Studied by 13 people
topics 1.1 -1.3
human nature dualism
this worldview sees human beings as separate from nature. Nature is a resource for exploitation by humans. (This worldview is the root of the environmental problems we now face.)
what is the gia hypothesis
-The idea that the world is more like a living being than an inanimate object.
-The earth can regulate itself to maintain some sort of status quo so life can thrive on Earth.
-all ecosystems on earth are connected to each other
Sociocultural norms -
community rules determining appropriate behavior and values.
Scientific understandings -
knowledge of the world and scientific principles
environmental value system
An environmental value system is a model that shows the inputs affecting our perspectives and the outputs resulting from our perspectives. '
-influenced by education, culture, media and experiences
Ecocentric (EVS)
Ecology and nature are central to humanity
Less materialistic
Greater self-sufficiency of societies
Education is important
Encourages self-restraint of human behavior
Anthropocentric (EVS)
Humans manage global sustainability
Might be through use of taxes, environmental regulation/legislation
Encourages debate to reach a consensual/pragmatic approach to solving environmental problems
technocentric (EVS)
Technology can solve environmental problems
Optimistic view of the role of humans in improving humanity
Encourages scientific research
Technology used to manipulate, change, or control env. Systems.
Pro growth needed for society’s improvement
The Modern Environmental Movement
a social movement to protect nature from harmful human activities.
Factors that developed the modern environmental movement
Literature - Rachel Carson - Silent Spring (1962) as the start of the modern env movement. discussed pesticides in the food chain. Led to the ban of DDT.
Scientific Discoveries - scientific studies on climate and relationship between GHGs and warming
Individuals - Greta Thunberg, Wangari Maathai
Environmental disasters - Bhopal, India (1984) - leak of toxic methyl isocyanate gas
Technological Developments - renewable energy
International agreements - Rio Earth Summit, Paris Climate Accord, UNFCCC, CBD
Media - Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth
Open system:
exchanges matter and energy with its surroundings
Closed system
exchanges energy, but not matter with its surroundings
Isolated system:
does not exchange matter or energy with its environment. DO NOT EXIST NATURALLY!
Transfers:
change location
Transformations:
a change in a chemical nature, a state or change in energy.
Static equilibrium
-no net change over time
-no outputs on inputs in system
-non-living systems
steady-state equilibrium
Open systems tend to exist in steady-state equilibrium
DOES NOT mean the systems are not changing
inputs/outputs of energy and matter that overall remain almost constant
Stable Equilibrium
System returns to original state after disturbance
Unstable Equilibrium:
System returns to new equilibrium after disturbance.
negative feedback loops
-the end is better than the beginning, steady state equilibrium
-(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
-the ending is worse than the beginning
-normally result in some sort of tipping point
-( Positive feedback loops occur when a disturbance leads to an amplification of that disturbance, destabilizing the system and driving it away from its equilibrium.)
tipping point
Tipping points can exist within a system where a small alteration in one component can produce large overall changes, resulting in a shift in equilibrium.
ressilliance (of a system)
the ability of the ecosystem to recover after a disturbance.
factors taht effect a systems resilience :
genetic/habitat/species/ -diversity
ecosystem size (larger = more resilient)
climate
speed of reproduction
Resistance
when an ecosystem continues to function during a disturbance.
Stability
the ability of an ecosystem to remain in balance after a disturbance.
model
A simplified version of reality used to understand how a system works, and predict how it will change.
Pros (+) and cons (-) of models
+easy to work with
+predicts the effect of a change in input
+shows patterns
+helps visualize very small / big ecosystems / things
-accuracy is lost in simplification
-assumptions may be wrong
-predictions may be inaccurate
sustanibility
a measure of the extent to which human activities allow for the long-term viability of a system.
-normally entails some sort of regeneration of resources
natural income
yield or harvest from natural resources ( ex. wooden planks)
natual capita
the stock of natural resources. (Ex: trees)
Renewable : can be generated or replaced as quickly as it is being used
Non Renewable:either irreplaceable or only replaced over geological timescales
what are the pillars of sustainability
Environmental (creating use and management of natural resources that allows the replacement of the resources, recovery, and regeneration of ecosystems)
Social (creating the structures and systems that support human well-being)
Economic (creating the economic structures and systems to support production and consumption of goods/services to support human needs)
unsustanible society
any society that supports itself by depleting nautral capita at an unreplenishable rate
sustainable development
'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'
Examples of sustainability indicators
GDP
Life expectancy
Biodiversity
Biocapacity
Ecological footprint
Ecological footprint
estimate the demands of humans on the environment.
Earth Overshoot
humanity’s annual demand on the natural world has exceeded what the Earth can renew in a year since the 1970’s.
Carrying capacity
maximum number of individuals in a population that the env can sustainably support. Carrying capacity is the inverse of EF
Biocapacity
the capacity of a biologically productive area to generate a supply of renewable resources and absorb wastes
UN sustainable development goals (with uses & limitations )
-17 goals formulated by the UN to be reached by 2030
-asses the consequences of ecosystem change for humans and the basis of scientific research to refine sustainability methods
+is a collective agrenda
+is universal for all countries
+tangible goals
-goals do not go far enough fast enough
-too bureaucratic
-goals are non-binding
Planetary bounds model (uses & limitations)
-The planetary boundaries model scales the progress humanity has made towards approaching or regressing major tipping points on Earth.
-It has a circle divided up into 9 sections, if the section is shaded past the outline of the circle then humanity has already passed the point of sustainability and the environment is spiraling to a tipping point.
-These boundaries are intertwined with one another, when one transcends sustainability others are more likely to do so.
+Identifies science-based limits to human disturbance of Earth systems.
+Focuses on more than just climate change.
+Alerts the public and policymakers to the urgent need for action.
-Focuses only on ecological systems and does not consider the human dimensions necessary to take action for env. justice
-Is a work in progress - assessments of boundaries are changing as new data is available
-The focus on global boundaries may not be a useful guide for local and country-level action.
Doughnut economics model (uses & limitations)
-Inner ring: the social foundation ensures that those in lower income brackets have access to eco friendly and sustainable products. As well as ensures that all have the ability to enjoy the positive benefits of sustainability.
-Outer ring: the economic ceiling ensures that humanity, in the process of achieving the outlined humanitarian goals, does not surpass the planetary boundaries in the previous model.
-Combines economy and welfare in a conjoined effort to promote sustainability.
+Supports the concept of environmental justice
+has reached popular awareness
+used at different scales
+supports action on sustainability
-is a work in progress
-will not work as long as individuals are focused on their comparative wealth and income
-broad principles of regenerative and distributive practices
-does not propose specific policies
Circular economy model (uses & limitations)
-products are not wasted, every component of a product is reused until it can no longer be.
-aims to … eliminate waste and pollution , circulate products and materials evermore, and regenerate nature.
+Regeneration of natural systems
+Reduction of GHG emissions
+Improvement of local food networks and supporting local communities
+Reduction of waste by extending product life cycles
+Changes consumer habits
-Lack of environmental awareness by consumers and companies
-Lack of regulation enforcing recycling of products
-Some waste not recyclable and technical limitations
-Lack of finance
