Sustainability Test 1 Study Guide (ch.1-3)

Jean-Baptiste Colbert (1669)

-Tried to ensure enough wood for the navy -Advocated protecting the rights of forest owners against illegal poaching, grazing & logging Wrote Ordonnance sur le fait des Eaux et Forets- (reformation of forest-related decrees) **old growth forests were protected b/c the crown needed them for navy... however French monarchy sold off many of the royal forests that resulted in more deforestation for utilitarianism

John Evelyn (1664)

-main interest was maintaining naval & state power and realized the dwindling forests that built such powers **Evelyn advocated the replanting of the forests -Reforestation of the Royal Forest of Dean

Dwindling resources necessitated change

-marked the beginning of environmental consciousness -John Evelyn(1664): main interest was maintaining naval & state power and realized the dwindling forests that built such powers **Evelyn advocated the replanting of the forests -Reforestation of the Royal Forest of Dean

Adam Smith- "Wealth of Nations" (Discussion of Classical & Growth Oriented economies)

-national wealth is a product of labor outputs -increase in production is governed by an "invisible hand" (supply & demand which controls prices) -Supply & demand harmonizes self interest & public interest by giving society what it wants

Classical Economics (pre 18th century) 1600's

-opinion was that healthy economies would continuously grow in income & output -focus on growth was in reference to capital accumulation as the driver *increases population

4 Main principles for Discussion on Sustainability

1. Human society, the economy, and natural environment are interconnected 2. A society will respect ecological limits or face collapse 3. A society that hopes to stick around in the long term needs to plan wisely for the future 4. Localize & Decentralize

Growth oriented economies

1770's- critiques of deregulated growth oriented economies. *critics were concerned about negative consequences for society, economy, & environment

When/ where did SUSTAINABILITY begin a common topic of discussion?

1965- references to sustainable growth (Focus on sustaining long-term economic reliance on RESOURCE utilization-- diff from modern)// MODERN day definitions of sustainability emphasize an Ecological POV... Human society & economy are closely connected to the natural world

Other sustainability's: Cities

48/55 of the United States largest cities have dedicated programs focused on sustainability

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's writings

"Discourse on the Arts & Sciences" -argued science & artisanal innovation had advanced (believed it was good), but weakened the moral capacities of humankind in the process "Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality among Men" -humans are naturally equal in a moral sense -inequality is socially created -There is a link between social inequality & the unequal ownership and usage of nature

First sustainability efforts were in response to...

Anthropocene (Human impact dominating influence on climate & environment) which had short sited developmental practices

How is sustainability achieved?

Balance of the 3 E's- Environment, Equity, Economy (Originated 1987 @ Brundtland Commission)

Maximum Carrying Capacity

Largest number of people that can be supported in a geographic area *optimal CC is 1/2 of maximum CC

4th principle for discussion on Sustainability: Localize & Decentralize

Movement away from large conglomerate businesses and towards more local sourcing & productions (ex- agriculture & energy) -"production by the masses, rather than mass production" -->counter points: some see it as a return to conventional practices & as an inversion to industrialization trends (which are blamed for modern day unsustainability)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau beliefs

Said that... -tech. innovation didn't make humans happier -social inequality is linked to condition of natural environment -advocated for simple living & connection w/ nature -emphasized importance of moral advancement rather than tech or economic advances -opponent of industrial revolution -cities & civilized living drive a wedge between humans & nature

Why is international collaboration so difficult?

Some nations are in an economically disadvantaged posistion relative to other countries// Global leaders grew unsustainably to get to their place in power Greatest issues due to unsustainability are from the developed countries--> should also bear the burdens

Agenda 21 (resulted from the Earth Summit 1992)

Stated the basic principles that should guide countries in their quest for economic development in the 21st century

First principle for discussion on Sustainability: Human society, economy, & natural environment are interconnected

Systems thinking- evolved from ecology and helps establish these trends in other areas of sustainability (how constituent parts of smaller systems work and impact the functionality of the larger system) Social sustainability- well being, equality, democracy & justice Economic sustainability- production of goods on a continuous basis, BUT avoid excessive debt & balance demands of different sectors Ecosystem- idea in ecology that impacts approach to environmental thinking

Conservation

conserving resources to allow for further use

Extrinsic unsustainability

contributes to instability outside of its own rate of existence (fossil fuels)--> use them faster then they are replenished & their use contributes to further instability of the atmosphere

Tragedy of the Commons

critique of issues associated with common-pool resources & free market economies. Examples include... -Overfishing in N. Atlantic -Extraction of groundwater in midwest -Timber harvesting in Pacific NW -overgrazing Solving tragedy of commons... **Adopting regulations to prevent over consumption (causes pushback) -privatization of entire resources -education for users of the resource

Issues with growth

-If growth in GDP or other national measures is a requirement for progressive society... environmental degradation likely will follow - Economic growth is not the same as human well-being... loss of clean air/water and other losses of ecological services undermine well being, despite increasing economic growth & GDP

