STS Midterm Reviewer

Tragedy of the Commons

Resources owned in common tend to be overused.

Natural Resources

Materials and energy provided by nature.

Inexhaustible resources

Resources that can last forever in human time scale.

Renewable resources

Resources that can be used repeatedly as long as they are not used up faster than nature can renew them.

Exhaustible (Nonrenewable) resources

Resources that exist in a fixed amount or stock in the earth's crust.

Property rights

Clearly defined, enforceable, and transferable ownership of a resource.

Government ownership

When a government assumes ownership and restricts use, as in admission to national parks.

Monitoring role

When the government assumes a monitoring role, such as in air and water pollution or fishing.

Private ownership

When private ownership is assigned, and the owner has an incentive to protect the resource.

Tragedy of the Commons

Resources owned in common tend to be overused.

Mitigation

To prevent the worsening of destruction, decrease force or intensity, and lower risk.

Adaptation

Reacting or changing to fit new circumstances and coping with impacts that cannot be avoided.

Agricultural sector

Measures to adapt to climate change in the agricultural sector, such as diversification and improved water management.

Coastal zones

Measures to adapt to climate change in coastal zones, such as seawalls and coral reef protection.

Water resources

Measures to adapt to climate change in water resources, such as flood control and conservation.

Human health

Measures to adapt to climate change in human health, such as awareness programs and improved emergency response systems.

Terrestrial ecosystems and forests

Measures to adapt to climate change in terrestrial ecosystems and forests, such as conservation of biodiversity and prevention of forest fires.

Fisheries

Measures to adapt to climate change in fisheries, such as data collection and sustainable management of marine resources.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

An international treaty with the main objective of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and enabling sustainable economic development.

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement that sets mitigation targets for developed countries and encourages sustainable development in developing countries.

Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000

A law in the Philippines that provides the necessary policy framework and mechanisms for local government units to achieve waste reduction through integrated solid waste management plans based on the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle).

Republic Act No

A law in the Philippines that focuses on pollution prevention and creates a national program for air pollution management.

Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004

A law in the Philippines that provides comprehensive water quality management and regulations for pollution control from land-based sources.

Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 - Also known as Republic Act No

9003

Clean Air Act of 1999 - Also known as Republic Act No

(RA 8749)

RA 9275

Clean Water Act of 2004 - Also known as Republic Act

Paris Agreement

An international agreement in which the Philippines has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% from its 2015 levels by the year 2030.

GHG Emissions

Greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce or prevent the impacts of climate change.

Adaptation

Actions taken to manage and cope with the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

Coal

The note mentions China's burning of coal and its contribution to air pollution and climate change

Melting of ice in Greenland

The note mentions an activity related to reading articles about the melting of ice in Greenland and the potential impacts on climate change

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

A nonbinding declaration adopted by the United Nations that sets out the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples and emphasizes their right to maintain their cultural identities and pursue development in line with their own needs and aspirations.

TEK

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, referring to the knowledge and practices developed by indigenous peoples over generations to sustainably manage their environments.

SEK

Scientific Ecological Knowledge, referring to the knowledge and practices developed through scientific research and study of ecological systems.

Indigenous groups

Native peoples who have distinct cultural identities and often have a historical connection to a specific territory or region.

Industrialized modern societies

Societies that have undergone significant industrialization and urbanization, often characterized by high levels of technological development and consumption.

Environmental resources

Natural resources, such as land, water, and biodiversity, that are essential for the functioning of ecosystems and the well-being of human societies.

Yield stability

The ability of a crop or agricultural system to consistently produce a certain level of yield over time, despite variations in environmental conditions.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

An international treaty that aims to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

Subsistence

The practice of obtaining food, shelter, and other basic necessities directly from the natural environment, often through hunting, gathering, or small-scale agriculture.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals or species that a particular environment can support without causing significant degradation or depletion of resources.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of organisms that an ecosystem can support without causing significant harm to the environment.

Kruger National Park

A national park located in South Africa known for its diverse wildlife and conservation efforts.

Ecological issue

A problem or concern related to the environment and the interactions between organisms and their surroundings.

Private property

Ownership of land or resources by an individual or group, allowing them to control and manage it according to their own interests.

Tragedy of the commons

A concept that describes the depletion or degradation of a shared resource due to individuals acting in their own self-interest rather than considering the long-term well-being of the group.

Externalities

Costs or benefits that result from an economic activity but are not directly accounted for by the decision-maker, often affecting other individuals or the environment.

Internalize

To change the arrangement or system so that decision-makers bear the full cost of their decisions, preventing them from shifting the burden onto others.

