environmental systems and societies

define ecocentric

nature comes first, humans live within natural limits, humans shouldnt get involved

define anthropocentric

humans should manage wildlife responisbly

define technocentric

trust technology to solve environmental problems, innovation,

define the key term “system”

a set of interacting or interdependent components, organised to create a functional whole

define the key term system approach

holistic way of visualizing a complex set of interactions- applied to ecological or societal situations

what is reductionism

you can figure snth out as a whole by knowing its smaller parts

what is a “model”

simplified representation of reality; it can be used to understand how a system works and to predict how it will respond to change.

what a re limitations of models

involves approximations so loss of accuracy, simpified so not fully realistic, outdated, based on assumptions

strenths of models

simple to understand, spot patterns, make predictions, communicate ideas

what do “systems” have

Connection to different parts, purpose, and exhibit emergent properties.

what are “emergent properties”

characteristics of a system that only appear when individual parts interact

what is the “Gaia hypothesis”

A theory that all living organisms, along with the Earth's physical components, form a complex system that maintains conditions suitable for life.

what is a system boundary

line that separetes system to external wold

define open system

exchanges both matter and energy with exteranl environment

define closed system

exchanges only energy with external environment

The Earth is a single integrated system encompassing the biosphere, the …

hydrosphere, the cryosphere,

the geosphere, the atmosphere and the anthroposphere.

how are the storages represented

as rectangular boxes

how are flows trepresented

as arrows, with the direction of each arrow indicating the direction of each flow.

what are flows

movement of matter, energy, or information into or out of a storage in a system, that may be either transfers or transformations. 

what are storages

accumulation of material, energy, or information

what is an inflow

storage increases

what is an outflow

storage decreases

how do we represent boundaries

a cloud outline to represent the unexplored area outside the boundary of our diagram.

sum of all inflows to a storage > than the sum of all outflows from a storage, then the level of the storage will

increase

sum of all outflows from a storage > sum of all inflows to a storage, then the level of the storage will

decrease

sum of all inflows to a storage = sum of all outflows from a storage, then the level of the storage

will not change

what are transfers

involve a change in location of energy or matter, without any change in its state or form.

what are transformations

also move energy and matter, but in the process there is a change in the chemical nature, a change in state, or a change in energy.

negative feedback loops

Negative feedback loops occur when the output of a process inhibits or reverses the operation of the same process in such a way as to reduce change. They are stabilizing as they counteract deviation

positive feedback loop

Positive feedback loops occur when a disturbance leads to an amplification of that disturbance, destabilizing the system and driving it away from its equilibrium. will tend to drive the system towards a tipping point. 

tipping points

exist within a system where a small alteration in one component can produce large overall changes, resulting in a shift in equilibrium.

steady state equilibrium

A situation where there are continuous inputs and outputs of energy or matter to the system that may result in short-term changes and imbalances.

stable equilibrium

The tendency in a system for it to return to a previous equilibrium condition following a disturbance.

What is a causal loop diagram?

type of system diagram that shows the complex relationships between different variables in a system

4 basic elements of a casual loop diagram

• the variables

• the causal connections between the variables (which variable influences the other)

• the type of influence, a 

  direct relationship

   (indicated by + symbol) or 

  inverse relationship

   (indicated by - symbol)

• the type of loop, indicating either negative (balancing) or positive (reinforcing) feedback loops, if such behaviour is present. Negative (balancing) feedback is indicated with a B, and positive (reinforcing feedback) is indicated with an R.

direct relationship

A relationship between variables where an increase in one quantity leads to a corresponding increase in the other, or a decrease in one quantity leads to a corresponding decrease in the other.

inverse relationship

A relationship between variables where an increase in one quantity leads to a corresponding decrease in the other, or a decrease in one quantity leads to a corresponding increase in the other.

Does complexity make an ecosystem MORE stable, or LESS stable? Why?

MORE STABLE - many storage, feedbacks, and flows; therefore, they can withstand stress better because if one pathway is blocked, another can take over.

 resilience of a system, ecological or social, refers to

tendency to avoid tipping points and maintain stability

Factors affecting resilience:

-  quantity

- size

- variety and  genetic diversity

- reproduction rate

- climate

- resource availability

- survival ability 

- living conditions

how can Humans reduce resilience

reducing storage and diversity

define Emergent properties

properties that appear when components of a system interact, that none of the individual components on their own

define sustainability

long-term viability od a specific system, resposnsible maintanace, no dimminishing of conditions for future generations

3 categories of sustainability

environment, economic, social

environmental sustainability

use and manage natural resources that allow replacement of the resources, and recovery and regeneration of resources. RESOURCE DEPLETION , PULLUTION, CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY

social sustainability

Focuses on creating the structures and systems that support human well/beng including health, education, equity, community, and other social factors. HEALTH, EDUCATION, EQUITY

economic sustainability

focuses on creating the economic structures and systems to support the production and consumption of goods and services that will support human needs into the future. PRODUCTION , CONSUMPTION, GOODS

ecological overshoot

A phenomenon that occurs when the demands made on a natural ecosystem exceed its regenerative capacity. Global ecological overshoot occurs when the demands made by humanity exceed

what is sustainable development

enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations.

the sustainable development goals 2030

set of objectives made by the united nations in 2015 to address the current and future challenges faced by humanity.

greenwashing

When a company makes itself appear more environmentally friendly than it actually is, often through misleading advertising or claims.

