Sustainability cheramie exam 1

Sustainability

The act of mindfully creating in order to prevent waste by being proactive; meeting needs of the present without compromising future generations.

Sustainable Development

Development that balances environmental, economic, social, and cultural needs for both present and future.

Four Pillars of Sustainability

Environmental, Economic, Social, Cultural.

Triple Bottom Line

People, Planet, Profit (Three P's).

Nonrenewable Resource

Natural resource (coal, oil, natural gas) that cannot replenish quickly and is finite.

Social Sustainability

Ensuring fairness, equity, and well-being for all people, including labor rights and gender equality.

E Corporation

A business that prioritizes sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility (e.g., B-Corp).

James Watt

Improved the steam engine in 1763; reliable power source that fueled factories, trains, ships, and urbanization.

Spinning Jenny

Invented by James Hargreaves in 1764; allowed one worker to spin 8+ threads at once → mass textile production.

Cotton Gin

Invented by Eli Whitney in 1796; separated cotton fibers from seeds, boosting U.S. cotton production and slavery expansion.

Trade Union

Group of workers organizing for better pay and conditions; used strikes as pressure tactics.

Rachel Carson

American marine biologist and author of Silent Spring; raised awareness of pollution and population decline.

Rio Summit (Earth Summit 1992)

172 countries met; created Agenda 21, first global action plan for environment and development.

Millennium Development Goals

UN goals (2000) to reduce poverty, hunger, improve education, health, and gender equality.

Sustainable Development Goals

UN goals (2015); 17 goals to be reached by 2030 (poverty reduction, climate action, equality).

Paris Agreement (2015)

Nearly all countries signed to combat climate change; requires updated climate action plans every 5 years.

Design Thinking

Problem-solving method that focuses on human needs and inclusive solutions.

Design Equity

Principle that everyone should benefit equally from well-designed products/services, regardless of background or ability.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere: CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, fluorinated gases.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

Produced by burning fossil fuels; 80% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions (2022).

Methane (CH₄)

Emitted from livestock, landfills, oil and gas; 28x stronger than CO₂ over 100 years.

Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

Emitted by agriculture, fossil fuel burning, wastewater; 1 lb = ~300 lbs CO₂ warming effect.

Fluorinated Gases

Industrial chemicals with very high global warming potential; can last thousands of years.

Greenhouse Gas Lifespan

Fluorinated gases last the longest in the atmosphere.

Scope 1 Emissions

Direct emissions from owned sources (factories, vehicles).

Scope 2 Emissions

Indirect emissions from purchased energy (electricity, heating, cooling).

Scope 3 Emissions

All other indirect emissions (supply chains, shipping, employee travel).

Tier 1 Suppliers

Direct suppliers that manufacture final products.

Tier 2 Suppliers

Provide processed materials or components.

Tier 3 Suppliers

Provide raw materials.

Tier 4 Suppliers

Indirect suppliers like machinery, chemical, and logistics providers.

Walmart and CO₂

Works with suppliers across tiers to reduce carbon emissions in supply chains.