History

Question 1

Origins of Sustainability

Answer 1

• Hans Carl von Carlowitz (1713)
• mining expert from Saxony
• he said: Only cut as much wood as can grow back
• called for planned reforestation and long-term forest use

Question 2

Early Global Environmental Action

Answer 2

• environmental concerns rose due to pollution, overpopulation, and resource overuse
• 1913 in Bern: First nature conservation conference
• after WWII: Global nature organizations were formed
• 1972 Stockholm Conference: First UN global environmental meeting
• result: Creation of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Question 3

The Club of Rome & Limits to Growth (1972)

Answer 3

• an international group of scientists and experts
• aimed to study global problems and develop future scenarios

Report “Limits to Growth” (1972)

• if population and resource use continue growing, the Earth’s limits will be reached within 100 years.
• this could lead to a collapse of the environment and economy.
• urged immediate action to avoid crisis

Question 4

Brundtland Report (1987)

Answer 4

• by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED)
• goal: Find ways to solve global environmental and development issues
• promoted cooperation, understanding, and global action

Sustainable development
Development that meets the needs of the present without harming the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Question 5

Rio Earth Summit (1992)

Answer 5

• biggest environmental summit of the 20th century
• based on ideas from the Brundtland Report
• key message: Economic, social, and environmental goals must work together

Result
- international agreements
- principles for sustainable development
- a global action plan

Question 6

1987: Montreal Protocol

Answer 6

• banned ozone-depleting substances
• helped the ozone layer recover

Question 7

1997: Kyoto Protocol

Answer 7

• first agreement to cut greenhouse gases (GHGs)
• only binding for developed countries
• based on fairness: richer countries caused more pollution

Question 8

2015: Paris Agreement

Answer 8

• first legally binding global treaty on climate change
• goal: Keep global warming well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C
• all countries must act
• requires emissions to peak before 2025 and fall by 43% by 2030