Podcast
Questions and Answers
What best defines sustainability?
What best defines sustainability?
- Using resources at a rapid pace to grow the economy.
- The possibility that human and other forms of life will flourish forever. (correct)
- Meeting the needs of the present by depleting natural resources.
- Maintaining current living standards without considering future generations.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three pillars of sustainability?
Which of the following is NOT one of the three pillars of sustainability?
- Cultural (correct)
- Social
- Economic
- Environmental
Which of the following reasons indicates the need for sustainability?
Which of the following reasons indicates the need for sustainability?
- To maintain the status quo in agricultural practices.
- To promote rapid industrial growth.
- To increase dependency on fossil fuels.
- To ensure water security and mitigate global warming. (correct)
What is a consequence of human activities that contribute to climate change?
What is a consequence of human activities that contribute to climate change?
What statement best describes the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
What statement best describes the concept of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
In what way does climate change challenge sustainability efforts?
In what way does climate change challenge sustainability efforts?
What is one of the key roles of sustainable development in relation to climate change?
What is one of the key roles of sustainable development in relation to climate change?
Which statement best describes the term 'climate change'?
Which statement best describes the term 'climate change'?
What is the primary benefit of genetically modified (GM) apples?
What is the primary benefit of genetically modified (GM) apples?
What significant reduction in land usage did GMOs provide in 2020?
What significant reduction in land usage did GMOs provide in 2020?
What is a key purpose of golden rice?
What is a key purpose of golden rice?
What is meant by water security?
What is meant by water security?
What is one potential benefit of the Nile dam project for Sudan?
What is one potential benefit of the Nile dam project for Sudan?
How do sponge cities in China manage stormwater?
How do sponge cities in China manage stormwater?
What is a characteristic function of ice stupas in Ladakh?
What is a characteristic function of ice stupas in Ladakh?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between climate-resilient water management and water security?
Which of the following best describes the relationship between climate-resilient water management and water security?
What was the primary goal of the Montreal Protocol?
What was the primary goal of the Montreal Protocol?
Which achievement is associated with the Montreal Protocol?
Which achievement is associated with the Montreal Protocol?
What is a major consequence of the Montreal Protocol's implementation?
What is a major consequence of the Montreal Protocol's implementation?
What important definition was established in the Brundtland Report?
What important definition was established in the Brundtland Report?
Which event was influenced by the publication of Our Common Future?
Which event was influenced by the publication of Our Common Future?
What impact has the Montreal Protocol had on the global climate system?
What impact has the Montreal Protocol had on the global climate system?
What was discovered about the ozone layer in 1974?
What was discovered about the ozone layer in 1974?
By how much has the Antarctic ozone hole shrunk since 2000?
By how much has the Antarctic ozone hole shrunk since 2000?
What was one of the main failures highlighted during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002?
What was one of the main failures highlighted during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002?
Which of the following was a significant success at the Rio+10 Summit?
Which of the following was a significant success at the Rio+10 Summit?
What major event did the Paris Agreement aim to address?
What major event did the Paris Agreement aim to address?
Which of the following priority areas was identified during the Rio+20 Earth Summit that requires urgent attention?
Which of the following priority areas was identified during the Rio+20 Earth Summit that requires urgent attention?
What temperature increase limit does the Paris Agreement strive to maintain?
What temperature increase limit does the Paris Agreement strive to maintain?
During which period did Australia's
During which period did Australia's
What was one of the devastating impacts of the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires?
What was one of the devastating impacts of the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires?
What non-binding document was published following the Rio+20 Earth Summit?
What non-binding document was published following the Rio+20 Earth Summit?
What is one significant impact of climate change on bushfire seasons?
What is one significant impact of climate change on bushfire seasons?
Which of the following factors is not a cause of bushfires?
Which of the following factors is not a cause of bushfires?
What practice involves creating controlled fires to prevent larger wildfires?
What practice involves creating controlled fires to prevent larger wildfires?
What is a consequence of Japan's overfishing practices?
What is a consequence of Japan's overfishing practices?
Which practice is considered sustainable for managing fire risks?
Which practice is considered sustainable for managing fire risks?
What contributes to the increased risk of bushfires due to climate change?
What contributes to the increased risk of bushfires due to climate change?
What is one implication of overfishing for marine ecosystems?
What is one implication of overfishing for marine ecosystems?
Which factor is a driving force behind increased lightning strikes linked to climate change?
Which factor is a driving force behind increased lightning strikes linked to climate change?
What is a significant threat to coral reefs linked to fishing practices?
What is a significant threat to coral reefs linked to fishing practices?
