ESS 1.4/ 1.5

Sustainability

Sustainability

Usage of resources that allows full natural replacement of the resources.

Renewable Energy

Energy collected by renewable resources that are reloaded by nature.

Ex: sunlight (energy from solar panels)

Environmental Impact Assessment

The process of decision making for the environment/ proposing a new development. They provide decision makers with information.

Non- Renewable Energy

Energy collected by non-renewable resources. These cannot be replaced.

Ex:

• coal

• nuclear energy

Ecological Footprint

The area of land & water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate which they’re being consumed.

It can be increased by;

• usage of fossil fuels

• usage of energy

It can be reduced by;

• recycling

• reducing usenof resources

(MEA) Millenium Ecosystem Assessment

Was a research project that measured 24 indicators of ecosystems & their services. It expired in 2015 and the world agreed on the sustainable development goals.

Environmental Indicators

Anything that you can define to describe and measure a component of the environment.

Natural Capital

Natural resources that can supply a natural income of goods & services.

Pollution

It is the addition of a substance or an agent to an environment through human activity which has a large effect on the organisms.

Primary Pollution

• directly created

• identifiable sources

Ex:

• sulfur dioxide

• carbon monoxide

Secondary Pollution

• created by primary pollutants

Ex:

• acid rain

Persistent Organic Pollutants

Organic compounds that do not break down in the environment through chemical & biological processes.

Biodegradable Pollution

The pollution which breaks down naturally in the environment.

Acute Pollution

A single isolated incident such as an oil spill.

Chronic Pollution

Long term release of a pollutant.

Point Pollution

Release of pollutants from a single clearly identifiable source.

Ex:

• waste disposal pipe of a factory into a river

• Chernobyl

Non-Point Pollution

Release of pollutants from numerous, widely dispersed origins.

Ex:

• gasses from the exhaust system of a car

Disadvantages of DDT

• Alternative methods of pest control exist.

• Effects other wildlife.

• Significant ecological effects.

• Leads to premature birth.

Advantages of DDT

• Non-toxic

• Safe is used properly.

• Alternatives not as effective.

Organic Pollutant Example

Sewage release into water system

Inorganic Pollutant Example

Plastic floating in the ocean

Light Pollutant Example

Sea front development with lights that are on all night

Sound Pollutant Example

Oil and gas exploration in ocean

Thermal Pollutant Example

Thermal power plant releasing warm water into river

Biological Agent Pollutant Example

E-coli contamination in water

Invasive Species Pollutant Example

Cane toads in Australia

Pollution Management: Altering Human Activity

Pollution Management: Controlling Release of Pollutant

Pollution Management: Clean-up and Restoration of Damaged Systems

Sustainable Development

Development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Natural Incıme

The yield obtained from natural resources.

Services

Ecosystems may provide life supporting services.

Goods

Physical items that are renewable or non-renewable.

Rio Earth Summit to Agenda 21

Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations. Sustainable material cycles, ecological land use and sufficiency.