Sustainable Hospitality Operations Seminar 1 PDF

BHB1204 Sustainable Hospitality Operations Seminar 1: Part 1 The Rationale for Sustainable Development  Learning Outcomes Part 1 The Rationale for Sustainable Development To explore the ongoing challenges for the planet and inhabitants. To describe the cause a...

BHB1204 Sustainable Hospitality Operations Seminar 1: Part 1 The Rationale for Sustainable Development  Learning Outcomes Part 1 The Rationale for Sustainable Development To explore the ongoing challenges for the planet and inhabitants. To describe the cause and effects of climate change. To identify the reasons for the over-exploitation of minerals and oil. To recognize the significance of water depletion on societal instability. To discuss the consequences of over-population. To establish the linkages between the economy and carrying capacity. To interpret the limits of the current economic system. To describe the challenges linked to globalization. To explore the concept of sustainable economics. IN THE NEWS?  In the News https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article /sustainability-in-travel-a-call-to-action-for-2025/ Travel Industry Recovery and Growth: tourism and hospitality sectors have rebounded significantly in 2024 but face the critical challenge of embracing sustainability as a core focus for 2025 and beyond. World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards: Launched in 2024, these awards aim to celebrate and promote innovation and accountability in sustainable practices within the travel industry. Sustainability as a Benchmark: Sustainability needs to move beyond being a buzzword to becoming a measurable standard across all sectors of travel, including aviation, accommodation, and tour operations. Industry-Wide Collaboration: Achieving sustainable travel requires collaboration among governments, private enterprises, and non-profits, focusing on carbon- neutral travel, community-centered tourism, and eco-friendly infrastructure. Role of Travelers: Conscious consumer behavior, such as choosing sustainable travel options and engaging in low-impact tourism, is crucial for driving demand for a greener travel industry. Urgency for Tangible Actions: The industry must turn sustainability promises into actionable, systemic change to position itself as both an economic driver and a planetary steward in 2025.  EMERGING CHALLENGES FOR THE PLANET Class Question  Class Question Ancient Mesoamerican civilization Flourished in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador Thrived from 2000 BCE to 1500 CE Declined due to multiple factors, including environmental overuse and warfare Known for advanced achievements in mathematics, astronomy, and architecture Developed hieroglyphic writing system Created intricate calendar systems Built impressive city-states like Tikal and Chichen Itza  Class Question The downfall of the Maya is likely due to: Deforestation: The Maya engaged in extensive slash-and-burn agriculture, which led to deforestation. This practice, combined with the need for wood for construction and fuel, resulted in the depletion of forests and disrupted local ecosystems. Soil Erosion: The loss of forests contributed to soil erosion. Without tree cover to stabilize the soil, heavy rainfall washed away topsoil, reducing agricultural productivity. Water Management: The Maya built complex systems of reservoirs, canals, and irrigation systems to support their agriculture. However, mismanagement and overuse of these water resources partially contributed to water scarcity during droughts.  Class Question The downfall of the Maya is likely due to: Agricultural Intensification: The Maya practiced intensive agriculture, relying on crops like maize, beans, and squash. This led to soil nutrient depletion and reduced agricultural yields over time. Population Growth: The Maya population continued to grow, putting increasing pressure on the environment to provide for more people. This exacerbated the strain on resources. Sociopolitical Factors: Environmental stressors partially contributed to social and political instability within Maya city-states, making it difficult to coordinate responses to environmental challenges. Class Question  Ongoing Challenges for the Planet Humankind consumes what nature has to offer and in return we create waste and deplete the earth’s natural reserves. All our actions have an impact on the earth’s ecosystems that are only able to renew themselves at low levels of consumption.  Impact on the Planet For many thousands of years man’s impact on the environment was negligible and localized, however, at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution all this changed. Our current consumption levels are simply too high, and action needs to be taken as the planet’s non-renewable resources are being depleted, creating climate change in the process.  Class Question What is the Greenhouse Effect? Can you name some of the most impactful greenhouse gases?  Climate Change Proven by increasingly incontrovertible scientific evidence the climate has been changing as a consequence of human activity during the past 150 years. Within the troposphere (the lower part of the atmosphere about 10–15 kilometers deep), there are what is known as greenhouse gases. When sunlight reaches the earth, some of it is converted to heat. Greenhouse gases absorb some of the heat and trap it near the earth's surface, so that the earth is warmed up. The most important greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide (75%), CFCs (chlorofluorocarbon) (