GEO 370 | Exam 1 - Sustainablity

Scientific principles of sustainability

solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling

Renewable resources

Trees, topsoil, freshwater

Full cost pricing

things are not priced accordingly

Nature deficit disorder

People who are not outside regularly have a lower regard for the environment: higher anxiety, less sleep, lower happiness levels

Nonrenewable resources

Fossil fuels, iron/copper

More developed countries

Higher average income, higher use of earths resources. US has 4.3% of the world’s population and uses 30% of the world’s resources

Ecological footprint

How many earths does it take to sustain your lifestyle? ~1.7 in 2018, 3 by 2050

Environmental impact formula

Impact (I) = Population (P) x Affluence (A) x Technology (T)

Major causes of environmental problems

population growth, wasteful/unsustainable resource use, nature deficit disorder

Affluenza

negative psychological and social effects of consumerism

Inexhaustible resources

solar/wind/geothermal energy

Individual actions you can take to be more sustainable

eating less meat, turning your lights/water off

Less developed countries

Middle to low income, 83% of the world's population use 30% of the earth’s resources