sustainable production

what are social-ecological systems

cohesive system comprising ecosystems and human societies that interact with each other→interdependent so if one changes then the other inevitably changes

what is the social versus the ecological aspects to socio-ecological systems

social=politics, ethics, cultures, justice, history

ecological=ecosystem health and changes in the environment

human elements versus nonhuman elements in SES

human elements are the communities, economies, and policies while the non-human are animals, plants, and the environment

what type of system is SES

a coupled system since feedback loops drive change

provide an example of a socioecological system

coastal communities depends on fish stocks for food and income so through the communities actions of fishing and implementing marine protected areas they impact fish populations so these impact the communities economy and practices

what are the five pillars of SES systems

1. interconnectedness=flow of energy, materials, and information; river produces water for drinking and agriculture but it also shapes social practices and economy

2. feedback loops can be positive or negative; overfishing exacerbates decreasing fish populations=positive and negative would be sustainable fishing practices allow stabilizing fish populations provide consistent resource

3. resilience=ability of SES to adapt and absorb disturbances such as natural disaster

4. adaptive capacity=adjusting to change or managing unpredictably; farming community had to change crops due to climate change

5. thresholds and regime shifts= every SES has thresholds that when crossed alter the system; regime shift where a forest ecosystem loses keystone species causing loss in biodiversity

what are the two frameworks for understanding ecological systems

DPSIR→

drivers= broad factors creating pressures such as economic and population growth

pressures=direct actions impacting the environment such as pollution or deforestation

STATE =current conditions of environment and social systems

Impact=effects on the ecosystem and human well-being

Response=policies taken by the society to address the issues

EXAMPLE: Forest ecosystem population(driver), leads to deforestation(pressure) altering systems biodiversity(state), and affecting ecosystem services(impact). the government reforests(response)

Ostroms ES framework→

resource sustem= ecosystem being studied(LAKE)

resource units=element extracted from system(FISH)

governance system=rules and regulations

actors=people and groups who use or manage resources(FISHERS AND POLICY MAKERS)

DSPIR

drivers= broad factors creating pressures such as economic and population growth

pressures=direct actions impacting the environment such as pollution or deforestation

STATE =current conditions of environment and social systems

Impact=effects on the ecosystem and human well-being

Response=policies taken by the society to address the issues

EXAMPLE: Forest ecosystem population(driver), leads to deforestation(pressure) altering systems biodiversity(state), and affecting ecosystem services(impact). the government reforests(response)

Ostroms ES framework

resource sustem= ecosystem being studied(LAKE)

resource units=element extracted from system(FISH)

governance system=rules and regulations

actors=people and groups who use or manage resources(FISHERS AND POLICY MAKERS)

what are the challenges in managing SES

complex

diverse stakeholders with conflicting interests

lack of data monitoring due to expensive and time-consuming

local to global interactions hard to track

what is environmental policy

commitments, regulations, and laws that governments and organizations implement to address environmental issues

what does environmental policy aim to do

aims to protect natural resources, and biodiversity, ensure sustainable use of ecosystems for the future generations

what shapes environmental policies and what are some examples

shaped by scientific evidence, economic considerations, ethical values, and social priorities

montreal protocol→air and water quality standard

Wilflife Act→protecting endangered species

Irish plastic bag tax→waste management

what are the five key principles in environmental policy

1. the precautionary principle=if an action has the risk of causing harm it is up to the proposer to show it is safe

2. polluter pays=managing environmental damage is up to those who cause it

3. sustainable development=meeting present needs without compromising the needs of future generations

4. intergenerational equity=fairness across generations

5. environmental justice=everyone has access to a clean and safe environment

five tools and approaches in environmental policy

1. regulatory=government setting limits

2. market bases=taxes and fees

3. voluntary information=eco labels and sustainability certs

4. community-based approaches=community managed forests

5. technology policies=funding for renewable energy research

challenges with environmental policies

scientific and environmental uncertainties, political constraints, conflicting interests, national borders

examples of environmental policies

Kyoto Protocol and paris agreements, EUs emissions trading system(ETS)=limiting emissions from large industries in buying and selling emissions allowances, Ireland Plastic bad tax

what are examples of non food crops

grown for nonfood and nonenergy purposes such as paper, board, and chemicals

cotton is a fiber crop and it is most commonly used in fashion it uses a lot of water a disproportionate amount of pesticides→3% agricultural land with 20% of the pesticide use

bamboo=alternative to cotton and is fast growing and sustainable however requires extensive chemical treatment in processing

Nettle as a fibre crop?

In world war I Britain controlled most of the world’s cotton trade so the germans made the soldier’s uniforms out of nettle after the war synthetic fibers became popular and sustainable nettle was forgotten

benefits of bioplastics and list some examples

carbon is dervied from photosynthesis so no net increase in GHGs therefore carbon neutral

PLA→biodegradable thermoplastic, bio-based PET, PE, and PP

solid versus liquid fuels

solid is used for electricity with heat and power whereas liquid is used for transport with bioethanol and biodisel

first generations, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation biofuels

first=sorghum; derived from edible feedstock

second=dedicated energy crops such as miscanthus→avoids food versus fuel problem

third=from algea→green crude production which is good because it doesnt use agriultural land however it requires a lot of energy and fertlizer with complicated harvesting

fourth=GMO plants and algea for desired traits to produce inreases yields and efficiency

whats the ideal biomass crop

high outputs, long growing season, high photosynthesis raters(C4), high harvest index

low outputs; fertilizer use, water efficiency, pest management

perennial grasses

what are three major GHGs

CO2

• deforestation: Clearing land for agriculture releases carbon stored in trees and soil.

• Fossil Fuel Use: Emissions from farm machinery, irrigation pumps, and the production of synthetic fertilizers.

• Soil Disturbance: Tillage practices can release CO₂ from soil organic matter

  METHANE CH4

• Enteric Fermentation: Digestive processes in ruminants (e.g., cattle, sheep) produce methane.

• Rice Paddies: Methane is emitted during anaerobic decomposition in waterlogged rice fields.

• Manure Management: Decomposition of animal waste under anaerobic conditions (e.g., in lagoons) produces methane.

  Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

  Fertilizer Application: Synthetic and organic fertilizers release N₂O through nitrification and denitrification processes in soils.

• Manure Management: Emissions arise during storage and handling of animal waste.

• Crop Residues: Decomposition of crop residues left in fields can release N₂O.

UN sustainable development goals

no poverty, no hunger, good health, gender equality, quality education, renewable energy, climate action, life below water

planetary boundary framework that have been exceeded

climate change, biosphere protection, biogeochemical flows with nitrogen and phosphorous cycle, land system change, freshwater use

ozone depletion and ocean acidification have not been exceeded