Intro to sustainability---FiNaL eXaM

most populous countries

1. China 2. India 3. US nigeria will pass us soon

cost benefit analysis stages

1. Define the project. 2. Identify all relevant costs and benefits. 3. Assign a value to all included costs and benefits.( for nature this might not be a specific price) 4. Select and apply a discount rate for changes in value over the life of the project. 5. Assess the economic viability of the project. Is cost minus benefit a positive number? 6. Make a recommendation.

implications of new IPAT

1. Developed nations i.e. U.S. cant blame developing countries with large and rapidly growing populations i.e. India for global environmental issues 2. small countries can still have a big impact if its consumption rate is high and/or its technology is polluting 3. A large-population country like China that is rapidly increasing consumption rates can have a huge impact

4 laws of ecology

1. everything is connected to everything else 2. everything must go somewhere (1st law, E isn't lost) 3. nature knows bets 4.. there is no such things as a free lunch (2nd law after E is used, it is in another form that you cant use)

reasoning behind demographic transition

1. pre-industrial stage - Birth and death rates high = low population growth rate 2. industrializing/ urbanizing stage - Birth rates high, death rates drop due to improved healthcare and sanitation = high growth rate 3. mature industrial - Birth rates drop and death rates are low = slowing growth rate 4. post-industrial - Birth and death rates are low = slow or zero growth rate

brundtland commission report

1987. defined term 'sustainable development' and the need to focus on the 3 pillars to better the world/humanity

UN Millennium Declaration development goals

2000 UN adopted this which set 8 developmental goals to achieve by 2015. each has specific ways to measure the progress 1. eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. universal primary education 3. promote gender equality & empower women 4. reduce child mortality 5. improve maternal health 6. HIV/AIDs, malaria, etc 7. environmental sustainability 8. global partnership for development significant progress made but very uneven across countries, lots of people left out

Tripple bottom line

3 P's (3 pilars) Planet (environmental issues) prosperity (economic) people (social) the intersection is sustainability

current US pop

324 million

current world pop

7.3 billion

population growth rate formula

= = birth rate - death rate + immigration rate - emigration rate

personal application of 4 laws of ecology

Any action that generates the least amount of energy transformations is usually the best choice.

MDE

Maryland Department of the Environment ----enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, long-term planning and research

exponential fucntion

N = N0 ^(ert)

EPA formation

Nixon after earth day demonstrations

policy making

Organized decision-making are written and implemented as regulations, laws, formal recommendations, or agreements

doubling time

The time it takes for the total population to double at a particular growth rate.

types of fertility rates, compare/ contrast

total fertility rate- average number of children each woman gives birth to in her lifetime (# of kids/ # of women) replacement fertility rate- the fertility rate at which each women has just enough kids to keep the population stable

pop pyramids shapes and meanings

triangle= rapid growth rectangle= slow or zero narrow at the bottom=decline

mechanical philosophy

universe is like a huge machine or clock in which all natural phenomena could eventually be explained in terms of "mechanical laws," natural laws governing the motion and collision of matter

neoclassical econ

using supply and demand and an individual's rationality to maximize utility or profit. Adam smith, wealth of nations, invisible hand economic growth is needed and wanted, doesn't include social or environmental concerns

factors that complicate policy

values science economics

systems thinking

whole is greater than the sum of its parts, look at big pic to solve problems Systems all have inputs and outputs and are self-regulating through various feedback mechanisms. These must be understood in order to come up with viable solutions. Where human values and decision-making are involved, systems are even more complex because there are so many variables.

birth rate

annual # of births per 1000 people

death rate

annual # of deaths per 1000 people

bioregionalism

committed to the ecology, economy, and culture of a specific place, making choices that enhance the specific place.

1st law of thermodynamics

conservation of energy E can't be created or destroyed, just changes forms or is transferred QUANTITY

ecological footprint

contribution to the human environmental impact, use calculators

population issues in africa

culture values big families men make population decisions

The Wilderness Act

defined wilderness protected 9.1 million acres of fed land

allocating resources

description and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

sustainable development def

improving the quality of life within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems imporve human life while maintaining balance with earth

population trends

increasing at increasing rate, since the modern era

types of costs

internal- costs individuals using the resource pay external- costs that people not using the resource pay (i.e. health affects from the incinerator)

costs and ecological econ

internalize all costs , people would be more conscious if they had to bear the burden methods- pollution charges tradable pollution permits (limit amount of pollution, can trade others for more)

earth charter

international declaration of fundamental values and principles to build a just/sustainable/peaceful global society in the 21st centure -2000 at the Earth charter commission meeting -endorsed by major groups/leaders/orgs/universities globally

differences between sustainability and sustainable development

sustainable development is the path to sustainability

factors that affect fertility rates

status of women (edu, age of marriage etc) access to birth control healthcare urban residence wealth

demography

study of human population

GNP

sum of all good and services produced by US companies throughout world

GDP

sum of goods/services produced within national boundaries (even by international companies)

