy

2. food

Cultural Services

services/provides something that relates that what humans value about their environment

1. peace

2. quiet

3. natural beauty

Ecological Footprint

measurement for anthropogenic forcing

measured in global hectares (gha)

measures how much area of productive land and water an individual/activity/population requires for their waste

Difficulties in a Consumption Based-Approach

1. Better Information → individuals will not change their mind if not educated

2. Collective Responsibility → agreements/standard set to ensure everyone follows

3. Inequality and Poverty → rich can change, poor need to increase consumption

4. System Redesign → restructure production and consumption systems

Difficulties in Technology Based Approach

1. If a technology exists or not

2. Scale of the challenge → costs, time

3. Planning and Implementation → resources, who will use it

4. Disruption of Existing systems, results in a new system change

when T-Type and A-Type strategies interact positively

T: technology

A: affluence spending/consumption per population

if technological innovations:

• expensive → reduced consumption (people buy less)

• disruptive → leads to alternative solutions being explored

Jevon’s Paradox / Rebound Effects

In theory, T and A will interact negatively

• Direct effect:

• new technology reduces cost → consumption increase → impact increace
  
  
  Indirect effect:
  money saved from direct effect is used for further consumption
  increased consumption
  impact on natural systems

When to use Technology Based and Consumption Based

Time constraints:
T: if theres enough time to develop new technology at current consumption level

A: if consumption must be reduced before technologies are introduced

Type of Problem:

T: if necessary

A: if possible and effective

Type of social change:

T: society adjust to anthropocence dominated by complex technology
A: adopt ot lean and green lifestlye

Type of Vision:
T: Good anthropocence → manipulating environment

2. Good anthropocence → living in haromny with nature