GESC290 environment-resources-human nexus.pptx

EnvironmentResourceHuman Nexus Human, nature & resource connection Are humans inside or outside of nature? Environmental determinism Anthropocene Definition Environment Consists of the physical and biological elements of the earth where living and non-living things exist, and are part of. Includes t...

EnvironmentResourceHuman Nexus Human, nature & resource connection Are humans inside or outside of nature? Environmental determinism Anthropocene Definition Environment Consists of the physical and biological elements of the earth where living and non-living things exist, and are part of. Includes the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere Resources Resources are the abiotic, biotic and cultural attributes on, in or above the Earth (Bruce Mitchell, 2002) Specific to forest, wildlife, oceans, soils, water bodies and minerals Cioruta, 2019 Common usages Natural environment Built environment Urban environment Rural environment Cultural environment Etc. Resources Erich Zimmermann 1933 “Resources are not, they become.” Neither the environment, or parts of it, are resources until human value/utility is placed on them i.e. until they are considered to be capable of satisfying human needs. Attributes of nature or the environment are “neutral stuff” until humans identify them, recognize their capacity to satisfy human wants/needs, and find ways to actually use them. Resource as subjective, relative and functional Critique Anthropocentric…human centred and direct utility to people Intrinsic value of aspects of nature deserving recognition as resources simply because they exist, their value maybe independent of utility to humans. Contemporary definition Resources much broader than in functional or utilitarian sense Resources are the abiotic, biotic and cultural attributes on, in or above the Earth (Bruce Mitchell, 2002) Resource Availability Resources availability and scarcity determined by such factors as: People’s worldview of nature Cultural factors Social Change such as the changing role of women Scarcity of natural resources e.g. oil Technology Economic factors – price, market, demand, supply Inexhaustible/Perpetual Resources (e.g. air, sunlight etc.) Classificat ion of Resources Renewable/flow resources (forest, fish, etc.) Stock/Nonrenewable resources (e.g. coal, diamonds, gold). Potential Resources, undiscovered/not fully known (sea bed) Planning & Management Planning: a strategy development or decision making process in advance involves a series of steps, to achieve desired outcomes, to resolve problems and to facilitate action. futuristic with a course of coordinated actions to realize the end goal Resource and environmental planning: identification of possible desirable future end states, and developing action plans to attain that end state Management: the capacity to control, handle, or direct (Mitchell 2002) Responsibility and authority to allocate capitals- financial, social, human, technical, technology- to achieve an end state Resource and environmental management “actual decisions and actions concerning policy and practice regarding how resources and the environment are appraised, protected, allocated, developed, used, rehabilitated, allocated, remediated and restored, monitored and evaluated” (Mitchell, 2002) Waves of Environmental Management Approaches 1. Conservationism inventory, protect and extend valuable places for present and future generations sustainability 2. Environmental activism Identify degraded environments Pressure governments and private sector to reduce damage Questioned unlimited growth and progress Institutional/Structural changes or creation e.g. policies, EPAs, etc. sustainability 3. Networks and solution-based & sustainability Repair and remediation of environmental degradation and pollution Climate change recognition and action International coalitions to pressure governments Localized action Solution oriented sustainability Alternate Approaches to understanding Natural & Socio-economic systems Disciplinary Multidisciplinary Cross-disciplinary Interdisciplinary Transdisciplinary Science-Based Management of resources and environment Focus the science on key issues, in a policy-relevant communication Use scientific information to clarify issues (potential management options, and consequences of decisions) Is the final decision consistent with scientific information (Evaluate) Ability to communicate key scientific findings to all participants in a simplified manner Must avoid tunnelvision such as advocating a particular solution Contemporary management issues Systems approach (ecosystem approach) Sustainability Resilience