Sustainability Note Cards

What are two possible extremes of our future?

1. We are on the threshold of planetary disaster

2. Sustainable Societies

Define the 3 pillars of sustainability

1. Environment → Planet

2. Economic → Prosperity

3. Equity → People

Define sustainable development

Economic development that is conducted without the depletion of natural resources.

Define a sustainable society

A sustainable society is one that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations of both humans and other species.

Explain how sustainable development relates to growth and development

Growth is quantitative (quantity) whereas development is qualitative (quality)

Sustainable development aims to improve quality of life (development) without excessive increases in resource use or production (growth), ensuring long-term balance for people and the environment.

Define Carrying Capacity

The number of people, other living organisms, or crops that a region can support without environmental degradation

What are 4 ways to avoid overshooting the Earth’s Carrying Capacity?

1. Using renewable resources at a rate no faster than they are regenerating

2. Using nonrenewable resources at a rate no faster than they can be replaced by renewable substitutes

3. Emit waste and pollutants at a rate no faster than they can safely be broken down into the environment

4. Maintain the health of ecosystems which is our life support system

Define Resilience Systems

A resilient system adapts to change without losing it essential qualities

Provide characteristics of a resilient system and give short explanations for each

1. Diversity → Diversity refers to having a variety of elements, components, or strategies within the system

2. Connectivity → Connectivity refers to the relationships and interactions between the components of the system

3. Self-organizing → Self-organizing systems can reorganize themselves in response to disruptions without external control

Define Thresholds and Tipping Points → Provide an example

Thresholds: Points where small changes in environmental conditions cause a system to shift significantly. Crossing a threshold can lead to irreversible changes.

Tipping Points: Critical moments when a system rapidly shifts to a new state, often triggered by passing a threshold.

Example: Rising ocean temperatures may reach a threshold where coral reefs experience mass bleaching—a tipping point for the ecosystem.

What are the 9 Planetary Boundaries?

1. Ozone Depletion

2. Safe/unsafe levels of aerosol in the atmosphere

3. Ocean Acidification

4. Novel entities → synthetic chemicals

5. Fresh Water Use

6. Land system change → having ecosystems for human use

7. Biosphere Integrity

8. Biogeochemical flows → Phosphorus, Nitrogen (Agriculture fertilizer)

9. Climate Change

Define a Wicked Problem

A Wicked Problem is a complex problem that is interconnected and always changing. These problems are slow moving and there is not a single thing to blame

What are aspects of the 5th Great Turning

• Discovery of fire

• development of language

• use of fossil fuels (Industrial Revolution)

• Agriculture

• Sustainable Regenerative Society → Renewable energy, Stable state economics

What were the 3 revolutions listed in the Joanna Macy Video

1. The Agricultural Revolution

2. The Industrial Revolution

3. The Great Turning (Now)

Explain what The Great Turning is from the Joanna Macy video

The Great Turning is the transition from industrial growth society to a life sustaining society

Explain Holding Actions from the Joanna Macy video

Holding actions are actions that slow down the industrial growth society, but it’s not enough on its own

4 factors of the Quadruple Squeeze

1. Population

2. Climate Change

3. Ecosystem Decline

4. Suprise

In the Joanna Macy video, she talks about 3 components that need to be in balance for us to go from a growth society to a life-sustaining society. what are the components?

1. Holding Actions

   • Examples: Protests, lawsuits

2. Structures

   • Examples: Architecture, Different (new) ways of doing things, electricity (renewable), recycling, agriculture, forestry

3. Values

   • Examples: Mindset, How we see our place in the world, Humans vs. earth, Everything is connected so we must act thoughtfully

Define the Gaia hypothesis. Hint: What does gaia mean?

(Gaia means Mother Earth)

Earth is one large, complex, interactive/interconnective organism

Identify the 3 major shifts/phases in human history

1. Agricultural Phase

2. Industrial Phase

3. Planetary Phase (Now) → Global porosity for everything, interconnected in one way or another

How is the Planetary Phase different from the Agricultural and the Industrial Phase?