Pillars of the earth charter

-Respect and Care for the Community of Life -Ecological Integrity -Social and Economic Justice -Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace

politics

-The process of bargaining, negotiation, and compromise that determines who gets what, when, and how

who implements envi policies

* Departments and agencies within the executive branch are charged with carrying out the laws. * EPA creates specific regulations to be followed * State environmental agencies may then be required to develop, implement, and enforce their own version of these standards at the state level -- state regs can be stricter but EPA is a baseline

what does EPA do

- Develop and enforce regulations - Give grants to state environmental programs, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, etc. - Study environmental issues - Sponsor partnerships with government, businesses, and non-profits - Teach people about the environment - Publish information

how to live a bioregional life?

-Buying food grown locally (and organically). -no large chain retailers, locally owned stores and locally made products that are socially and environmentally responsible. -Banking with locally owned banks, especially ones that invest in the community. -Knowing the birds, animals, trees, plants and weather patterns of your place, as well as land features and soil types. -Understanding the human cultures that have occupied your place in the past and respecting their ways of life. -Getting to know your neighbors and "looking out for each other." -Knowing where your garbage goes and reducing your waste to a minimum. -Knowing where your drinking water comes from and using water conservatively. -Voting in local elections and being involved in political decision-making.

Policy

A decision, principle, plan, or course of action adopted by an organization or government in order to achieve a desired outcome

UN pop predictions

By 2050, world population is likely to top 9 billion Population will then begin to level off around 11 billion

National Environmental Policy Act

Created environmental policies and goals for the country. fed agencies have to do assessments of environmental impacts to get fed gov funding

Gaia Hypothesis

Earth = a single living organism that is self-sustaining and self-renewing Organisms interact with their inorganic surroundings on Earth to form a self-regulating, complex system that helps to maintain the conditions for life on the planet.

2nd law of thermodynamics

Entropy As energy is transferred/ transformed you loose some/ it's wasted. order---> disorder QUALITY

US examples of Dominant SOcial Paradigm

Free-market economics A growth-oriented mentality Faith in science and technology (or not!) A sense of separation from the natural environment (humans are separate from and valued above nature)

GPI

Genuine Progress Indicator starts with the same accounting framework as the GDP, but then adds in economic contributions such as household and volunteer work and subtracts factors such as crime, pollution, and family breakdown.

examples of global to local scale

Individual actions and values Community actions and values City/county laws and policies State laws and policies Federal laws and policies International cooperation

IPAT Equation old version

I = P × A × T environmental impact (I) = population (P) × affluence (A) × technology (T) where A = average consumption of resources and T = environmental disruptiveness of the technologies used to provide the goods consumed

IPAT Equation new

Impact= population x consumption/ person x impact /unit of consumption if the impact per unit of consumption can be reduced, it could greatly lessen the impact of high population or consumption --- focus on low impact tech

consumption according to dif people

Physicists: Transformations of matter and energy Economists: Spending on consumer goods Ecologists: Eating food Sociologists: Status symbol of keeping up with the Joneses

biospheric entropy

The biosphere has been in dynamic equilibrium for a long time, but humans are now creating large amounts of entropy through our heavy energy use.

public trust doctrine, why important

a basic principle upon which other laws are based Establishes public ownership over certain natural resources and common/shared environments such as air, waters, dunes, tidelands, underwater lands, fisheries, shellfish beds, parks and commons, migratory species, sacred sites, and historical monuments

law of nuisance

a basic principle upon which other laws are based Restricts uses of private property that might injure the public, such as air and water pollution, bad odors, and public health threats (e.g., unsafe buildings, allowing concentrations of pests, storing explosives, etc.)

what is the limits to growth

a book by the club of rome ( a global, political think tank). models the interactions between the exponential growth of human society and finite earth resources -said collapse could happen in 21st century - advocates to established stabilized world

cradle to grave concepts

a book that advocates for redesigning industrial processes to mimic natural processes to create 0 waste and use outputs as inputs in other processes to be more environmentally sustainable and efficient

auditing

adding up all the resources used and waste created for a unit (i.e family, university) can be specific to a resources --might be the first step in cost ben repeated audits measure change overtimes

issues that must be addressed

all complicated and touch 3 pillars: Climate Energy Water Food and agriculture Ecosystems and biodiversity Population growth Pollution Production and consumption Waste and recycling Green buildings Livable cities Economic development

bioregion

areas that shares topography, plant and animal life, and culture. can be defined along watershed boundaries or political boundaries Ideally could be largely self-sufficient in terms of food, products, and services, with a more sustainable impact on the environment.

