Sustainable Development Overview

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Questions and Answers

What significant concern is associated with sustainable development?

Technological advancements without limits

Social implications of environmental changes (correct)

Natural resource depletion with no consequences

Exclusively economic growth

What does the term 'biodiversity' refer to in the context of sustainability?

The variety of plant and animal life in an ecosystem (correct)

The depletion of renewable resources only

The increase of technology in agriculture

The economic benefits of natural resources

Which of the following is a consequence of neglecting sustainable development?

Improved biodiversity in urban areas

Degradation of air and water resources (correct)

Enhanced quality of life for all populations

Increasing social equity across regions

What is the main theme of the history discussed?

Sustainable development initiatives Signup and view all the answers

How is sustainable development expected to influence population growth?

It seeks to balance resource use with population needs Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is likely NOT covered in discussions about sustainable development?

Immediate economic benefits Signup and view all the answers

What is a key resource that must be preserved for sustainable development?

Clean air and water Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is associated with sustainable development?

Balancing economic growth with environmental protection Signup and view all the answers

Which group is most likely to have an active role in sustainable development advocacy?

Governments implementing policies Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about sustainable development?

It's only an environmental issue Signup and view all the answers

What is the equivalent value of exajoules in joules?

10^18 J Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily required for capturing sun-driven energy?

Large areas of land Signup and view all the answers

Which unit measures energy consumption on a global scale?

exajoules Signup and view all the answers

What factor affects the availability of materials needed for energy?

Population growth Signup and view all the answers

What challenge is associated with sun-driven energy?

Difficulty in capturing distributed energy Signup and view all the answers

In energy consumption, which of the following best describes the relationship between resources and affluence?

More affluence results in increased resource extraction Signup and view all the answers

What is the metric unit commonly used for measuring energy consumption over time?

kWh/year Signup and view all the answers

What does the annual energy consumption figure represent?

Energy consumed by all sources globally Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant risk associated with the increased complexity of materials in modern products?

Increased dependency on fewer nations for critical materials Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of platinum supply is derived from South Africa?

72% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about platinum is correct?

Platinum has unique properties that make it an important catalyst. Signup and view all the answers

Which unit is equivalent to one kilowatt-hour (kWh)?

3.6 Megajoules Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary energy consumption required to generate one kilowatt-hour of electrical energy with a 36% efficiency?

10 MJ Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main sustainability issues directly linked to energy?

Complex material dependency Signup and view all the answers

In what form is electrical energy conventionally measured?

Kilowatt-hours Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of a supply chain concentration for critical materials?

It decreases market stability Signup and view all the answers

What defines materials as 'critical'?

Their access may be restricted, and they are essential for national security or economically important. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following has affected the supply chain of cobalt?

Political instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Signup and view all the answers

Why is understanding critical materials important?

Their scarcity could impact both economic stability and national security. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential origin of supply risk for critical materials?

Geopolitical conflicts or war. Signup and view all the answers

How does the classification of materials as critical differ across countries?

Different countries may have unique criteria and lists for critical materials. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of critical materials?

Their limited access can jeopardize national interests. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding critical materials?

They are crucial for both economic growth and technological advancement. Signup and view all the answers

What impact can a disruption in supply for critical materials have?

It can hinder national security and economic stability. Signup and view all the answers

What does the IPAT equation primarily express?

The impact of population, affluence, and technology on resources Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the IPAT equation, what happens if technology (T) decreases its resource intensity by 4.3% per year?

Impact (I) can remain static despite other changes Signup and view all the answers

What does a positive change in affluence (A) contribute to according to the IPAT model?

Slower population growth and different consumption patterns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a limitation of the IPAT equation?

It only gives qualitative insights that may overlook interactions Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by the formula $dI = \frac{dP}{P} + \frac{dA}{A} + \frac{dT}{T}$ in relation to impact?

Impact is a function of both technology and population Signup and view all the answers

How does rising affluence directly influence population growth according to the examples considered?

Affluence leads to better education and smaller family sizes Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the annual decrease of 4.3% in resource intensity by technology (T)?

It is necessary to counter increases from population and affluence Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the interdependence of the variables in the IPAT equation?

Changes in one variable can influence the others Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Lecture 2: Background: Materials, Energy, and Sustainability

The lecture covers materials, energy, and sustainability.
The content includes materials history, energy units and quantities, and critical materials.
Sustainable development is a complex system with environmental, social, and economic facets.

Eco-design and Sustainable Development

Eco-sustainability necessitates fuel efficiency and sustainability.
New requirements and driving forces influence eco-sustainability.
Safety and affordability are key aspects of eco-sustainability.

Sustainable Development (SD): A System of Problems

Sustainable Development is a system of problems.
It has multiple facets: environmental, social, and economic.

Sustainable Development: A Brief History

Technological development without considering environmental and social impacts creates undesired consequences.
Malthus (1798) linked population growth and resource depletion.
Club of Rome (1972): predicted natural limits to development by 2072.
The Brundtland Commission (1987): defined sustainability as meeting current needs without compromising future generations’ abilities to meet their own needs.

Materials - An Even Briefer History

Materials innovation has accelerated over time.
Since 1971, access to all 92 elements on the periodic table has become possible.
Industrial revolutions shifted reliance from renewable to non-renewable resources.

Critical Materials

Materials are considered "critical" if access is limited and they are essential for national security or economics.
Supply risks for critical materials have various origins.
Each country has its own list of critical raw materials (CRMs).

Energy: Units and Quantities

Energy sources include hydrocarbons, the sun, the moon, and nuclear decay.
Energy is measured in units: Joules (J), kilojoules (kJ), megajoules (MJ), gigajoules (GJ), and terajoules (TJ).
Electrical energy is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
The current global consumption rate for energy is approximately 590 EJ per year.

Resources, Consumption, Population, Affluence, and Impact

The IPAT equation (I=PxAxT) relates human impact to population, affluence, and technology.
Population, affluence, and technology are not independent factors.
The current consumption rate for goods and services is greater relative to 50 years ago.

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Description

Explore the key concepts and historical context of sustainable development, focusing on materials, energy, and the complexities of eco-design. This quiz will cover the interconnections between environmental, social, and economic facets to better understand sustainability's challenges and goals.