Greenwashing = misleading consumers into believing a business is more environmentally sustainable than it really is.

a model is …

A model is a simplified representation of reality; it can be used to understand how a system works and

to predict how it will respond to change. Simplification of a model involves approximation and, therefore, loss of accuracy.

what contributes to resilience

Diversity and the size of storages within systems can contribute to their resilience and affect their

speed of response to change (time lags).

Humans can affect the resilience of systems through reducing these storages and diversity

perspective

A perspective is how a particular situation is viewed and understood by an individual. It is based on a

mix of personal and collective assumptions, values and beliefs.

Perspectives are informed and justified by sociocultural norms, scientific understandings, laws, religion,

economic conditions, local and global events, and lived experience, among other factors

values

Values are qualities or principles that people feel have worth and importance in life.

The values that underpin our perspectives can be seen in our communication and actions with the

wider community. The values held by organizations can be seen through advertisements, media, policies and

actions.

Values surveys can be used to investigate the perspectives shown by a particular social group towards

environmental issues.

worldviews

Worldviews are the lenses shared by groups of people through which they perceive, make sense of and

act within their environment. They shape people's values and perspectives through culture, philosophy,

ideology, religion and politics.

what is an environmental value system

An environmental value system is a model that shows the inputs affecting our perspectives and the

outputs resulting from our perspectives.

environmental perspectives

Environmental perspectives (worldviews) can be classified into the broad categories of technocentric,

anthropocentric and ecocentric.

Perspectives and the beliefs that underpin them change over time in all societies. They can be

influenced by government or non-governmental organization (NGO) campaigns or through social and

demographic change.

The development of the environmental movement has been influenced by ….

individuals, literature, the

media, major environmental disasters, international agreements, new technologies and scientific discoveries.

What is sustainability and how can it be measured?

ability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs .Measuring sustainability requires tracking specific data across environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability using indicators, frameworks, and specialized tools.

Sustainability

is a measure of the extent to which practices allow for the long-term viability of a system. It is generally used to refer to the responsible maintenance of socio-ecological systems in such a way that there is no diminishment of conditions for future generations.

Environmental sustainability

is the use and management of natural resources that allows replacement of the resources, and recovery and regeneration of ecosystems.

Unsustainable use of natural resources can lead to

ecosystem collapse.

Social sustainability

focuses on creating the structures and systems that support human well-being, including health, education, equity, community, and other social factors.

Economic sustainability

focuses on creating the economic structures and systems to support production and consumption of goods and services that will support human needs into the future.

Weak sustainability models

Models that put the economy at the centre of our attention and treat both the natural environment and society as disconnected or weakly connected externalities to the economy.

 

strong sustainability models

Models that recognise that the economy is embedded in our social systems, not separate from them; both society and the economy are embedded within the natural environment.

ecosystem

A community of interdependent organisms and the physical environment they interact with.

Inequalities in income, race, gender, and cultural identity within and between different societies lead to disparities in access to water, food, and energy

disparities in access to water, food, and energy

Environmental justice refers to

the right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment, and to have equitable access to natural resources, regardless of issues such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and nationality

economic inequality

The unequal distribution of income, wealth, consumption, and opportunity in a society.

Sustainability indicators

quantitative measures of biodiversity, pollution, human population, climate change, material and carbon footprints, and others. These indicators can be applied on a range of scales, from local to global.

Biocapacity is

the capacity of a given biologically productive area to generate an ongoing supply of renewable resources and to absorb its resulting wastes.

The carbon footprint measures

the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (in tonnes). The water footprint measures water use (in cubic metres per year)

intergenerational equity

Fairness or justice between generations of human beings, young and old, particularly with regard to resource use.

composite indicators

A measure of multiple characteristics of a people or ecosystem; often, though not always, presented as an index number.

The 

Human Development Index (HDI)

reflects human development across three areas:

• health (life expectancy)

• education (mean years of schooling and expected years for students at school-entering age)

• standard of living (gross national income per capita).

PM2.5 measures

particulate matter of size 2.5 micrograms or less per m³ of air and is an indicator of pollution levels.

The Gini index

is a measure of income inequality in a country.

Natural increase rate

refers to population growth, such as human populations in countries.

GDP

GDP measures the total value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders in a time period. When these goods and services are sold, people earn income. With those incomes, they can buy the things they need to survive and thrive. So there is some relationship between incomes and GDP per capita.
However, GDP growth is not an appropriate measure of development because:

• much of the new income and wealth generated by economies goes to the top income groups who already have high levels of development.

• beyond a certain level of income, more income does not lead to improved well-being.

• the pursuit of GDP growth has led to unsustainable use of resources that threaten ecological collapse.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

are a set of social and environmental goals and targets to guide action on sustainability and environmental justice.

Uses of the SDGs

Common ground: the common set of goals, targets and indicators makes it easier for governments, businesses and other organisations to use the same language for policies, Universal: the goals, targets, and indicators apply to all countries, Ambition: the SDGs are the first time that countries have outlined socio-ecological goals for the planet; the fact that they are hard to achieve shows ambition, Data: the SDGs use quantitative data to mark progress and report on it regularl

LIMITATIONS OF THE SDGs

Silos: the SDGs are not connected well to one another and do not necessarily support a systems approach that recognises how the environment, society and the economy are connected, Lack of context: because the same set of goals, targets, and indicators are used for all countries, there may not be enough attention to contextual challenges faced by some countries, Ambition: some criticise the SDGs for not being ambitious enough, and also for supporting current economic systems that are harming environmental and social goals, Data: Some targets do not have adequate indicators so there are SDGs that are not measured adequately