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# TEMA 8 “LA ECONOMÍA Y EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE” ## What is economic activity? Economic activity is a set of tasks that we perform to meet our basic needs. We can distinguish three elements. - **Consumption**: acquiring a product or service to satisfy our needs. - **Production**: the work that i...

# TEMA 8 “LA ECONOMÍA Y EL DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE” ## What is economic activity? Economic activity is a set of tasks that we perform to meet our basic needs. We can distinguish three elements. - **Consumption**: acquiring a product or service to satisfy our needs. - **Production**: the work that is done to produce a product or offer a service. - **Distribution**: the work that ensures that products and services reach their destination. ## Sectors of Economic Activity These activities are grouped into three economic sectors: - **Primary sector**: activities which acquire products directly from nature. For example: agriculture, stockbreeding. - **Secondary sector**: activities which transform raw materials into finished products. For example: industry - **Tertiary sector**: activities which provide a service. For example: doctors, teachers. ## Economic Agents Economic activities are carried out by economic agents: - **The State:** creates laws, generates employment, collects taxes. - **Companies:** produce goods or services in exchange for profit. They need human resources, which are the workers, material resources, which are the raw materials, machinery, and finance. - **Individuals:** work for companies or the State in exchange for a salary (paycheck). ## Rights and Responsibilities of Workers The rights and obligations of working individuals are as follows: 1. Minimum age to work is 16 years old. 2. Maximum working hours per week is 40. 3. 30 days of vacation per year. 4. The salary (paycheck) should be the same for men and women who perform the same duties. Public services ensure equal opportunity for all and guarantee a basic minimum income for people without economic resources. # SUSTAINABLE CITIES Since the late 1960s, the population of cities has increased considerably, because these are where people find more job, education, and health care opportunities. This results in a high ecological footprint for cities, as they use a lot of resources, produce lots of waste, and emit a large amount of greenhouse gases. These have negative effects on the environment, including: - Using natural land for housing, thus deteriorating the soil, biodiversity, and increasing the risk of floods. - Disappearance of green spaces and an increase in roads and concrete, leading to increased temperatures in cities. - Traffic and lack of public transportation force the use of cars, which causes air pollution. ## Elements of a Sustainable City A sustainable city should include the following key elements: - **Technical**: information and communication technologies should be used to manage cities using traffic control systems, noise and pollution control, and more. - **Ecological**: use renewable energies, means of transportation, and buildings that promote energy and water conservation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. - **Social**: provide services which reduce inequality, promote coexistence, and integration in schools, healthcare centers, etc. - **Economic**: promote local commerce and circular economy. ## Distribution of Wealth Wealth is not distributed equally in the world. Some countries base their economy primarily on industry and services, and their populations have a high standard of living. These are called developed countries. In contrast, countries whose economies are based primarily on agriculture are less industrialized and their populations have a lower standard of living. These are developing countries. The Human Development Index (HDI) is used to measure the differences between countries. This index considers factors such as life expectancy, years of schooling, and average income. In Spain, despite having a high HDI, there are people whose income is below the poverty line, meaning they struggle to meet their basic needs. ## Types of Inequality - **Territorial:** Spain’s big cities house most industries, which means they have a higher level of economic development. However, rural areas suffer from higher unemployment rates, an aging population, and poorer access to public services. - **Economic and Social:** This mainly affects people who remain unemployed for a long time, immigrants, caretakers of sick relatives who don’t receive benefits, and seniors over 65 years old with minimum pensions. Governments address this situation with measures like taxes: money given to the State to finance public services. ## Workers’ Rights All workers have the right to join a union to defend their professional and economic interests. # EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES As industrialization advances, the exploitation of natural resources has increased. If we continue to use these resources at a rate higher than their regeneration rate, they could be depleted. This is why the concept of sustainable development emerged, as a way to progress without damaging the environment and ensure these resources are not exhausted. The United Nations adopted Agenda 2030 in September 2015. This program contains seventeen objectives to be met by 2030 and aims to combat climate change, poverty, and gender inequality. ## Green Economy The green economy advocates for economic development with environmental considerations, using natural resources responsibly, reducing waste, and using renewable energy sources. ## Ecological Footprint The ecological footprint measures the land area used to produce energy, resources, and absorb waste. According to current estimates, we will need the equivalent of three planets by 2050 to maintain the current rate of life. To maintain eco-friendly habits, we should: - Promote renewable energy. - Use public transportation, walking, and cycling. - Use the 4Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover - Use biodegradable products. ## Circular Economy A new way of producing and consuming is the circular economy, which extends the life cycle of products by transforming them into raw materials for other products. ## Responsible Consumption Responsible consumption refers to purchases that consider the environmental effects of our choices, favoring sustainable products and services. To promote responsible consumption, some actions include: - Shopping locally to reduce transport. - Choosing products that generate less waste. - Buying the right amount of food to reduce food waste. - Repairing products, or selling or donating things you no longer use.