Sustainability Concepts and Challenges

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a potential impact of global warming on developing nations?

Increased poverty and food insecurity (correct)

Increased agricultural productivity

Enhanced biodiversity

Improved water availability

What is one of the primary goals of mitigation efforts regarding climate change?

To enhance urban development

To increase greenhouse gas emissions

To reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions (correct)

To promote international competition

Which condition is NOT part of the ideal scenario for perfect property rights?

Transferability

Accessibility (correct)

Exclusivity

Universality

Public goods are characterized by which of the following traits?

They benefit all without being diminished by individual use (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary actions associated with addressing public bads like pollution?

Implementing clean energy sources (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can governments contribute to tackling the problems associated with climate change?

By empowering the poor and increasing public awareness (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines externalities in the context of public goods and bads?

They create benefits or costs for others without compensation (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contributes to the inefficiencies in the allocation of resources, according to proponents of neo classical free market theory?

Impediments to the free market (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary requirement for sustainable development?

Meeting present needs without compromising future needs (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does environmental accounting aim to do?

Include environmental benefits and costs in quantitative analysis (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the environmental Kuznets curve describe pollution trends?

Pollution first rises and then falls as income per capita increases (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to suffer from environmental degradation?

The poorest 20% of the population (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor contributing to rapid urban growth and environmental degradation?

Increasing reliance on biomass fuels (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does sustainable net national income (NNI) indicate?

The consumable amount without diminishing capital stock (D) Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is posed by water scarcity among countries?

It creates tensions between countries over water resources (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of rural environmental degradation?

Increased migration to urban areas (C) Signup and view all the answers

What primarily causes environmental degradation according to market failures?

Inefficient resource management (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a leading global risk factor for death?

Inadequate nutrition (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of the drought in Syria from 2006 to 2011?

Migration of 1.5 million people to urban centers (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following strategies is included in climate change adaptation?

Planned adaptation (A) Signup and view all the answers

What do basic economic models suggest about market failures?

They create private returns that exceed social returns. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does living in vulnerable areas affect the poor?

It limits their economic growth potential. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of Ostrom's design principles for effective management of common property resources?

Collective choice arrangements (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a negative externality often associated with pollution?

Increased health costs for the public (C) Signup and view all the answers

What factor contributes to the difficulty of the poor in making sustainable practices?

High fertility rates (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy is recommended for developed countries to support developing nations in environmental preservation?

Lower developing country costs for preservation (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which outcome is associated with the Tragedy of the Commons?

Overexploitation of natural resources (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a cause of increased risks associated with climate change in developing countries?

Rapid industrialization (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of using wood or charcoal in indoor cooking without proper ventilation?

Human capital deficits caused by smoke inhalation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the economic policies of the countries discussed?

Dependency on volatile sectors like agriculture with little diversification. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant consequence of poor soil management in the context provided?

Reduction in food security and soil fertility. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about human capital is true?

One country has a high illiteracy rate and low life expectancy. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge in valuing public goods compared to private goods?

Demand for public goods is determined by summing individual benefits vertically. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the disaster management capacity compare between the two countries discussed?

One country has efficient disaster response and lower mortality rates. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines absorptive capacity?

The capacity of an ecosystem to assimilate potential pollutants. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'tragedy of the commons' refer to?

Unregulated overuse of a shared resource leading to its decline. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes to a country being ranked 168th in the Human Development Index?

Extensive poverty and environmental degradation. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main drivers of deforestation?

Agricultural expansion, particularly by small farmers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is marked by better institutional stability in one of the countries?

Influence of foreign control with consistent development. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How can developing countries effectively mitigate resource exploitation?

By improving property rights and legitimatizing land tenure. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which economic tool is suggested for pollution control?

Implementing pollution taxes. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why might a pollution tax be unpopular among consumers and producers?

Both groups will face increased costs due to the tax. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of debt-for-nature swaps?

Debt forgiveness in exchange for conservation commitments. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What describes the relationship between economic growth and pollution as per the Environmental Kuznets Curve?

There is an increase in pollution followed by a decrease at higher income levels. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes sustainable development?

Using resources in a way that meets present needs without compromising future generations' well-being. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable issue with international aid as described?

Effective aid needs to be long-term and well-implemented. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which option represents a method to engage local communities in environmental protection effectively?

Involving local communities in environmental programs. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of historical institutions on Haiti's development?

They contributed to underdevelopment and governance issues. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does geography play in the agricultural practices of the countries discussed?

Better agricultural practices are developed due to favorable geography. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the financial arrangements where external debt is forgiven in exchange for commitments to conservation?

Debt-for-nature swaps. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is crucial for sustainable net national income?

Accounting for depreciation of environmental and manufactured capital. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between private and public goods?

Public goods can be consumed without exclusion. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do developed countries provide effective assistance to developing nations in environmental efforts?

Offering trade liberalization and fair trade opportunities. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following generally comprises a large percentage of total capital in developing countries?

Environmental capital. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the role of subsidies in resource utilization?

Subsidies primarily benefit wealthy groups. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Sustainability Defined

Sustainability refers to meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Environmental Kuznets Curve

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) posits that environmental degradation initially increases with economic growth, then eventually decreases as income per capita rises.
Evidence supports the curve for some pollutants (e.g., air particulate matter), but not for others (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions).

Private vs. Public Goods

Private goods are excludable (e.g., a car)
Public goods are non-excludable (e.g., clean air).

Common Property Resources and the Tragedy of the Commons

Common property resources are resources that are not privately owned (e.g., fisheries, grazing land).
The Tragedy of the Commons occurs when unregulated use of a shared resource leads to depletion and reduced overall well-being.
Figure 10.4 illustrates this concept.
Limitations of neoclassical solutions (regulation) include neglecting equity and overlooking social/political complexities.
Some communities successfully address the Tragedy of the Commons through community management and social enforcement mechanisms.

Pollution Taxes

Pollution taxes (e.g., carbon taxes) are levied on environmentally harmful activities.
Figure 10.6 demonstrates the unpopularity of pollution taxes with both consumers and producers.
If pollution externalities increase with economic growth, pollution taxes become more critical (Figure 10.7).

Haiti vs. Dominican Republic

Haiti has experienced stagnation in GDP per capita due to political instability and environmental degradation.
The Dominican Republic has shown sustained economic growth, facilitated by better policies and institutions.

Global Development and Environmental Stances

Pro-Growth: Prioritizes rapid economic growth to alleviate poverty even if it results in higher greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that resources from growth enable later investment in sustainability.
Pro-Sustainability: Emphasizes immediate action to limit emissions through sustainable policies even if it slows economic growth, focusing on reducing climate change and global risks.

Factors influencing Differences between Countries

Historical legacies (colonialism, political instability) impact institutional development, affecting resource management and economic outcomes.
Policy choices and investments in education, infrastructure, and sustainable practices impact environmental and human development.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts of sustainability, including definitions, the Environmental Kuznets Curve, and the distinctions between private and public goods. Additionally, it delves into the issues surrounding common property resources and the Tragedy of the Commons. Test your understanding of these critical environmental economic principles.