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What is one of the dangers associated with crossing a tipping point in planetary boundaries?
Why is defining planetary boundaries significant for humanity?
What criticism is often associated with the planetary-boundary framework?
In the context of sustainability, what must not be neglected apart from environmental impact?
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What is a key action taken by Microsoft in relation to sustainability?
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What is sustainability development primarily concerned with?
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What criticism is commonly associated with the triple bottom line approach?
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What do the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to achieve?
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What does the concept of 'strong sustainability' emphasize?
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Which of the following statements reflects a major limitation in achieving the SDGs?
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What is one advantage of the impact-focused approach to measuring sustainability?
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Which of these is a disadvantage of the impact-focused approach?
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What does the Triple Bottom Line approach emphasize in measuring sustainability?
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One of the problems associated with the Triple Bottom Line approach is:
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Which of the following is NOT a dimension used to measure sustainability performance in companies?
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What is one advantage of a dimension-focused definition of sustainability?
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The criticism that the dimensions-focused approach is too focused on incremental changes suggests that:
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Which statement best describes the challenges related to measuring sustainability impacts?
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What is the key idea of weak sustainability?
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Which consequence is associated with strong sustainability?
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In the context of sustainability, what is meant by 'critical natural capital'?
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of the development-focused approach?
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What does the equation I = P × A × T represent?
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What is a key focus of impact-focused definitions of sustainability?
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What is the primary criticism of the development-focused approach?
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Which statement best defines the aim of strong sustainability?
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Study Notes
Planetary Boundaries and Climate Change
- Planetary boundaries concept defines environmental limits to maintain a "safe operating space for humanity."
- Many boundaries have been exceeded, resulting in climate change and potential tipping points.
- Tipping points pose three dangers:
- Rising ocean levels.
- Difficulty in stabilizing the system if carbon stores melt.
- Interconnection of boundaries; crossing one may lead to others being breached.
Importance of Reducing CO2 Emissions
- Cutting CO2 emissions is essential for sustaining the planet for future generations.
- Various businesses tackle sustainability:
- Microsoft aims to become carbon negative.
- The Guardian will ban fossil fuel company advertisements.
Sustainability Definitions
- Sustainability encompasses environmental impacts but should also consider social factors, such as working conditions and inequality.
- A clear definition is crucial for establishing accountability, defining KPIs, and benchmarking efforts among companies.
Critiques of the Triple Bottom Line
- Some dimensions may be prioritized over others, leading to neglect of significant environmental impacts.
Development Focused Sustainability
- Sustainable development meets current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.
- Prioritizes the essential needs of the world's poor and acknowledges limitations imposed by technology and social organization.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- The UN has created 17 SDGs to promote sustainable development.
- While many organizations adopt these goals, progress can be slow, and achievements in one area may hinder others.
Strong vs. Weak Sustainability
- Strong sustainability advocates that future generations should retain a share of natural resources.
- Weak sustainability allows future generations to rely on existing produced resources and technological innovation.
- Strong sustainability emphasizes preservation of critical natural capital; weak sustainability argues for substitutability of resources.
Critics of Development-Focused Approaches
- Advantages include focus on vulnerable populations and inclusion of multiple domains.
- Disadvantages encompass minimal shifts in perspective and a human-centric viewpoint that may overlook broader environmental concerns.
Impact-Focused Definitions
- Impact definitions center around environmental consequences of human actions, measured by the equation I = P x A x T (Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology).
- Critics note measurement challenges and an underrepresentation of social issues, such as poverty.
Dimension-Focused Definitions
- Often broad and inclusive but may neglect specific dimensions of sustainability.
Triple Bottom Line
- Emphasizes social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability.
- Faces challenges in specificity and feasibility of win-win situations among varying dimensions.
Sustainability Performance Metrics
- Companies increasingly measured based on environmental, social, and governance performance.
Critiques of Dimensions-Focused Approaches
- Advantages include pluralistic and adaptable frameworks that promote holistic considerations.
- Disadvantages involve potential for focusing on minimal incremental changes rather than significant impacts.
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of planetary boundaries, which defines the environmental limits for human activities to maintain a safe operating space for humanity. It examines the implications of exceeding these boundaries and the resulting impacts on climate change. Gain insights into how various sectors can contribute to a sustainable future.