Sustainable Development Overview

Sustainable development aims to meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It emphasizes balancing environmental, social, and economic aspects for a long-term, equitable, and thriving world.

The concept of sustainable development was first introduced in the 1980s. It gained prominence with the publication of the Brundtland Commission report in 1987, which defined sustainable development as meeting ‘the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’

Carrying capacity refers to the maximum population a given environment can sustainably support. It considers resource availability, environmental resilience, and the ability to absorb waste. Exceeding carrying capacity leads to environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Environmental degradation refers to the deterioration of the environment through pollution, resource depletion, habitat destruction, and climate change. It is a key challenge in achieving sustainable development as it undermines the Earth's ability to support life.

Resource depletion occurs when the rate of resource consumption exceeds the rate of renewal. It affects renewable resources like forests and fisheries, and non-renewable resources like fossil fuels. It highlights the need for sustainable resource management.

A theory about population growth and resource scarcity. It suggests that population growth outpaces the growth of resources, leading to poverty and conflict.

The period around the turn of the 21st century when discussions surrounding sustainability started gaining momentum.

The process of bringing about a change in the social, economic, and political systems to improve conditions for future generations.

Materials are classified as 'critical' if they are crucial for national security or economic well-being, while facing potential limitations in supply.

The supply risk of critical materials can arise from various sources, such as wars, natural disasters, or political instability.

A supply chain disruption occurs when the flow of goods or services is interrupted, often due to unexpected events. This can lead to shortages, price increases, and economic instability.

The cobalt supply chain faced disruptions due to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This highlighted the vulnerability of the supply of critical materials to political instability.

Each country has its own list of critical materials based on its specific security and economic needs. The identified materials vary depending on a country's industries, technology, and strategic priorities.

Critical materials are essential for national security and economic well-being. However, they are often vulnerable to supply chain disruptions due to political instability, natural disasters, or conflicts. Understanding these risks and developing strategies for mitigating them is crucial for ensuring a stable supply of these important materials.

Materials crucial for modern technologies and industries, often with limited availability or supply concentration.

A substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed, like Platinum (Pt).

The concentration of supply of a resource in one location, like the dominance of South Africa in Platinum production.

Unit of energy used in electrical systems, equal to 3.6 megajoules (MJ).

The ratio of useful output energy to total input energy, describing energy efficiency.

Energy derived from sources like fossil fuels, nuclear power, or renewable energy.

Joule (J), kilojoule (kJ), megajoule (MJ), gigajoule (GJ), terajoule (TJ)

The total amount of energy used by all humans globally in a year.

The amount of energy used by a country or region in a year.

The total amount of energy produced by the sun. It's a massive amount of energy, but it's scattered and difficult to capture.

Resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas that are finite and take a long time to form.

Resources like solar, wind, and hydro that can be replenished naturally.

The number of people living in a particular area, region, or globally.

The level of wealth and consumption in a society. It can influence the amount of energy used per person.

The IPAT equation is a formula that estimates the environmental impact of a population by multiplying population size, affluence, and technology. It helps to understand the factors contributing to environmental impact.

The IPAT equation demonstrates that the environmental impact does not necessarily increase linearly with population growth. It can be offset by improvements in technology, such as increased efficiency and resource conservation.

The IPAT equation highlights the importance of considering affluence, or consumption levels, in relation to environmental impact. High levels of consumption, often associated with wealthier societies, contribute significantly to environmental degradation.

The derivative of the IPAT equation demonstrates that to keep the overall environmental impact constant, a decrease in technical resource intensity is required to offset any increases in population size or affluence.

The IPAT equation is often used in a qualitative sense to understand the factors influencing environmental impact, but it's important to note that the variables in the equation are not independent. They interact in a complex way, with changes in one variable often affecting the others.

One significant example of how variables in the IPAT equation are interconnected is the observation that rising affluence often leads to slower population growth. This is due to factors like increased access to education, healthcare, and social security, which can lead to lower birth rates.

The IPAT equation serves as a valuable tool for assessing and understanding the complex relationship between human activity, consumption, and environmental impact. Its qualitative nature emphasizes the importance of considering the interconnectedness of factors that influence environmental sustainability.

The IPAT equation can be used to evaluate the potential impact of different scenarios, such as population growth, technological advancements, or changes in consumption patterns. It helps to identify areas where interventions and policies can be implemented to mitigate environmental impact.