federalism

balancing state and federal powers

dominant social paradigm

beliefs, values, and ideals that influence our thinking about society, government, and individual responsibility~~ affects envi policy

rate of natural increase

birth rate - death rate (excludes migration)

types of capital ecological econ

capital= any wealth that can be used to make more wealth + natural capital - Goods and services provided by nature. (i.e. fresh air or stress relief from a park) + human or cultural capital - Knowledge, experience, and human enterprise. + manufactured or built capital - Tools, infrastructure, and technology. + social capital - Shared values, trust, cooperative spirit, and community organization.

ecocentrism

centered on nature * Centered on natural ecosystems of which humans are a part. * Holistic view in which humans and nature are not seen as separate. * Humans are subject to ecological laws. * Respects and values nature in its own right. * Views nature as more like an organism than a machine.

egocentrism

centered on self * Humans are separate from nature (dualism). * Humans are the center of all creation and the source of all value. * Human material desires justify manipulating, exploiting, and destroying nature. * Mechanical view of nature. * Generally the view taken for granted by Westerners and has deep roots in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

homocentrism

centered on society * Sees the human mind as the pinnacle of evolution but also recognizes that humans are a part of nature and so natural and social history are intertwined. * Nature is valued, but humanity and society are valued more. * Benevolent attitudes towards nature are favored for practical and emotional reasons (we need nature in order for humans to survive). * Based on a utilitarian philosophy.

sustainability verses environmentalism

sustainability fosuses on the whole picture (social and economic and environmental) environmentlism= trying to fix problems of the past, what NOT to do sustainability is focused on creating a better future for earth and people, focus on what to DO, ie redesign

global to local scale

effective sustainability needs to be addressed at all levels from global to local

federal level branches of gov

executive, legislative, judicial

public trust doctrine, actual outline

gov has to up keep public land, they're natural rights means corps can externalize their costs on society by polluting gov land dates back to roman law

policy decision framework debates

government v. individual control competing public values uncertainty and action which level of gov is responsible which gov agency protect against selfish actions best means to an end political power relationship

demographic transition

graph s curve preindustrial (increase) transitional (increase at increasing) transitional (increase at decreasing) industrial (level off)

china's one child policy

has lead to more boys than girls in the below 50/60 age range. Has limited growth

valuing natures services

have to attach a value so you can cost ben that bih

how to stop population growth

helping poor people health care women rights etc

ecological economics

how we allocate environmental and natural resources within the limits of biological and geological constraints more holistic values natures services thinks about distribution in the PRESENT and FUTURE

HDI

human development index used by UN to track social and economic factors/ progress

sustainability def

ideal end state ecological ballance which allows economics and social equalty to thrive across generations

factors of production neoclassical

land - all naturally occurring resources whose supply is inherently fixed labor - the ability to work capital - any produced thing that can enhance a person's ability to perform economically useful work, including money, tools, machinery, buildings, etc. substitutable and interchangeable, no one resource is indispensable

Endangered Species Act

makes it illegal to kill/take any endagered species creates the list

infinite growth verses carrying capacity

neoclassical vs. ecological there are limits on growth and resources

2016 sustainable development goals

new goals in Jan 2016, more ambitious development goals for 2030 zero poverty zero hunger good health gender equality reduced inequalities sustainable cities clean water and sanitation climate action unpolluted oceans and land

policy cycle

policy develops through a cycle id problem, set agenda, format policy, implement, assess (maybe terminate), revise policy back to start

types of ecosystem services

supporting, provisioning, regulating, cultural - Regulating global energy balance, chemical composition of atmosphere and oceans, local and global climate, water catchment and groundwater recharge, recycling of organic and inorganic materials, maintenance of biological diversity - Providing space and suitable substrates for human habitation, crop cultivation, energy conversion, and recreation - Producing oxygen, fresh water, food, medicine, fuel, fodder, fertilizer, building materials, and industrial inputs - Supplying aesthetic, spiritual, historic, cultural, artistic, scientific, and educational opportunities and information

National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

protects pristine rivers from development that would change their wild or scenic nature

Clean Air Act

regulates stationary and mobil emissions national ambient air quality standards established

logistic growth curve

s shape, carrying capacity is the top line asymptote

brundtland commission

set up by UN in 1983 to get countries to pursue sustainable development

population pyramids

shape of plot indicates birth rate

demographic transition

the shift from high pop to low