Key Topics Covered Lecture 1

What is Sustainable Development according to the Brundtland Commission (1987)?

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

What are the three dimensions of Sustainability?

Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability.

What is Environmental Sustainability?

Humanity's consumption should not exceed nature's ability to replenish resources.

What does Social Sustainability ensure?

Universal human rights and access to basic needs like healthcare, education, and transportation.

What is Economic Sustainability?

Communities should have secure sources of livelihood and access to necessary resources.

What event in 1945 led to the formation of the United Nations?

The end of World War II.

What was the significance of the 1972 Stockholm Declaration?

Led to the formation of the UN Environment Programme.

What key term was introduced in the 1987 Brundtland Report?

Sustainability.

What was the 1992 Rio Earth Summit's outcome?

It led to the formation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

What was the goal of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

To reduce poverty by 2015.

What does the Paris Agreement aim to do?

Limit global warming to below 2°C, with efforts to stay under 1.5°C.

What is the aim of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

To achieve 17 goals with a target by 2030.

What does Ecological Footprint measure?

How much land is required to sustain an individual's lifestyle.

What is Biocapacity?

The Earth's ability to regenerate resources and absorb waste.

What is the average carbon footprint per person in the U.S.?

16 tons per person per year.

What is Overshoot Day?

The date when humanity's resource consumption exceeds Earth's ability to regenerate those resources.

What are Provisioning Services in ecosystem services?

Tangible resources like water, food, wood, and raw materials.

What are Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)?

Actions that protect, manage, or restore natural ecosystems while addressing societal challenges.

What is Ecological Engineering?

Designing ecosystems to self-sustain.

What does Biomimicry involve?

Designing human-made solutions based on nature.

What is Natural Capital?

The Earth's natural resources and ecosystem services that provide economic and societal benefits.