Block 1 - Introduction to Sustainability Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is the definition of sustainable development?
Meeting present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet theirs.
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Social, Environmental, and Economic pillars that must work together.
Why is GDP a limited measure of progress?
GDP measures market activity, not well-being or sustainability, and ignores social inequalities.
What are the five types of capital in the five capitals framework?
Natural, Human, Social, Manufactured, and Financial capital.
What is the difference between weak and strong sustainability?
Weak sustainability sees capitals as substitutable, strong sustainability sees them as complementary and not substitutable.
What does neoclassical economics focus on?
Efficient resource allocation through supply and demand, linking welfare to consumption.
What are externalities in environmental economics?
Costs or benefits not reflected in market prices that affect third parties.
How does ecological economics differ from neoclassical economics?
It integrates ecological limits and social well-being, challenging market-centered solutions.
What is social metabolism in economics?
The economy takes in, transforms, and expels energy and materials like a living system.
Name the three key Anthropocene turning points.
Agricultural Revolution, Industrial Revolution, and Great Acceleration (post-WW2).
What drives global greenhouse gas emissions?
Demand for goods/services, food, transport, and housing energy.
What is sustainable scale?
Economic activity that stays within ecosystem limits for resource use and waste absorption.
What are three principles of sustainable resource use?
Limit resource use to what ecosystems can absorb, use renewables sustainably, replace non-renewables gradually.
What are some limitations of the ecological footprint?
It oversimplifies flows, lacks predictive power, and doesn’t indicate tipping points.
What are the main drivers of human-caused climate change?
Greenhouse gas emissions, land use changes, and industrial/energy systems.
How does land use change contribute to climate change?
Deforestation releases carbon, urbanization raises energy demand, agriculture emits methane.
What role do fossil fuels play in climate change?
They dominate energy production and cause significant CO2 emissions.
What are the effects of ocean acidification?
Weakens marine organisms’ shells, threatens coral reefs and fisheries.
What is the difference between renewable and finite resources?
Renewables renew naturally, finite resources are limited and non-renewable.
Why is recycling alone not enough for sustainability?
Because of downcycling and limited supply, circular economy models are necessary.
What is the butterfly diagram?
A visualization of the circular economy showing biological and technical material cycles.
How does economic growth impact the environment?
It leads to pollution, resource depletion, and environmental degradation.
What is the paradox of economic growth and climate change?
Growth depends on fossil fuels but causes climate change, which disrupts development.
What is Energy Return on Energy Invested (EROI)?
Energy gained / Energy invested: measures how much energy you get compared to how much you spend to get it.
