Week 27

Question 1

What is the definition of sustainability?

Answer 1

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Question 2

What are the modern focuses of sustainability?

Answer 2

• Environmental: Protecting natural resources
• Social: Ensuring equitable development
• Economic: Supporting long-term economic growth

Question 3

Why is sustainability needed?

Answer 3

• Environmental degradation
• Overconsumption of resources
• Climate change
• Economic instability

Question 4

What is a more detailed explanation of the need for sustainability?

Answer 4

• Growing population increases demand for energy, food, and water
• Finite natural resources are being depleted
• Need to balance growth with conservation

Question 5

Why are fossil fuels unsustainable?

Answer 5

• Finite resources
• Major contributors to greenhouse gases
• Pollute the environment

Question 6

What are the long-term issues with fossil fuels?

Answer 6

• Will eventually run out
• Unsustainable consumption levels
• Negative environmental impact

Question 7

What does ‘Running out of fuel’ refer to?

Answer 7

Fossil fuel reserves are depleting faster than they are being discovered or replaced.

Question 8

What are mainstream energy alternatives?

Answer 8

• Solar (Photovoltaic)
• Wind
• Hydroelectric
• Geothermal

Question 9

What is solar (photovoltaic) energy?

Answer 9

• Converts sunlight directly into electricity using solar panels.
• Renewable and produces no emissions during operation.

Question 10

What is wind energy?

Answer 10

• Uses wind turbines to generate electricity.
• Clean and renewable, though dependent on weather conditions.

Question 11

What is hydroelectric energy?

Answer 11

• Generates electricity by using the flow of water through dams.
• Renewable and widely used but can impact aquatic ecosystems.

Question 12

What is geothermal energy?

Answer 12

• Harnesses heat from within the Earth to generate electricity or heating.
• Stable and sustainable but geographically limited.

Question 13

What are secondary uses for crude oil?

Answer 13

• Used in the production of pharmaceuticals, plastics, and other chemicals.

Question 14

What is pharmaceutical sustainability?

Answer 14

• Reducing environmental impact of drug production
• Minimizing waste and improving efficiency

Question 15

What are sustainable practices in pharmaceuticals?

Answer 15

• Green chemistry
• Biodegradable packaging
• Reduced energy use in manufacturing

Question 16

What are additional sustainability efforts in the pharmaceutical industry?

Answer 16

• Efficient drug delivery systems
• Wastewater treatment to remove pharmaceuticals
• Use of renewable feedstocks

Question 17

What are global concerns in pharmaceutical sustainability?

Answer 17

• Pollution of water sources
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Ethical sourcing of materials

Question 18

What is wastewater?

Answer 18

Water that has been used and contains waste products, requiring treatment before reuse or discharge.

Question 19

What are common wastewater pollutants?

Answer 19

• Pathogens
• Nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus)
• Heavy metals
• Pharmaceuticals

Question 20

What is wastewater treatment?

Answer 20

A process to remove contaminants from wastewater to make it safe for discharge or reuse.

Question 21

What are planetary boundaries?

Answer 21

Limits within which humanity can safely operate to avoid destabilizing the Earth system.

Question 22

Why are planetary boundaries important?

Answer 22

Crossing these boundaries increases the risk of irreversible environmental damage.

Question 23

What are the UN Goals for sustainable development?

Answer 23

A set of 17 goals established to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.

Question 24

What type of energy production should we utilize for sustainability?

Answer 24

Considerations include:
- Renewable vs non-renewable sources
- Environmental impact
- Economic viability
- Energy efficiency

Question 25

Is energy production the most important challenge for sustainability?

Answer 25

Points to discuss: - Central to industrial and societal function - Direct link to climate change - Influences other sustainability sectors

Question 26

How can we improve agricultural sustainability?

Answer 26

Approaches include: - Reducing pesticide and fertilizer use - Promoting crop rotation and diversity - Conserving water - Supporting local and organic farming

Question 27

Is agricultural production the most important challenge for sustainability?

Answer 27

Points to discuss: - Directly impacts food security - Major driver of deforestation and water use - Potential to support or harm ecosystems

Question 28

What resources are the most important to manage correctly for sustainability?

Answer 28

Examples: - Water - Soil - Minerals - Forests - Fisheries

Question 29

Is resource management the most important challenge for sustainability?

Answer 29

Points to consider: - Underpins all human and industrial activities - Poor management leads to scarcity and conflict - Essential for intergenerational equity

Question 30

Is scientific research sustainable?

Answer 30

Discussion prompts: - Consider energy/material use in labs - Ethical sourcing of materials - Environmental impact of large projects

Question 31

Is scientific research exempt from the demands of sustainability?

Answer 31

Considerations: - Research drives innovation for sustainability - However, it must also reduce its own footprint - Balance between advancement and responsibility

Question 32

What are ecosystem services?

Answer 32

The benefits people obtain from ecosystems.

Question 33

What is the MA (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment)?

Answer 33

A UN initiative that assessed the consequences of ecosystem change for human well-being and provided a scientific appraisal of the condition and trends in the world’s ecosystems.

Question 34

What are the four types of ecosystem services?

Answer 34

1. Provisioning services 2. Regulating services 3. Cultural services 4. Supporting services

Question 35

What ecosystem services does water provide?

Answer 35

Provisioning: Drinking water, irrigation Regulating: Flood control, water purification Cultural: Spiritual and recreational uses Supporting: Habitat for aquatic life

Question 36

What ecosystem services do plants provide?

Answer 36

Provisioning: Food, fuel, medicine, timber Regulating: Air purification, climate regulation, carbon storage Cultural: Spiritual, aesthetic, recreational value Supporting: Photosynthesis, nutrient cycling, soil formation

Question 37

What ecosystem services do animals provide?

Answer 37

Provisioning: Food, materials Regulating: Pest control, pollination Cultural: Symbolism, recreation Supporting: Seed dispersal, part of food webs

Question 38

How do soil, animals, and plants together support ecosystem services?

Answer 38

They interact to support provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services by forming ecosystems and enabling nutrient cycling, plant growth, and biodiversity.

Question 39

What threatens ecosystem services?

Answer 39

Land use change, climate change, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation of resources.

Question 40

What can we do to protect ecosystem services?

Answer 40

Sustainable management, restoration efforts, conservation planning, incorporating ecosystem services into policy and economics.

Question 41

What is the Ecosystem Services (ES) framework?

Answer 41

A model to link ecosystems and human well-being by identifying, quantifying, and valuing the services provided by nature.

Question 42

Why is valuing ecosystem services difficult?

Answer 42

Many services are intangible, lack market value, and their benefits are dispersed and long-term, making economic valuation complex.