The phase is about global common wealth and interconnectivity whereas the other phases are more focused on individuals and not society.

What was the Global Citizens Movement focused on?

• Quality of life

• Equity

• Justice

• Peace

What is the first law of Thermodynamics?

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

What is the second law of Thermodynamics?

When energy is transformed from one form to another about 90% of that energy is released into the environment

Example:

1000cal of grass → 100cal of cow → 10cal of energy for humans

Define Reciprocity

The mutual exchange between two or more participants → The give-and-take

Track carbon from oil into your body

Oil → Gasoline → Emitted CO2 → Absorbed by Plant (Carbohydrates) → We eat plant → Carbohydrates + Carbon from oil now in our bodies

Nitrogen Cycle Summary

Nitrogen moves between the atmosphere, soil, plants, animals, and back, supporting life and maintaining ecosystem balance

Symbiosis in Soil Bacteria and Plants → In A Nutshell

Symbiosis is a mutually beneficial relationship between two different organisms. In the soil, this often occurs between nitrogen-fixing bacteria and leguminous plants

Symbiosis in Soil Bacteria and Plants → Benefits

• Plants grow better in nitrogen-poor soils.

• Bacteria get a stable environment and food source.

This relationship improves soil fertility and helps sustain ecosystems

Define Symbiotic Relations

One organism gives another what it needs and feeds it in return

Symbiotic Relations Examples

• Plant feeds sugar to Nitrogen fixing bacteria → bacteria feeds the plant nitrogen

• Plant feeds fungi sugars → Fungi feeds the plant nutrients the plant can’t reach on its own

I = PxAxT → Identify these components in the equation

Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology

Approximately how many additional humans must the Earth support each day over 24 hours? (Births - Deaths)

175,000 - 250,000 = 75,000

What are the 4 Population Growth Factors

1. Education of Women

2. Children are cost and a liability in the city → Children are an asset in rural areas (Ex. Working on a farm)

3. Culture → Religion Included

4. Technology/Medical

1 American citizen’s comsumption is equal to:

__= Western Europe or Japan

__= China

__= India

__= Ethiopia and Bangladesh

2 = Western Europe or Japan

4 = China

15 = India

48 = Ethiopia and Bangladesh

Affluent Countries

Have the most room for improvement by decreasing consumption

Developing Countries

Have most room for improvement through decreasing population

Technologies impact

• Technology can increase or decrease the impact

• Example of good impact: Providing technology and resources for developing countries to leapfrog dirty/polluting technologies

What is Human-Produced Capital?

Human-Produced Capital: Refers to the physical assets and infrastructure that humans create to aid in production and economic activities. These include buildings, machinery, technology, and tools that improve efficiency and productivity.

• Example: Factories, roads, computers, and vehicles.

What is Natural Capital?

Refers to the Earth's natural resources and ecosystems that provide services essential for life and economic activities. It includes things like water, air, forests, minerals, and biodiversity.

• Example: Forests for timber, rivers for water, and soil for agriculture

Define Weak Sustainability

• Neo-classical economic approach

• General believe man-made capital can be substituted for natural capital as long as the total amount remains unchanged

• Example synthetic foods

Define Strong Sustainability

• Ecological economists

• Believe that human-produced and natural capital are not interchangeable → Natural capital is the limiting factor

Explain Global Warming

• 1.2*C warmer than pre-industry

• Creates instability in the climate system:

  • More difficult to predict

  • greater weather extremes

Explain Global Food Production Instability

Global food production instability is the fluctuating and often unpredictable availability, accessibility, and affordability of food across the world. It can result from a combination of environmental, economic, political, and social factors that disrupt the regular supply of food.

Key difference between Human-Produced and Natural capital

• Human-Produced Capital is created by human effort and innovation to support production and development.

• Natural Capital exists naturally and provides the essential resources and services needed by all living organisms, including humans.

What are causes of Global Food Production Instability?

