Ecology and Energy Systems Quiz

Sustainable Development Definition

• Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
• This definition was established in 1987 by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED).

History of the Environmental Movement

• Local pollution (rivers, streets, exhaust emissions)
• Spread of diseases (epidemics, pandemics)
• Loss of leisure (traffic jams, overtime, fewer holidays)
• Physical degradation (construction, mining, deforestation)

History of Sustainable Development Milestones

• UNCHE 1972 (United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm):
  • Agreed on 26 principles
  • Placed environmental issues at the forefront of international concerns
  • Marked the start of a dialogue between industrialized and developing countries on the link between economic growth, pollution of air, water, and oceans and well-being of people.
  • Output #1: Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan for the Human Environment
  • Global Environmental Assessment Programme
  • Environmental management activities
  • International activity carried out at national and international levels.
  • Output #2: creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• WCED 1987 (World Commission on Environment and Development): Defined sustainable development.
• Rio 1992 (Earth Summit)
• Johannesburg 2002
• Rio+20 2012
• SDGs 2015 (Sustainable Development Goals): A set of goals to address various global issues (listed).
• Paris Agreement 2015 : A legally binding agreement on climate change.

Fundamentals of Sustainable Development

• Economy, Environment, and Society are interconnected
• Separate policy spaces versus interlinked policy spaces
  • Human-centred
  • Web of issues
  • Connected
  • Top down
  • Bottom up
  • Local
  • Ad hoc
• Global

Systems Thinking - TNS

• The Natural Step's Five Level Framework: Systems, Success, Strategic, Actions, and Tools levels
• The Funnel: Declining resources & ecosystem services versus increasing demand for resources & ecosystem services over time.
• Four System Conditions:
  • Concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth's crust
  • Concentrations of substances produced by society
  • Degradation by physical means
  • People not systematically subject to undermining conditions to meet their needs.
• ABC Method of Planning
  • Creating (creative solutions)
  • Current reality (tools & resources, challenges)
  • Down to action (action plan, ROI consideration).
  • Awareness & success (organization & community's future, sustainability principles)

Concepts

• Business Models
• Circular Economy / 4Rs (Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, Recovery)
• Cleaner Production
• Commons, Open-Access Resources
• Ecological Footprint (measuring human impact on the environment, 6 categories: cropland, grazing land, fishing grounds, built-up land, forest area, and carbon demand on land; measurement unit: global hectares)
• Energy Efficiency
• Environmentally Friendly
• Externalities
• Green Economy / Green Growth
• Natural Capital & Ecosystem Services (natural assets, including natural resource stocks, land and ecosystems, providing natural resource input and environmental service for economic production, including benefits such as clean air, water, assimilative capacity)
• Sustainable Production and Consumption
• Tipping Point / Thresholds

Tools

• Carbon Accounting (ETS)
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
• ESG Scores/Audits
• Green Procurement
• Stock Exchange Sustainability Index
• Sustainability Reporting
• Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
• UN Principles for Responsible Banking
• Input-Output Analysis
• Eco-efficiency
• Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Industrial Ecology
• Eco-industrial Parks
• Socio-technical Systems / Socio-Economic Systems

Tools - Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

• ESG performance attracts attention due to the belief that it will increase firm value and firm performance.
• Studies are examining the relationship between ESG scores, firm performance and market returns, and these studies have quite different results from each other. This is partially attributed to the lack of a standard for determining ESG scores and their calculations with different variables.

Tools – Sustainability Reporting

• A company or organization publishes a report regarding economic, environmental, and social impacts from everyday activity.
• The report presents the organization's values and governance model.
• It demonstrates the link between its strategy and its commitment to a sustainable global economy.
• Specific issues include: organizational governance, human rights, labor practices, environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, community involvement, and development

Tools – Input-Output (I-O) Analysis

• Methodology for representing and modeling economic systems
• Developed by Wassily Leontief in the 1930s
• Also known as inter-industry analysis
• System of National Accounts: I-O accounts use "make" and "use" tables

Tools – Life Cycle Assessment

• Method examining environmental burden of products from design to disposal (cradle-to-grave/cradle-to-cradle)
• Used to design new or evaluate existing products.
• Four key phases are considered:
  • Raw material extraction and pollution analysis.
  • Pollution that results from product manufacturing.
  • Environmental harm during product distribution and use.
  • Solid and liquid waste entering the environment following product use

Tools – Industrial Ecology

• Industrial ecology employs the ecosystem metaphor to make industrial systems sustainable to how natural ecosystems function.
• Organizations operate as a single interconnected system, rather than separate units.
• Waste stream from one industry becomes resource in another (by-product synergy).
• Key terms include:
  • Material and energy flows
  • By-products
  • Dematerialization
  • Decarbonization,
  • Industrial symbiosis.
  • Eco-industrial parks
  • Design for the environment
  • Extended producer responsibility
  • Product stewardship

Industrial Goods

• Chemicals and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) - examples are given
• (Micro) plastics (pie-chart of different types)
• Machinery & Design (diagram showing relationship)
• (Summary of Impacts): Industry impacts (takes, makes, uses, and discards in a table).

