Lecture 2 – Energy, Climate, & Place

Four Dimensions of Sustainability

A model that states there are four dimensions which all work together and contribute to being ‘sustainable’

• Environmental

• Societal

• Cultural

• Economical

FDS: Environmental

The ecological balance and state of ecosystems, recognising that every and all living beings are connected in some way and placing humans within these ecosystems. Argued to be the most important dimension as it supports and encompasses everything else.

FDS: Societal

Centres people and communities, recognise how communities and individuals have needs, values, and shared experiences that need to be addressed and acknowledge to continue sustainably. Ensures that societies are flourished so that culture and economies can prosper.

FDS: Cultural

Connected to the societal dimension, but emphases cultural hertiages and roots by recognising the plurality of the world and knowledge systems and how we should honour and treasure each culture

FDS: Economical

Focusing on the practises and means that people use to meet their needs without exceeding the carrying capacities of environments.

Flow of Energy Through Systems

Different forms of energy are always in a state of ebb and flow within environmental systems. There are many forms of energy such as physical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and so much more.

The energy that we harness and use to power and run our lives all come from the environment. The land available to support the harvesting, capturing, and generating of this energy underpins all forms of energy.

Anthropological Energy Sources

There are many sources of energy including fossil fuels (coal, oil, etc), renewables (geothermal, solar, wind, hydrology), natural (gas, etc) that we are able to capture into usable energy. However, every form of energy produce CO2 in some way or form. Fossil fuels are the most responsible for the emission of CO2 through its production and use

Paris Agreement

Made in COP 21, an international treaty to have net zero CO2 emissions by 2050 in order to keep temperatures from reaching 1.5º C compared to pre-industrial levels.

Globally, most of our energy sources were from oil, natural gas, and coal (~80%), which is the biggest cause of anthropological CO2 emissions.

• Remember that both the production and use of fossil fuels emits CO2

Only a small portion of it comes from clean or renewable sources.

Most governments are putting into motion policies, acts, laws, and schemes in order to reduce CO2 emissions.

• While although it is projected that this will reduce CO2 emissions, it is important to note that most countries are still in their planning phase (which could continue to reduce emissions more)

• However, there are also many recommendations from climate experts, boards, and so on that could, if followed, theoritical get net emissions to zero

In order to reach true net zero emissions, a transdisciplinary approach is needed to engage all four dimensions of sustainability and a dialogic approach with the various actors in each dimension

Aotearoa’s Energy Source & Use

The majority (65%) of energy comes from imported oils and natural gas, with oil being the majority. While the rest (35%) comes from renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro.

However, lately, our gas reserves are being depleted quickly, meaning that we may face issues with energy availability. This is especially true because we haven’t put more investments or compensated it by tapping more into other forms of energy.

But, out electricity does mostly come from renewable resources (87%). The ones mentioned above include other forms of energy and fuels such as the ones used in transport, for machines, and so on.