• Climate Change

• Soil Degradation

• Supply Chain Disruptions

• Economic Factors

• Population Growth

• Pests and Diseases

Food Production Instability Impacts

• Food insecurity, malnutrition, and hunger, particularly in vulnerable regions.

• Economic instability, as agriculture is often a key sector in many economies.

• Increased migration, as people may leave areas with food scarcity in search of better opportunities.

Addressing food production instability involves improving agricultural practices, investing in sustainable farming, strengthening food systems, and mitigating climate change.

What is evidence of global warming?

• Weather system data changes / satellite data

• Changes in snow/ice cover

• Sea levels

• Flowering/fruiting times of plants

• Migration times and locations times of Animals

What do we need to do about global warming?

• Stop the acceleration of the warming by GHGs

• Reducing emissions

• Protecting and restoring ecosystems

• Adapting to climate change

• Regenerative Agriculture (Stores carbon in soil)

Greenhouse Gases Breakdown → What is it?

Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect, which leads to global warming and climate change

Greenhouse Gases Breakdown → Most Common Gases

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): The most significant contributor to global warming.

• Methane (CH₄): More potent than CO₂ but shorter-lived.

• Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): A powerful GHG, primarily from agriculture.

• Water Vapor (H₂O): A natural GHG, but its presence is influenced by other gases.

• Ozone (O₃): Acts as a GHG in the lower atmosphere.

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): Man-made GHGs with a long-term environmental impact.

Why are GHG’s Important?

Our planet would not be livable without the GHG’s

Paris Climate Breakdown → What is it?

An international treaty aimed at addressing global climate change by limiting global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was adopted in December 2015 by 196 countries at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris.

Paris Climate Breakdown → Key Features

• Binding Temperature Targets: The main goal is to keep global warming below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C.

• Non-Binding Emissions Reduction Commitments: Each country sets its own climate targets (NDCs), with periodic updates.

• The US is no longer a part of this plan

U.S. Actions on Climate Change → 2022 Inflation Reduction Act

• Biggest US climate law

• Expanding clean energy sources (wind, solar, geothermal).

• Providing tax incentives for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy development.

• Reducing emissions in the industrial sector and encouraging green technology innovation.

• Was projected to decrease U.S. GHG emissions 40% by 2030

U.S. Emissions compared to 2005

We need to act quickly to decrease GHG emissions before they reach a tipping point → We are moving in the right directions but we are moving very slow

Define Postive Feedbacks

Positive Feedbacks are processes that amplify or reinforce an initial change or effect, making it stronger or more intense over time. It can either be good or bad. In the context of climate change, positive feedbacks can accelerate global warming or environmental changes by creating a cycle that increases the original effect.

Example of a Positive Feedback → Permafrost

Increase in global temp → melting of permafrost (frozen ground) → release of methane + CO2 when decay → cause global temp to be greater → cycle repeats

Thresholds + Tipping Points

At some temperature Earth systems will naturally accelerate warming even if we stop adding more GHG’s

Another Positive feedback example

Increase in temp → decrease in snow and ice → land absorbing more heat from sun more than the snow and ice → temp increases again → restarts

Ocean Acidification Breakdown → What is it?

The process where the oceans become more acidic as they absorb excess carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This shift in pH can have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Ocean Acidification Breakdown → Key Causes

• Increased CO₂ Emissions:

  • Human Activities: The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other activities release large amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere. A significant portion of this CO₂ is absorbed by the oceans.

• Absorption by Oceans:

  • The ocean absorbs about 30-40% of the CO₂ released into the atmosphere, forming carbonic acid (H₂CO₃).

• Chemical Reactions:

  • Carbonic acid dissociates into bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻) and hydrogen ions (H⁺), increasing the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water, which lowers the pH and increases acidity.

Ocean Acidification Breakdown → Impacts on Ocean

1. Harm to Marine Life:

   • Acidic water makes it harder for shell-forming creatures (like corals and mollusks) to build their shells, weakening their structures.

2. Disruption of the Food Chain:

   • Changes in plankton, which are crucial for the food chain, can affect larger sea creatures, including fish and whales.