Why is fishing for large fish particularly harmful to fish populations?
Why is fishing for large fish particularly harmful to fish populations?
Which practice is considered unsustainable fishing?
Which practice is considered unsustainable fishing?
What does the term 'bycatch' refer to in fishing practices?
What does the term 'bycatch' refer to in fishing practices?
How can coastal communities manage fish populations sustainably?
How can coastal communities manage fish populations sustainably?
Marine debris can harm coral reefs in which way?
Marine debris can harm coral reefs in which way?
What is one method recommended for individuals to support coral reef conservation?
What is one method recommended for individuals to support coral reef conservation?
In the context of sustainable fisheries, what does 'TURF' stand for?
In the context of sustainable fisheries, what does 'TURF' stand for?
Flashcards
Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development
Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Sustainability
Sustainability
The possibility that human and other forms of life on earth will flourish forever.
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
What are the three pillars of sustainability?
Environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability.
What is sustainability?
What is sustainability?
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What are Sustainable Development Goals?
What are Sustainable Development Goals?
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What is climate change?
What is climate change?
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How does sustainability relate to global warming?
How does sustainability relate to global warming?
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How do we talk about climate change?
How do we talk about climate change?
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Montreal Protocol
Montreal Protocol
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Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)
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Antarctic Ozone Hole
Antarctic Ozone Hole
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Phase-Out
Phase-Out
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Brundtland Report (Our Common Future)
Brundtland Report (Our Common Future)
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Earth Summit (Rio Summit)
Earth Summit (Rio Summit)
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Agenda 21
Agenda 21
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What are GMOs?
What are GMOs?
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What is Golden Rice?
What is Golden Rice?
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What is water security?
What is water security?
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What is climate-resilient water management?
What is climate-resilient water management?
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What are nature-based solutions for water security?
What are nature-based solutions for water security?
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Why is the Nile River important?
Why is the Nile River important?
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What are sponge cities?
What are sponge cities?
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What are ice stupas?
What are ice stupas?
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How does Climate Change increase Bushfire Risk?
How does Climate Change increase Bushfire Risk?
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Prescribed Burning
Prescribed Burning
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Fire Breaks
Fire Breaks
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Regrowing Forests with Fire-Resilient Seeds
Regrowing Forests with Fire-Resilient Seeds
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Overfishing
Overfishing
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Implications of Overfishing
Implications of Overfishing
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Shark Finning
Shark Finning
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Dolphin killing
Dolphin killing
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Rio+10
Rio+10
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Rio+20
Rio+20
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Paris Agreement
Paris Agreement
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Australia's "Black Summer" Bushfire
Australia's "Black Summer" Bushfire
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Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
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Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)
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Climate Change Report
Climate Change Report
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Fishing Nurseries
Fishing Nurseries
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Indiscriminate Fishing
Indiscriminate Fishing
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Fishing Spawning Aggregations
Fishing Spawning Aggregations
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Fishing Too Many Big Fish
Fishing Too Many Big Fish
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Marine Debris
Marine Debris
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Limitless Fishing
Limitless Fishing
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Conventional Fishing
Conventional Fishing
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Practicing Bycatch
Practicing Bycatch
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Study Notes
KIX 2005 - Law, Ethics & Sustainability for Engineers - Week 10
- Learning Outcomes: Sustainability
- Topics covered:
- What is sustainability?
- Why is sustainability needed?
- Three pillars of sustainability
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Sustainability event timeline
- Case studies
What is Sustainability?
- Sustainable Development: Development that fulfills the needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs (Brundtland, 1987).
- Sustainability: The likelihood that human and other forms of life on Earth will thrive permanently.
- Three Pillars:
- Environmental
- Social
- Economic
Why Sustainability is Important
- Need to address issues like:
- Global warming
- Food security
- Water security
How Sustainability Relates to Global Warming
- Problem: Global warming necessitates sustainability.
- Reason: Human activities causing climate change are inherently unsustainable, altering the environment humanity relies on.
- Solution: Sustainable development aims to mitigate climate change's environmental and societal effects.
- Challenge: Climate change hinders finding sustainable solutions to the problem.
What is Climate Change?
- Climate change is long-term change in the average weather patterns. Defining Earth's local, regional, and global climates.
How to Discuss Climate Change
- Focus on action, not simply awareness. People tend not to consider climate change when making everyday decisions, such as choosing a mode of transport or investment decisions.
- Climate change concerns already exist, so don't try to convince people of its reality.
Greenhouse Effect
- Greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, CH4, N2O) trap heat in the atmosphere.
- This absorbed sunlight is then re-emitted in all directions, heating the Earth.
