Sustainability Models - Chapter 6 Quiz

Sustainability Concepts

• Traditional financial metrics expanded to include social and environmental impact
• Three pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, and Profit
• People (Social Impact): fair labor practices, community well-being, and social responsibility
• Planet (Environmental Impact): minimizing ecological footprints through sustainable practices and resource conservation
• Profit (Economic Impact): long-term profitability and economic sustainability
• Businesses can thrive while benefiting society and the environment

Key Concepts & Principles (Dresner 2002)

• Needs: Prioritizes the essential needs of the world's poor
• Limitations: Impacts imposed by technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs

Key Principles (Mulligan 2018)

• Acknowledge interconnections within the biosphere
• Recognize limits to growth
• Prioritize prevention over cure
• Improve intragenerational equity
• Address intergenerational equity
• Respect diversity in nature and culture
• Work towards relocalisation with global connectedness
• Shift from consumerism to quality-of-life goals
• Learn how to navigate uncertainty

Additional Concepts

• Carson's "Silent Spring" (1962): Explored negative impacts of inorganic pesticides (e.g., DDT) on various ecosystems and human health
• Ehrlich's "Population Bomb" (1968): warned of potential widespread starvation due to overpopulation
• Schumacher's "Small Is Beautiful" (1973): Critique of unlimited growth, emphasizing resource limits and human-centered economies
• Limits to Growth (1972): Hypothetical scenario emphasizing technological and social measures and reduction in material goods, and higher consumption of services to address environmental limits.
• Importance of Models: Models are simplified representations of reality, enabling the simplification of essential elements, measure, calculation and explanation.

Reasons for Prominence of Sustainability Models

• Clear and straightforward approach
• Widely recognized by policymakers, academia, and businesses
• Simplifies communication about sustainability
• Flexible application across various contexts and industries

Strong vs. Weak Sustainability

• Strong sustainability: Views natural resources as irreplaceable and emphasizes ecological integrity
• Weak sustainability: Permits substitution of natural resources with human-made capital if economic growth is prioritized

Digression: Culture

• Culture is the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes groups of people
• Distinguishing feature of cultural groups are examined in consideration of cultural causation, representation, and impact in relation to sustainability

Global Change

• Large-scale transformations affecting Earth's systems (environmental, economic, social, and political)
• Human activities are the most influential force (population growth, resource consumption, fossil fuels, land use, pollution)
• Includes recognition of the "Great Acceleration" and the "Anthropocene"

Weather vs Climate

• Weather represents short-term atmospheric conditions (changes within minutes or hours)
• Climate represents long-term weather patterns (average weather over many years)

Observed Impacts of Climate Change

• Impacts on water availability, food production, human health, settlements, and infrastructure
• Impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, including changes in species ranges and seasonal timing
• Various sectors are impacted (physical risks, transition risks)

Intra-generational Equity

• Fair access to resources, opportunities, and environmental benefits within the same generation
• Equitable distribution of resources and addressing current inequalities

Inter-generational Equity

• Ensuring the needs and rights of future generations are not compromised by current actions
• Preservation of resources and minimization of environmental harm for long-term sustainability

CSR and Stakeholder Theory

• Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a company's commitment to economic development while improving quality of life, for the workforce, families, and communities.
• Stakeholders are any group or individual whose interests are affected by the firm's objectives (owners, employees, customers, governments, suppliers, the environment, etc.). A long-term perspective is important in decision-making for equitable use of resources (renewable energy, sustainable forestry).
• Corporate governance, including education and healthcare programs, is important consideration. Climate action and carbon neutrality are key priorities.

Technology and Energy Systems

• Human civilization as a result of an 'energy binge'
• The crucial role of energy sources, and energy systems, and technologies including telematics, formal and informal standards, energy markets
• Analyzing current energy systems and considering the possibilities for change and sustainability

Fuel Poverty

• Lack of access to clean, affordable energy
• Systemic inequalities and barriers for obtaining modern energy sources
• SDG 7.1: Access to energy
• Understanding the 'energy ladder' as a way to understand energy use and availability for different socioeconomic levels

Test your understanding of sustainability models discussed in Chapter 6. This quiz covers key concepts, definitions, and the balance between economic, environmental, and social factors. Perfect for students studying environmental science or sustainability.