Slow progress of the 18th century

-There was no explicit sustainable or environmental movement in the western world -humans had a anthropocentric relationship with nature -belief that environment was there for us to utilized for our own benefits -'Rights of nature' was a nonexistent concept -nature was perceived as separate from & beneath human society -Environmental degradation began to be criticized based on its negative societal impacts

Concern about growth (late 18th century) late 1700's

- increases in privatization of publicly owned land - pro-growth policies adopted by govt's resulted in increased consumption of natural resources -increases in mechanization resulted in a changing labor force & brought social strife

How to solve tragedy of the commons

-Adopting regulations to prevent over consumption (causes pushback) -privatization of an entire resource -education of the users of the resource **Social pressure may prevail**

Other Sustainability's: Business- (WBSCD) World Business Council for Sustainable Development

-Aims to help make internal business operations & decisions more sensitive to their environmental implications **Advocated 'Triple Bottom Line' - Business members compelled to report 1+ times per year on what they, and their supply chains have done to reduce their impacts on the environment Council for Sustainable Development + World Industry Council for the Environment= (WBSCD) World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Other Sustainability's: Communities

-Build community as a form of social capital *how we treat people affects the community attitudes* *ideally creates a more adaptive & cohesive society with the ability to act collectively if needed

Origins of Sustainability

-Early Modernity (17th & 18th centuries)-First modern aspect- sustained yield forestry *Became prevalent as countries like Germany, W. Europe, Japan, & Asia began to notice problems with sustained yield forestry

Japan response to Unsustainable deforestation: Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1867)

-Forests began decreasing notably by the 17th century (early 1600's) during time of peace, prosperity & growth ** Reaction to deforestation began in 1660's... -urged people to replant By 1700 there was a Nationwide effort of woodland management: -regulation of wooded areas, data on forest inventories, & coppicing technique *policies enforced based on needs of the state *In Modern Day japan has good forest management policies, but export much of their unsustainable practices

Philosophical goal of Sustainability:

A desire to create a society that is safe, stable, prosperous, and ecologically-minded

Carrying capacity

Ability of an area of land to support human populations *Maximum vs Optimal CC Hypothesized that optimal CC might be as low as 1/2 the Max CC

Hans Carl von Carlowitz- royal mining administrator

Advocated for sustained yield forestry which was important for the local mining industry that required constant supply of timber **Promoted the first comprehensive strategy for sustained yield forestry** -criticized the management that led to dwindling resources -His idea of sustainability was a reaction to mishandling of forest resources

Other sustainability's: Universities

Almost all institutions have sustainability programs to promote the awareness and knowledge of sustainable practices & get more people involved. - STARS: system of comparison & rating of university's sustainability

Dryzek

Believes sustainability is a broad debate rather than a specific model system or idea... Sustainability assumes action by individuals, not an expectation that government or someone else will solve the problem. Argues that in recent decades there has been a shift in environmental discourse... AWAY from: wilderness, preservation, population growth, and idea that earths resources are unlimited & markets will solve all. & Towards: Energy supply, animal rights, species extinction, climate change & sustainability.

Sustainists: Believe that there is a need for fundamental change in thinking that redefines society along lines of sustainability

Central philosophy (like free market capatilism) to focus on plans for the future and rejecting actions that threaten the lives and well being of future generations

2nd Principle for discussion on Sustainability: Society will respect ecological limits or face collapse

Club of Rome (group of intellectuals)- -Challenged conventional economic thinking & forced a global debate on drawbacks of growth Key point- society that puts growth as the prime factor for success is subject to problems (ex- prime focus on healthy GDP growth) "The Limits to Growth" (1972)

Albert A. Bartlett -Nuclear physicist

Contended that "sustainable growth" is an oxymoron. (the words 'sustainable' & 'growth' are contradictory) "The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function" Wrote "Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth, and the Environment- Revisited" (Essays 1997-1998)

The Brundtland report (Gro Harlem Brundtland- Norwegian Prime Minister 1986-1996)

Defined our understanding of the goals of sustainability (3 E's) -Created an international agenda for protecting the global environment

Early societies were NOT 'ecotopias'

Deforestation was a significant issue in... -13th century England -Roman Republic -Greece Cronan- "there has been no timeless wilderness in a state of perfect changelessness"

Where did Sustainability come from?

Derived from words such as Sustain, Support, Endure, Restrain. /// Ideas addressed in the Early modern period (1664) by John Evelyn in his writings about forestry. Talked about by Hans Carl von Carlowitz relating to sustained yield forestry (Nachhaltig- means sustainable)

Sustainability definition:

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

3 E's of Sustainability- Originated 1987 @ Brundtland Commission)// Model endorsed in 2005 at UN World Summit Environment is the foundation of sustainability b/c society and economy are supported by the environment

Environment (most important), Equity, & Economy... Equity (society & culture)- ability of people to be free & democratization so everyone has a voice (ex- landfills near poor neighborhoods) Environment- W/o resources no society or economy can be built Economic- bad business practices run you out of business in the long term; taxes to finance public projects/plans; investing in assets w/ potential for growth; not burying people in debt BALANCE of these 3 aspects= sustainability