Property institutions

Systems or rules that govern the ownership, use, and management of property, aiming to internalize externalities and promote sustainable practices.

Commons problems

Issues that arise when a resource is collectively owned or managed, leading to conflicts and overuse.

Communal management

A system where a resource is collectively owned and managed by a group, with decisions made collectively and costs and benefits shared among the members.

Communal arrangement

A system where individuals pool their resources or assets together for collective ownership or use.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals or resources that an area or ecosystem can sustainably support.

Open access commons

A situation where there are no restrictions on the entry or use of a shared resource, leading to the potential for overuse or depletion.

Negative externalities

Costs or impacts that are imposed on others or the environment as a result of an individual's actions or decisions.

Restricted-access commons

A shared resource where access is limited to a specific group or community, often regulated by rules and restrictions.

Tragedy of the commons

The concept that when a shared resource is open-access and unregulated, individuals acting in their self-interest may deplete or degrade the resource, leading to its eventual collapse.

Mutual coercion, mutually agreed upon

The idea that in order to avoid the tragedy of the commons, individuals must collectively agree to enforce rules and regulations to manage and protect the shared resource.

Overgrazing

The act of allowing livestock to graze on a pasture or land beyond its carrying capacity, leading to the degradation of the land and depletion of vegetation.

Population growth rates

The rate at which a population increases over time, often measured as the percentage change in population size.

Global human overpopulation

The condition where the global human population exceeds the carrying capacity of the Earth, leading to various environmental, social, and economic challenges.

Transgenic animals

Animals whose genome has been changed through advanced biotechnology.

Technology

The application of scientific knowledge and tools to solve problems and improve human life.

Toffler's Waves of Technology

A theory by Alvin Toffler that categorizes technological advancements into three waves - agricultural technology, industrial technology, and the information/digital age.

1st Industrial Revolution

A period marked by the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies, with the use of tools such as the inclined plane, lever, and wheel & axle.

2nd Industrial Revolution

A period characterized by the emergence of steam engines, the investment of capital in expensive equipment, and the establishment of factories.

Digital information and processes

The use of digital technology to organize and customize mass production.

Technologically advanced countries

Countries such as the US, EU, and Japan that have made significant advancements in technology.

Local Industrial Technology

Examples include the Jeepney and Tricycle, which are modes of transportation in certain regions.

Case Study 1

The Jeepney:A highly polluting and unsafe mode of transportation due to poor engine maintenance and lack of stability or impact resistance tests.

Case Study 2

Tricycle:A highly polluting and unsafe mode of transportation due to exhaust gases, noise, and lack of stability tests.

Technological dead-end

Refers to technologies that have not seen significant advancements or breakthroughs over time.

LDC (Less Developed Country)

Refers to countries like the Philippines that are striving to overcome backwardness and achieve technological progress and material affluency.

4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution)

The fusion of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, the internet of things, genetic engineering, and quantum computing.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ability of a computer or robot to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence and discernment.

Robotics

The field that combines science, engineering, and technology to create machines (robots) that can replicate or substitute for human actions.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The network of physical objects embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies that can connect and exchange data with other devices and systems over the internet.

Genetic Engineering

The process of altering the genetic makeup of an organism using recombinant DNA technology.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering.

Quantum Computing

A field of computing that utilizes the principles of quantum theory to develop computer technology.

Cybersecurity

The practice of protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital attacks.

Driverless cars

Cars that can operate without a human driver.

Smart grid

A modernized electrical grid that uses sensors and advanced technology to efficiently manage and distribute electricity.

Factories 4.0

Factories that are integrated with smart technology and powered by renewable energy sources.

Drones

Unmanned aerial vehicles that can be used for various purposes, such as checking infrastructure and delivering supplies.

Telemedicine

The use of communication technology to connect doctors and patients at a distance.

Artificial intelligence

The use of computer systems to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence.

Rehab robots

Robots that assist patients in physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.

Robot surgery

Surgical procedures performed by robots under the guidance of surgeons.

Prosthetics

Artificial body parts used to replace a body part lost due to injury, disease, or defect.

Artificial organs

Organs that are artificially created and implanted in the human body.

DxTER

Diagnostic technology that uses an iPad to guide patients through tests for diagnosing medical conditions.

Cellular agriculture

The use of cells to grow farm product substitutes.

Cyber-physical systems

Systems that combine physical components with digital technology to enable advanced capabilities.

Fourth Industrial Revolution

The current era of technological advancements that are reshaping various aspects of society.

Inequality

The unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among different groups of people.

Displacement of workers

The replacement of human workers with automation and technology.

Privacy

The protection of personal information and the right to control its use.

Global income levels

The overall levels of income across the world.