Sustainability Concepts and Challenges

A situation where economic activities damage the environment, leading to reduced environmental quality.

The concept that economic growth initially increases environmental degradation, but eventually leads to improvements as societies become richer and prioritize environmental protection.

The idea that we should meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The value of environmental assets, like forests, that contribute to a nation's overall wealth.

The poor often bear the brunt of environmental damage, even though they contribute less to the problem.

A situation where the cost of environmental damage, like pollution, is not reflected in the price of goods and services, leading to excessive environmental degradation.

A common situation in developing nations where population growth and urbanization strain water resources and infrastructure, leading to environmental damage and health risks.

The incorporation of environmental costs and benefits into economic calculations, allowing for a more comprehensive picture of economic activity's impact on the environment.

Effects of climate change are amplified in developing nations, leading to increased poverty, food insecurity, and health issues.

Actions aimed at reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions, such as using renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and planting trees.

Economic model that suggests the optimal allocation of resources occurs when market forces are free to operate without government intervention.

A situation where the benefits or costs of an action are not fully borne by the individual taking the action, but rather are spread to others.

Resources that are non-excludable (everyone can access them) and non-rivalrous (one person's use doesn't diminish another's use).

Resources that are non-excludable (no one can be prevented from using them) and rivalrous (one person's use diminishes another's use).

A set of conditions that are necessary for a perfect property rights system, such as the ability to exclude others from using the resource, the ability to transfer ownership, and the ability to enforce property rights.

Climate Change is an area where government intervention is crucial to address environmental issues that private markets alone cannot effectively manage.

The situation where individuals benefit from a public good without contributing to its provision, leading to under-provision of the good.

The process where the environmental costs of production or consumption are borne by third parties, often through pollution or resource depletion.

The ability of an ecosystem to absorb pollutants without experiencing negative impacts.

The ability of an ecosystem to maintain its biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.

The loss of forested land due to human activities like agriculture and logging.

A financial arrangement where a portion of a country's debt is forgiven in exchange for commitments to conservation and environmental protection.

The use of market-based instruments, like emission taxes and tradable permits, to reduce pollution.

Actions taken to prepare for the effects of climate change, such as building seawalls or developing early warning systems.

Technologies that are designed to minimize pollution and waste, and efficiently use resources.

The total value of goods and services produced within a country's borders.

The value of a country's GNI adjusted for depreciation of manufactured and environmental capital assets.

The depreciation of manufactured capital assets (machines, buildings) and environmental capital assets (forests, water resources).

Focusing on the relationship between development and its impact on the environment, considering both positive and negative feedback loops.

When the market fails to account for the full environmental costs of economic activities, leading to overconsumption and depletion of natural resources.

The poor often live in vulnerable areas with limited resources, making them more susceptible to environmental degradation and its impacts.

The poor may contribute to environmental degradation due to factors like high fertility rates, short time horizons, land tenure insecurity, and limited access to sustainable practices.

A situation where overuse of a shared resource by individuals leads to its depletion, because each user fails to account for the negative impact their actions have on others.

Strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon taxes, caps on emissions, and subsidies for green technology.

Strategies that help people and ecosystems adapt to the effects of climate change, such as building seawalls or developing drought-resistant crops.

The cost of pollution borne by someone other than the polluter, such as increased healthcare costs or damage to ecosystems.

The difficulty of internalizing environmental costs, meaning that polluters don't pay the full price for their actions, leading to over-pollution.

Policies aimed at improving environmental management in developing countries, such as proper resource pricing, community involvement, and clearer property rights.

Policies aimed at assisting developing countries in tackling environmental challenges, such as debt relief, transfer of green technologies, and development assistance.

The impact of Hurricane Matthew on Haiti was devastating, leading to widespread death and disease.

The Dominican Republic, located near Haiti, experienced significantly less damage from Hurricane Matthew.

The impact of the 2004 Hurricane Jeanne on the Dominican Republic was less severe compared to Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.

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

A good that is excludable, meaning individuals can be prevented from consuming it, and rivalrous, meaning one person's consumption prevents another from enjoying it. Examples include a bottle of water or a piece of fruit.

Resources that are shared by a community but are not owned by anyone individually, such as fisheries, grazing land, or forests. These resources can be overused or depleted due to lack of clear property rights and regulation.

A tax levied on polluting activities based on the amount of pollution generated. This tax aims to internalize the external cost of pollution, making polluters pay for the negative environmental impact they cause.

A policy aimed at correcting market failures by taxing pollution to encourage polluters to reduce their emissions. This can help to internalize the environmental cost of pollution and make polluters pay for the negative impact they create.

A situation where historical institutions or colonial legacies have contributed to an unfavorable environment for development. This can include weak governance, lack of investment in education and infrastructure, and reliance on unsustainable economic activities.

The process by which poverty and environmental degradation reinforce each other. Poverty can lead to unsustainable environmental practices, while environmental degradation can worsen poverty by reducing livelihood opportunities and increasing vulnerability to environmental shocks.

The economic growth model that prioritizes rapid economic growth even if it leads to increased environmental pollution. This model argues that economic development will eventually allow for environmental sustainability later on while focusing on increasing national income.

The economic growth model that emphasizes sustainable development while minimizing environmental impact to achieve long-term economic prosperity. This model prioritizes environmental protection and resource management, even if it means slower economic growth.

The ability of a nation to manage natural resources sustainably through careful planning and resource management. This includes policies and regulations that minimize the negative environmental impact of development.

The ability of a nation to adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, through investments in infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and sustainable policies.

The ability of a nation to withstand the effects of climate change and other shocks through strong institutions, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development practices.

Significant development assistance provided to countries that have experienced environmental degradation or disasters. This aid focuses on supporting long-term environmental and economic recovery, often involving capacity building, technology transfer, and sustainable practices.