Green Imperialism- Richard H. Grove

Euro- controlled islands in the Caribbean, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans had major impact on modern environmental consciousness... -easier to recognize degradation & its consequences -exacerbated by ecological imperialism which overwhelmed local ecologies(new flora & fauna replaced indigenous) **provided indications of anthropogenic climate change -Deforestation made local climates drier & warmer *Again, concern for growth and strength of state were the driving forces behind sustainability & environmentalism- not concern for environment itself

Sustainable agriculture

Farming that remains productive during & after major disturbances

Sustainable Biological resource use

Focus on "maximum sustainable yield" Ex: harvesting trees at a rate that allows the forest to continue to produce trees Ex: fishing at a rate that allows population of fish to maintain a particular size **Problems that arise... -hard to calculate how many fish have been fished before the population has collapsed** -doesn't account for environmental factors such as El Nino

Hans Carl von Carlowitz- Suggestions for sustained yield forestry

Forestry suggestions included... - selective logging -coppicing: cutting the base of trees close in the winter to increase regrowth in the spring -reforestation efforts -use of peat & coal for heating instead of wood

Focus of Unsustainability vs Sustainability changes based on the context... Context changes the emphasis of why certain things are sustainable/unsustainable

Fossil fuels are.. -unsustainable b/c they are used faster than they are replenished -unsustainable b/c they contribute to environmental consequences that are unsustainable ** Products can be viewed as internally or externally sustainable/unsustainable** - Extrinsic unsustainability- contributes to instability outside of its own rate of existence (fossil fuels)

Classical Economics

Free market can regulate itself by bringing products & services to consumers and profits to producers & sellers w/o the need for state intervention

{Slightly} changing worldviews

Gradual shift that saw humans as part of the 'economy of nature' (humans were still the pinnacle but recognition of environmental impact showed progress) -New scientific perspective subjected the environment to a utilitarian perspective *"Nature felt nothing & therefore had no rights" **Nature was seen as a "storehouse of raw materials at the disposal for mans ingenuity"** -new scientific perspective gave the deceptive belief that nature had been figured out

Preservation

Hands off approach to the environment- "let it be how it is/was"

Optimal Carrying Capacity

How large of a human population can be supported without putting the area at risk of collapse *optimal CC is 1/2 of maximum CC

Sustainable development- if environment & its resources are diminished, economic growth is undermined

If environment & the ecosystem services are diminished, economic growth is undermined *Requires Ecodevelopment: greater attention payed to the most efficient use of natural resources by business & industry // Critiques to development... -Adaptations like technologies in an effort to improve the environment may only shift degradation to a different form or different place in the world. -Overreliance on technology can delay sustainable actions b/c of the hope for a ground breaking innovation to "save" us

Smart Growth

International agencies pre 1970 made efforts to provide economic development assistance but neglected sustainability mindset... -Growth came at the expense of environmental degradation in developing countries Post 1970's Ecodevelopment began to enter the mainstream consciousness for international development (as a result of lessons learned)

3rd Principle for discussion on Sustainability: Society that hopes to stick around long-term need to plan wisely for the future

Iroquois Confederacy- "In every deliberation we must consider the impact on the 7th generation" - Lack of inter-generational planning is unethical * Forcing problems on future generations that would not have otherwise existed *Condemn "present-day benefits at the EXPENSE of yet to be born descendants" Being mindful of OUR COMMON FUTURE & sustainable development... "Humanity has ability to make development sustainable to ensure it meets the needs of the present w/o compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs" ^^ Standard definition for sustainability^^

Early society unsustainability & Environmental factors that undermined their society--> (Lead to societal instability as groups of people experienced their resource supply run dry)

Overstressing local environments caused collapse of societies Factors that led to society collapse... -environmental damage -climate change (anthropogenic & natural) -hostile neighbors -unfriendly trade partners -social response to environmental problems **Inability to recognize own faults & their impact on the environment caused no response to them*

Sustainability emerged as a SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, & ENVIRONMENTAL ideal in late 1970's-1980's

Principles of sustainability have been around for much longer

Natural Step Theory- (1989) proposed by Swedish oncologist Karl-Henrik Robert

Promotes a sustainable society thru "4 system conditions for sustainability"--> A sustainable society is not subject to systematically increasing- 1. concentrations of substances extracted from earths crust 2. concentrations of substances produced by society 3. Degradation by physical means 4. People should not be subject to conditions that undermine their capacity to meet their needs Geared towards SHAPING practical decisions of businesses, organizations, and governments.

Who kickstarted the sustainability concept?

World Commission on Environment & Development (1987) -Economic-development activity that meets the needs of the present w/o compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"- definition of sustainability// Conservation & Preservation are linked to sustainability, but are NOT the same... SUSTAINABILITY seeks to find a 'steady state' of development that allows earth to support human population growth and economic growth w/o threatening the health of humans, animals & plants

Ecological Imperialism (coined by Alfred Crosby)

process by which Europeans subdued land and cleared local vegetation to make room to plant more "economically valuable" cash crops