Sustainability and Economics PDF

Sustainability ECONOMICS AND GLOBAL COMMONS SC/MG 115 Intro to Sustainability Sustainability, Economics and Global Commons How can we create a balanced future in which future generations can thrive while also sustaining a solid economy? What is the future we envision? What...

Sustainability ECONOMICS AND GLOBAL COMMONS SC/MG 115 Intro to Sustainability Sustainability, Economics and Global Commons How can we create a balanced future in which future generations can thrive while also sustaining a solid economy? What is the future we envision? What is a solid economy? The Global Commons We have to find ways to survive on this planet without destroying it. Commons- comes from the idea of viallage commons, used for grazing animals symbolizes we use the same space suggestion now, is...many in our society are depleting natural resources to the point that they are becoming unavailable or unaffordable to many in society. Need proper management to maintain them Economic Processes that put the Earth out of Balance  Social and Economic Theories Many theories related to the environment Many stem from capitalist or Marxist approaches Alternative approaches have been developed such as deep ecology and ecofeminism Neoclassical Economics Approach brings together notion a free market works best unregulated within context of supply and demand Believes market forces will eventually protect the environment and humans will make rational choices that will lead to improved situations Modern economic system in place throughout most of the world is neoliberalism promotes open trade, economic freedom (limited government regulation), privatization, and open markets Environmental critiques of Neoliberalism Consumerism Resource Distribution Inequality inequalities can lead to Rise of neoliberalism Demand for trade drives global, national, and seen associated rise in consumerism and local inequalities based consumer culture around resource exploitation on access to resources the world and access to markets. Demands for resources We are depleting many are increasing and important natural driving up price resources Crony Capitalism Debt Favors a few over national and the masses personal debt Wealth of the world Counties take on debt, managed by limited small nations have hard number of individuals time paying it off Can lead to oligarchial Can harm some activities by economies governments  Environmental Economics Largely focuses on pollution and resource depletion Try to understand how best to protect environment from challenges brought to society by economic activities causing the depletion or pollution Key elements- valuing the environment direct value- value derived from the resource indirect value- ecosystem services the environment provides option value- costs for protecting the environment now for later consumption existence value- value given to place for its overall intrinsic value Cost‐benefit analysis and its application in Environmental economics Benefits and disadvantages of a particular project are converted into real money values Comparisons made with alternative projects and with costs of not completing the project Costs and benefits calculated for the effects of the projects on users or participants in the projects as well as non‐users Must also calculate external costs and benefits Predictions are made of the projects outcomes over a specific time Once this is completed, decisions can be made as to the appropriateness of different options.  Environmental Ethics Ethical dimensions in play in any decision that impacts the environment Cost–benefit analysis and environmental impact assessments can only help make wise decisions for the environment within an economic context if society has an ethical value for the environment Environmental ethics codified within environmental rules and regulations. Laws help define collective environmental values at national, state, and local levels. Green Economics Focuses specifically on reducing the impact of the economic systems on the planet Promotes particular economic strategies to advance local, national, or international sustainability Name derived from idea there are particular economic activities better suited for long-term sustainability on the planet by providing goods and services that do not overly tax resources or damage ecological systems Green Party pillars ecological wisdom social justice grassroots democracy non-violence Non‐capitalistic economies Some believe capitalistic approached are inconsistent with ideas of long-term sustainability of the planet Believe demand for resources in profit-driven world will destroy the planet New Model eco-socialism suggests breakdown of environmental systems is caused by capitalist systems and associated imperial tendencies of capitalist governments. urge nationalization of industries and public ownership of land to protect resources Deep Ecology Philosophy, not economic system -has influence over economic ways of thinking about the environment Deep ecologists believe environment has intrinsic value to the world as a whole We cannot quantify value of pieces of the environment Rather, philosophy suggests looking deeper and seeing environment as a whole that needs respect Advocate for simplifying our lifestyles while living in harmony with the environment  Ecofeminism Rejects traditional Marxist, capitalist, or socialist approaches to the environment Assert the modern industrialized world is damaged from masculine impulses of domination, exploitation, collection Ecofeminists argue the current state of imbalance is projection of masculine values Thought being, returning to more feminine values of nurturing and cooperation is key to long-term planet success Suggest breakdown of structured binary views of the Earth will help create new, more holistic way of looking at the world to promote sustainability Destruction regardless of theory Humans cause environmental problems no matter what economic or theoretical system we live in All actions come at cost to the world Since Industrial Revolution we have seen widespread destruction accelerate Environmental economics: Externalities: things that are not accounted for in the true externalities price of a good or service Three ways to manage externality costs to try to limit their impact on the public: regulations limit things like pollution to lessen impact on the environment and cost to the public strong regulations manage external costs taxes taxing polluting products is effective means to discourage sales, while generating revenue to bear costs to clean up pollution property rights Governments can put into place rules for the types of activities that can take place within any location  Green Jobs Benefit of focusing on green economy is development of green jobs Green Jobs defined by UN as... work in agriculture, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserve or restore environmental quality jobs that help protect ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies, decarbonize the economy, minimize or avoid all forms of waste and pollution Clean job defined as... engaged in producing goods and services that benefit the environment Agriculture and natural resources conservation Education and compliance Energy and resource efficiency Greenhouse gas reduction environmental management, and recycling Renewable energy