3. Damage to Ecosystems:

   • Acidification can change the behavior and survival of many marine species, affecting whole ecosystems.

4. Economic Losses:

   • Fisheries relying on shellfish and marine organisms face potential declines in their populations, hurting local economies.

5. Weakened Carbon Absorption:

   • The oceans may struggle to absorb CO₂, making climate change worse.

Rate of Warming: How Fast Is It?

• The current warming rate is 0.2°C per decade, which is about 20 times faster than natural climate variations.

• This rapid warming is mainly due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.

Natural Climate Variability: How Did Past Changes Happen?

• In the past, climate changes occurred over centuries or millennia.

• During ice age transitions, warming happened at a rate of 0.1–0.2°C per century, much slower than today.

Speed of Climate Change: Natural vs. Current Warming

• Natural Changes: Happen gradually over thousands of years.

• Current Warming: Happening rapidly within decades, much faster than past climate shifts.

Causes of Climate Change: Natural vs. Human-Driven

• Natural Causes: Include volcanic eruptions, solar radiation, and Earth's orbital shifts.

• Current Warming: Driven by human-made greenhouse gas emissions, increasing temperatures at an unnatural rate.

Magnitude of Climate Change: Past vs. Future Projections

• Past Changes: Moderate temperature shifts over long periods.

• Present & Future: Warming is much more intense, with temperatures expected to rise 2–5°C by 2100.

Issues in regards to Global warming rate

Its happening at a very fast rate and humans are causing it → if it slows down, ecosystems can adapt

Water → How much of the Earths water is saltwater? Why have we not done much about converting it to freshwater?

• 97.5% of Earths water

• Converting to freshwater is energy intensive

Water → What are the worlds percentages of freshwater’s makeup? (Snow/ice, ground, and lakes/rivers)

Freshwater makes up 2.5% of the world’s water

• 69.5% of freshwater is snow and ice

• 30% of freshwater is groundwater

• 0.4% of freshwater is lakes and rivers

Based on the Global values, what are the percentages of freshwater use? (Agriculture, Industry, and Domestic)

Agriculture = 70% → Big part of this is irrigation water

Industry = 20%

Domestic = 10%

Globally there is an uneven distribution of freshwater

Modern Solutions for Freshwater

1. Use groundwater

2. build reservoirs (storage)

3. Transfer water to Areas that don’t have enough

4. Desalinization of ocean water

What type of water exists everywhere but is not extractable at a useable rate everywhere?

Groundwater

What is an Aquifer?

A body of porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater. Groundwater enters an aquifer as precipitation seeps through the soil → It is not an underground lake

What are qualities that a good Aquifer has?

1. Needs to have High porosity → Holds H2O

2. High permeability → Water being able to move and refill areas we used

Why can Aquifers run out of water?

If you extract more groundwater than enters the aquifer it will eventually run out → for example, a bank account

Arizona is an example of an aquifer running out. What happened in Phenix and Tucson?

They were running out of groundwater → they got the federal government to transfer surface water from the Colorado River to help them out

What is the Central Arizona Project (CAP)?

A massive water delivery system designed to bring water from the Colorado River to central and southern Arizona, including major cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and surrounding agricultural areas → transfers water over 300 miles.

What is the High Plains/Ogalla Aquifer?

The High Plains Aquifer, also known as the Ogallala Aquifer, is one of the largest groundwater systems in the world. It stretches beneath eight states in the central United States, providing crucial water resources for agriculture, industry, and communities.

Location: Covers parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas.

What are the 4 purposes of Dams?

1. Flood control → ideally when empty

2. Electricity Production

3. Recreation

4. Water storage

To maximize the last 3 you want the reservoir to be full

What do Dams do to river systems?

Dams greatly alter river systems and can harm the salmon reproduction

What is the lifecycle of a Salmon? What do Fish Ladders do?

• Born in freshwater → Migrate to the ocean

• Adults migrate back to the river where they were born

• Young grow in rivers for 1-2 years then they migrate to the ocean

• Fish ladders allow adults to move upstream

Klamath Dam Removal → What are the impacts?