Services

• Modes of Trade (a diagram showing the different modes of trade as per the GATS).
• (Summary of Impacts): Services impacts (issues and solutions in a table).

Main Produce

• On Arable land (a bar chart data on various products, 2022)
• Fisheries and Aquaculture (a line graph of data on production, from 1950-2020)

Biogeochemical Cycles

• A diagram showing the relationship between various bio-elements (water, phosphorus, oxygen, earth, sulphur, and nitrogen).

What is Energy? - Primary Production

• The amount of organic matter fixed by autotrophs in a given area over a given period.
• Gross vs Net
• Secondary production
• Energy subsidy and harvest ratio (Green Revolution).
• Photosynthesis (conversion of solar energy to food).
• Data (kcal/m²/year) given for various land types.

Sustainability Challenges

• A diagram illustrating land use, inputs, outputs, consumption, biodiversity, and emissions
• Land use (croplands, forests, wetlands, riverbeds)
• Inputs (seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, water, tools & fuels)
• Outputs (harvest, industrial crops, pollutants)
• Consumption (wastes, hunger, health)
• Biodiversity & Emissions

New Farming Models

• Sustainable agriculture, forestry, and fishing practices (a list).
• Community Supported Agriculture (benefits for farmers and consumers).

Why Vehicles?

• A diagram with connections to land, Air, Water, Space, Well being, Time, Distance, Small , Big, Few, Many, Moving people, and Moving Things

Why Electric?

• A diagram with connections to Policy, Safety, Climate Change, Electric, Resource Scarcity, Health and Competitiveness

Challenges

• Costs (materials, technology, charging stations, roads).
• Infrastructure
• Resource Scarcity (fossil fuels, battery materials).
• 4Rs/Circular Economy (number of vehicles in use, battery recycling, scaling up, response to needs).
• Manufacture/Assembly.
• R&D (patents, business models).

Energy and Power Density

• A graph showing different energy sources, power and energy density.
• Fuel cell
• Lead-acid battery
• NiMH battery
• NICAD battery
• Lithium-ion battery (LIB)
• Lithium-ion capacitor (LIC).
• Fly wheel
• Electric double layer capacitor (EDLC)
• Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES).
• Aluminum electrolytic capacitor

Laws – Thermodynamics Laws

• First law: Energy is conserved.
• Second law: Energies can flow and equilibrate.
• Third law: Driving force for equilibration is uniquely defined.
• Overview
• 0th law – thermal equilibrium.

Emissions – Ice Core CO2 Trends

• Atmospheric CO2 levels over the last 800,000 years, as indicated in ice-core data, have fluctuated between 170 and 300 parts per million by volume.
• Correlation between atmospheric CO2 levels and glacial/interglacial periods.
• The Vostok core shows a consistent trend; CO2 levels prior to ~450,000 years BP have been consistently below 260 ppmv.
• Highest pre-industrial CO2 level (~298.6 ppmv) recorded in the Vostok core.
• Recent increase in CO2 levels above historical averages is evident.
• Graphs related to Ice core CO2 trends.

Emissions – IPCC AR6 Synthesis Report

• Projected global GHG emissions from NDCs will likely push CO2 concentration way above 1.5°C, potentially to 2.0°C or higher.
• Further emissions reductions after 2030 will likely be needed to comply with the Paris Agreement's goals
• Graphs associated with the IPCC data and forecasts.

Trends – Cost of Electricity

• Levelized Cost of Energy Comparison
• Unsubsidized analysis of different types of renewable energy versus conventional energy sources.
• Data in table structure for cost comparisons.

Impacts – Summary of Overall Impacts

• Energy system impacts (takes, makes, uses, discards) in a table format.
  • Solar thermal, Solar electricity, Wind motion, Wind electricity, Hydro motion, Hydro electricity, Tidal, Wave, Geo thermal, Geo electricity, OTEC, Forest Biomass, Waste Biomass, Biodiesel, Bioethanol, Coal, Oil, Natural Gas, LPG, and Nuclear electricity.

Case Subject – Ethics and Social Responsibility

• Title of study: Priva: Shaping Sustainable Cities.
• Subjects include Climate, Water, Energy, Horticulture, In-door farming, Building automation, Urban delta, Urbanisation, Green technology, IT solutions, Sustainability, Circular economy, Family business, and Female leadership.
• Authors, publishers, and publication details (year, source).
• Tags related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Priva – Creating a Climate for Growth

• Company description in numbers. Details regarding Horticulture, Buildings and Indoor Growing.

