cive 230 leture 2 - intro to sustainability

Flashcards about sustainability, sustainable development, and related concepts from an engineering perspective.

Climate Change (examples of effects)

Storms, droughts, sea level rise, water unavailability

Species Extinction (examples of effects)

Loss of biodiversity, habitat, invasive species

Land Use Change (examples of effects)

Deforestation, urban sprawl

Air Pollution (examples of effects)

CO2 and GHGs accumulating in the atmosphere, Air pollution (ozone, particulate matter, smog = visible air pollution composed of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc.)

Social Instability (examples of effects)

Too much poverty in the face of excess

Sustainable Development

The process of using energy and resources at a rate that does not compromise the natural environment, or the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

IIED Definition of Sustainable Development

Involves trade-offs between biological, economic, and social systems and is found in the interactive zone between these systems.

United Nations Definition of Sustainable Development

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

Common themes among definitions of sustainability

• Sustainability is prosperity for all humanity of the present and for the future generation.

• Ethical dimensions of sustainability.

• True sustainable development should ensure equity, fairness, and justice, not only within your own community and own country but also should consider effects outside your country.

Indigenous concepts of Sustainability

• Mother Earth as a Life-Giving force

• Laws of nature

• Life-sustaining elements of the world

• Interrelationships and Interconnectedness

Mother Earth as a Life-Giving Force

In many Aboriginal languages, “Mother Earth” is depicted as a living person. If the inhabitants of this world continue to desecrate her, then she will no longer be a life-giving force

Laws of Nature

There was a time and season for all life-sustaining activities. Animals were not killed during their reproductive cycles.

Life-Sustaining Elements of the World

Air: the essential element of human and all life forms. It also is the means by which

one thinks and speaks.

Earth: provides food and many other life-sustaining materials and resources.

Fire: provides heat and light. The Sun is fire.

Water: cools and nurtures, makes life and growth possible.

Balance among the four basic elements, the innate capacities of humankind, and the life-sustaining elements of nature makes it possible to live well and comfortably

Interrelationships and Interconnectedness

Take no person, animal, or thing for granted. Everyone and everything has a role and a place.

Anthropocene

A time point when human activities started to have significant impacts on earth’s ecosystem.

Systems of systems thinking

• Ecological systems (cycles)

• Social systems (norms)

• Economic systems (utility theory).

Three dimensions of sustainability

Social, Environment, Economic

Triple Bottom Line

Planet - People - Profit

What is a trade-off?

A trade-off is a situation where gaining one benefit requires the sacrifice of another. In sustainability, it often refers to balancing social, environmental, and economic outcomes.

What are SDGs?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal call to action adopted by all United Nations member states to address global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and peace and justice, by 2030.

T-shaped engineer

A T-shaped engineer has both broad knowledge across situations and deep understating of functional/technical skills. They are able to demonstrate systems thinking, collaboration, and communication across disciplines.

which sustainable development summit introduced our commonly known definition for sustainability

Our Common Future (1987), in the Brundtland Commission Report

Millenium Development Goals

A set of eight international development goals established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, aimed at addressing global issues such as poverty and education by 2015.

Why were MDGs replaced?

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 to provide a more comprehensive framework that addresses a wider range of sustainable development issues and promotes global partnerships beyond 2015. MDGs were outdated by 2015.