• Fish Migration: Opening over 400 miles of habitat for salmon and steelhead previously blocked by four dams.

• Water Quality: Improved oxygen levels and reduced harmful algal blooms by restoring natural water flow.

• Ecosystem Recovery: Expected rebound of aquatic and riparian species, promoting biodiversity.

Elhwa River Dam Removal → What are the Impacts?

• Fish Recovery: Salmon and steelhead returned to over 70 miles of spawning habitat after 100+ years of blockage.

• Sediment Flow: Release of millions of tons of sediment rebuilt riverbanks and estuaries.

• Ecosystem Rebound: Increased wildlife habitats, healthier forests, and improved coastal ecosystems at the river mouth.

• Cultural Significance: Restored traditional fishing grounds for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.

Finding the Mother Tree Reading → What was the research question?

Do birch and Douglas fir trees compete or cooperate through underground fungal networks?

Finding the Mother Tree Reading → What was the experiment method?

• Used radioactive carbon isotopes to track carbon transfer between birch and fir trees.

• Injected labeled carbon dioxide into one species and measured isotope movement in the other.

• Checked isotope levels in leaves and roots to confirm resource sharing.

Finding the Mother Tree Reading → What was the experiments conclusions?

• Carbon moved between birch and fir trees, supporting a mutualistic relationship.

• Birch trees helped Douglas firs by transferring carbon, especially under stress.

Finding the Mother Tree Reading → How was this important to forestry impacts?

• Challenges traditional forestry practices that remove birch to favor fir growth.

• Forests with mix-species experiences enhance tree resilience and growth.

Finding the Mother Tree Reading → What are human connections that have a similar relationship?

• Similar to resource-sharing in communities (e.g., food banks, mentorship, cooperatives).

• Cooperation strengthens in both forests and human societies.

What is important to know about toxins?

• Small amount doesn’t harm much but a larger amount can harm or kill you

• All things can be toxic

• The environment typically neutralizes or dissipates pollutants of natural origins if not in extremely high concentrations.

• Toxins don’t affect everyone to the same level/equally

What is important to know about synthetic pollutants?

• Also known as Xenobiotic Compounds

• Are typically more toxic to humans than natural toxins → Lower amount is more likely to harm you

What is Diazinon?

• Type of insecticide

• Neurotoxin → toxic to nerves

What study was done to the Willamette River Basin and how is it related to Diazinon?

• Tested water samples from the river

• 35% of the water samples contained Diazinon

• Over half of the samples were over passed the limit on what was considered safe to be in the water

How are Salmon affected by Diazinon in the water?

• affects young salmons ability to identify a predator/danger

• affects/inhibits male salmons reproductive behavior

What is Bioaccumulation?

• Bioaccumulation is the gradual buildup of toxic substances in an organism over time → The accumulation of toxins in our cells

• This is most common of the toxins are fat soluble → meaning stored in our body fat

• worst for long-lived organisms

What is Biomagnification?

The process by which the concentration of toxic substances increases as they move up the food chain. This occurs because predators consume multiple prey that have already accumulated toxins, leading to higher levels in top predators.

Example, If an insect has been exposed to an insecticide, and an Eagle ate a fish who ate the insect, it is more likely to harm the Eagle

What is the Endocrine System and how do Endocrine Disruptors affect this?

Endocrine System = Body system that regulates hormones

Endocrine Disruptors = Category of Toxins

Many synthetic chemicals mess with or affect our Endocrine system → Endocrine Disruptors being one of them

Some Endocrine Disruptors can mimic estrogen in our bodies

BPA is an example of a synthetic toxin that can mimic estrogen. What is it?

• Bisphenol-A

• Chemical used in making polycarbonate or hard plastics

• Still used frequently in the lining of cans

• Now banned from being used for baby products in the US

Atrazine is another example of a synthetic toxin that can mimic estrogen. What is it?

• Type of herbicide

• #1 Pesticide found in most drinking waters

• Banned from being used in the EU since 2004