The “Social” Enterprise

• Definition of a "social" enterprise as per European perspective
• First and foremost act based on social mission (impact first)
• Has a revenue model.
• Sees profit as a means, not an end.
• Is transparent, honest and social.
• Governance and policy on equal influence of all stakeholders.

REACH – EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals

• Hazard classes including Acute Toxicity, Specific Target Organ Toxicity Exposure, Skin Corrosion, Respiratory Sensation, Aspiration Hazard, Germ Cell Mutagenicity, Reproductive Toxicity, and Flammable gasses, liquids, solids. Other hazard classes include Dangerous, Biocidals, Mixtures.

EU Green Deal

• Key targets,
• The first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
• At least 55% less net greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels) by 2030.
• 3 billion additional trees to be planted in the EU by 2030. Specific focus areas include Climate, Energy, Environment & Oceans, Agriculture, Transport, Industry, Research & Innovation, Finance & regional development, and New European Bauhaus.

Interface - U.S.A.

• World's leading producer of soft-surfaced modular floor coverings
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to measure and track average product carbon footprint
• Reduction of 35% since 2008 and 50% since 1996.
• 5 focus areas: Energy, Mission Zero, Climate, Waste, Facilities, Transportation, Products, and CSR.

Rainwater Collection at Domes - Japan

• Milestones of rainwater harvesting (RWH) facility for several Japanese domes (buildings)
• Tank capacity data for several locations (Sumo Wrestling Arena, Tokyo Sport Stadium/Tokyo Dome)

Aging Society – Japan

• Historic and projected population data.
• Images, and relevant discussion points

Ultra Mega Solar Power – India & China

• Bhadla Solar Park - India
• Gonghe Talatan Solar Park - China
• Data related to land area for each project

Community Seed Banks – India

• Concept explained, and private/voluntary organizations involved
• Areas covered include Drought, Storage Conditions, Agricultural Modernisation, Poverty, Mono-cropping, GMOs, Balanced Productivity, Pressure on Ecosystems, Pest and Plant Disease Management, Reduced Spread of Diseases, Improved Nutrition, and More Predictable.

Genetically Modified Foods – U.S.A. & Canada

• Advantages: Insect resistance, stronger crops, larger production, increased nutrients, higher income, lower prices, edible vaccines.
• Disadvantages: Allergic reactions, cross-pollination, decreased biodiversity, reduced antibiotic efficacy, gene spilling/transfer, new diseases, widened income gap.

State of California – U.S.A.

• California reduces environmental footprint with state government practices, including energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy generation, and environmentally preferable purchases. (Specific initiatives are listed)
• Initiative in comparison with other locations in the U.S.

The 100 Things Challenge – The Minimalist

• Concept and strategy to reduce material.
• Detailed lists of tools, supplies , Kitchen items, Bathroom items, Electronics, Furniture , Decorations, Casual Clothing, Dress Clothes, and Miscellaneous Clothing categories.
• Strategy: Give Away – Pass on – Donate – Recycle (sell) – Do not waste.

Water Collector – Peru & Chile

• Water collection method used in Peru and Chile from fog and humidity.

BCSD Türkiye (SKD)

• A diagram showing Sustainability through a framework associated with various UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Related initiatives

Ankamall Shopping Centre

• Rainwater collection from rooftops.

İki Mimar – Sustainable Buildings

• Project focusing on minimal soil degradation, electrification, speedy installation, zero concrete buildings.
• Sustainable elements, including, but not limited to:
  • Design elements & technology
  • Living habitat.
• Renewable vs Natura gas,
• Lightweight
• Long-lasting
• Regenerative
• Life cycle assessment (LCA)

Feyz Farm – Bursa

• Collaboration between the All Dairy, Meat and Cattle Breeders Association and Climate Change Policy and Research Association.
• Making production compatible with the EU Green Deal
• Data related to Certificates of Good farming practices, ISO 22000:2018, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015, Zero Waste, Disease-free agricultural enterprise, and Trademark details.

Slow Food Movement / Cittaslow Türkiye

• Cittaslow Turkey Network, established in 2009
• Seferihisar became the first member of the Cittaslow Association in Turkey.
• The network has 25 members.
• Includes topics around Community, Slow Food, Mobility, Urban Resilience, Good Food, and Slow Neighborhood.

The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP)

• A large-scale development project in Southeastern Anatolia aiming to develop water and land resources in the Euphrates-Tigris Basin.
• Aims to develop 22 dams, 19 hydraulic power plants, and irrigation investments.
• Covers a significant portion of land in Turkey ( ~10% of geographic area and population).
• Integrated regional development and sustainable human development philosophy.

Test your knowledge on ecological biocapacity, ecosystem services, and natural capital. This quiz also explores various energy systems and their characteristics. Challenge yourself to understand the environmental impacts we face today!