Increase in Atmospheric CO2
- Atmospheric CO2 levels have increased significantly since the start of the industrial revolution, due to fossil fuel burning.
- This increase is unprecedented in the past 800,000 years.
Global Temperature Change (1850-2020)
- Average global temperatures have risen by 1°C since the start of the industrial revolution, primarily due to increased CO2.
Drastic Efforts to Decrease CO2 Emissions (Crucial for Sustainability)
- The world has a limited budget of around 600 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions to avoid exceeding a 1.5 - 2°C increase in global average temperatures.
- Immediate and significant reductions in CO2 emissions are required to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Emissions should peak before 2020 & swiftly decline to zero.
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions (2016)
- Energy use is the largest sector contributing, accounting for 73.2 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use were the second largest contributor, accounting for 18.4% of emissions
Who is Emitting the Most CO2?
- Asia and the Pacific are significant emitters.
- 40% of global emissions are from the region, and this percentage is expected to be
- 64% of Asia's power consumption is expected to be from PRC and India by 2030
Who is at Risk from Climate Change?
- People living in poverty, women/children, and elderly, outside workers and individuals with chronic health conditions.
- Individuals living in megacities, small island nations, coastal/mountainous regions and polar areas, and nations with weak healthcare systems.
Irony of Climate Change
- Wealthier countries, mainly in Europe, produce the most emissions, yet developing nations, primarily in Africa, bear the brunt of the impacts.
Why is Africa Vulnerable to Climate Change?
- High birth rates and rapid urbanization concentrate risks.
- Africa's weather systems are sensitive to temperature increases, making the continent susceptible to extreme events and droughts, flooding, and storms.
- Low adaptive capacity due to poverty, governance issues and financial constraints.
- Agriculture relies heavily on weather patterns; consequently, disruptions in weather patterns affect agriculture.
Threats to Coral Reefs Due to Overfishing
- Nearshore habitats act as nurseries; indiscriminate fishing removes young fish before they can replenish the population.
How is Overfishing Unsustainable?
- Limitless fishing without regulations.
- Conventional fishing practices are uncontrolled.
- Bycatch practices harm other marine species during commercial fishing.
Sustainable Practices for Overfishing
- Establishing caps on annual fish catch limits.
- Establishing marine protected areas with fishing restrictions.
- Implementing catch and release practices for unwanted fish.
How does Sustainability Relate to Food Security?
- Food security involves food availability, access, utilization, and stability in a country or region. Access involves the ability of individuals to acquire food.
- Fortifying food production through sustainable and efficient methods (e.g., crop rotation).
- Reducing food waste.
Regenerative Agriculture
- Various techniques, including cover crops, no-till systems, crop rotation, increased biodiversity, and integrated livestock, that improve soil health.
How GMOs Contribute to Reducing Food Waste
- Specific GMO varieties exhibit reduced bruising and browning, minimizing post-harvest waste.
- GMOs reduce the reliance on extensive land cultivation, making greater efficiency possible.
Golden Rice
- Genetically modified rice, developed to increase beta-carotene (precursor for vitamin A).
- Counteracts vitamin A deficiency impacting health and well-being in many regions, particularly in the Philippines.
How Sustainability Relates to Water Security
- Water security is the availability of clean water for a country or region and the ability of people within that area to access, afford, and use sufficient water.
- Approaches for water security:
- Climate-resilient water management.
- Nature-based solutions (e.g., the use of "sponge cities" and Himalayan ice stupas.)
Sustainability Event Timeline
- Key dates and events related to sustainability, including pivotal environmental conferences and agreements.
-
1962- Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
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1987- Montreal Protocol
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1987- Our Common Future (Brundtland Report)
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1988- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
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1992- Rio Earth Summit
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1997- Kyoto Protocol
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2002- Rio +10
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2012- Rio +20
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2012- Doha Amendment of Kyoto Protocol
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2015- Paris Agreement
-
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- A collection of UN goals to address global challenges and promote sustainable development globally across 17 different areas encompassing poverty, hunger, good health, quality education, and gender equality, clean water, decent work, reduced inequalities, responsible consumption, climate action, etc.
Active Learning - SDG Tier Cake
- Visual representation of the SDGs, outlining how different goals support and interconnect, with the environment as the foundation (e.g., SDG 1 No Poverty, SDG 2 Zero Hunger, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production.)
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Description
Test your knowledge on the concepts of sustainability, climate change, and sustainable development goals. This quiz explores the pillars of sustainability, the impact of human activities on the environment, and innovative solutions to climate challenges. Challenge yourself with questions about GMOs, water security, and sustainable practices.