Grade 12 Environmental Sustainability PDF

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY GRADE 12 THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT World Population 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00...

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY GRADE 12 THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT World Population 9.00 8.00 7.00 6.00 World income levels have increased 5.00 Increased incomes = increased demand across 4.00 the globe 3.00 This has given rise to the term globalization 2.00 BUT – 1.00 Earth has limited resources - 1951 1954 1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 2011 2014 2017 2020 2023 1920 = 1.9bn – 2020 = 7.8bn EARTH’S RESOURCES Resources Renewable Non-renewable Can be Cannot be replaced/replenished replaced/replenished e.g. minerals, e.g. solar power, fossil fuels, forests, biofuel metals POLLUTION POLLUTION The act of introducing toxic substances into the natural environment that damage ecosystems.  POLLUTION TYPES 4 types of pollution Air pollution Water pollution Land pollution Noise pollution Waste in soil Unwanted or Toxic substances in Toxic substances in changing excessive sound in the atmosphere bodies of water composition of the the environment soil e.g. plastics, e.g. plastics, e.g. traffic noise, e.g. diesel fumes, chemicals, chemicals, noise from building tobacco smoke household waste in pesticides in rivers sites landfills External costs Results in: Negative on society = Results in: effects on Results in: Hearing Results in: Asthma, Negative respiratory diseases Diarrhoea cholera, environment, animals loss, sleep deprivation, externalities typhoid, dysentery and human health anxiety, etc. EROSION EROSION - Process whereby soil and rock are removed from the earth’s surface through wind and water and deposited elsewhere Soil is a non-renewable resource – it cannot be replaced Removal has serious consequences for the environment Human behaviour causes of erosion: Poor farming Expansive farming Mining activities Mining exploration Housing developments DEFORESTATION Rate of deforestation (Mha) by region DEFORESTATION - Permanent destruction of trees and forests World population increases mean an increased demand for food and housing Forests also suffer as they are cut down for commercial gain 1.3m sq km of forest destroyed 1990 – 2016 (World Bank) Deforestation destroys biodiversity and natural habitats in addition to CO2 absorbing trees  CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE - Long-term change in normal weather patterns Impacts on normal temperatures and rainfall patterns Can be caused by nature (e.g. volcanoes) Main causes are man-made – the emission of greenhouse gases – CO2 and methane Burning fossil fuels (crude oil and coal) releases CO2 into the atmosphere CARBON FOOTPRINT - The total amount of carbon emissions caused by a person, organization or country GLOBAL WARMING Consequences of Global warming GLOBAL WARMING - The gradual and Higher temperatures continual increase in the earth’s average Intense heat waves temperature. Melting snow and ice Main cause is CO2 and pollutants trapped Rising sea levels inside the atmosphere causing the atmosphere to heat up and the planet to get Damaged coral reefs hotter More frequent droughts Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Desert expansion (IPCC) estimates that Earth’s surface More frequent wildfires temperature has increased by 1.04 degrees in the past 130 years. More intense storms Unpredictable weather patterns The land is increasing faster than the oceans with serious environmental consequences Changes in plant and animal life cycles GLOBAL WARMING IN FOCUS  BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION Various living species of flora and fauna in particular environments CONSERVATION - The sustainable use and PRESERVATION - The methods taken to management of natural resources to ensure ensure that non-renewable resources are not that they are available to future generations threatened to extinction Conservation methods include: Preservation aims to protect and maintain Botanical gardens, game parks and resources in their current condition museums Future generations benefit from preservation Conservation is a collective responsibility of biodiversity Education is a key component in conservation Government preserves resources by buying, Government introduces laws to properly confiscating or nationalising them manage renewable and non-renewable resources (e.g. quotas) CONSERVATION VS PRESERVATION Conservation Preservation The sustainable use and management of natural Methods taken to ensure that certain non-renewable resources to ensure they are available for future resources are not threatened to extinction generations Applied to promote the sustainability of natural Applied to prevent extinction of certain elements of resources, to ensure availability for future the environment generations Needed because of overexploitation of the Needed because of destructive human activities that environment may result in extinction e.g. Water usage e.g. Rhino preservation (single species preservation), Cape Fynbos Region (Heritage Area preservation) MEASURES TAKEN BY THE MARKET TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY The ability of the environment to survive its use of economic activity by ensuring that the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the needs of future generations We need to consider whether the environment is resilient to cope with the demands on it and We need to assess its adaptability ROLE OF MARKETS IN ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY Markets can be used to ensure sustainability because: The market does not take care of social costs and benefits The market fails because of specific reasons The mechanism of the market and social costs and benefits THE MARKET DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF SOCIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS: COSTS Private ◼ Private costs = internal cost incurred by costs business/consumer ◼ External costs = negative externalities Social incurred by the business/consumer costs ◼ Social cost = private cost + external cost ◼ Left to itself, the market does not require External businesses to pay for the external costs of costs production THE MARKET DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF SOCIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS: BENEFITS ◼ Private benefit = benefit of consumption derived by producer/consumer Private ◼ External benefit = value of positive benefit externalities for the producer/consumer ◼ Social benefit = private benefit + external Social benefit ◼ Consumers consider the private benefit and benefit ignore the external benefit ◼ The total social benefit is not internalised External benefit THE MARKET DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF SOCIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS The market fails in terms of environmental sustainability It delivers too many negative externalities (pollution, deforestation, erosion, climate change and global warming) Not enough positive externalities are provided (clean air and water, forests, sufficient topsoil and consistent weather patterns) The market ignores these externalities which means it fails Simple argument in terms of environmental sustainability: Market failure = negative externalities (e.g. pollution) > positive externalities (clean air)  GLOBAL COMMONS – Earth’s shared natural resources that are not owned by any particular MARKET FAILURE: SPECIFIC REASONS country. These are non-excludable because they can be used by any party irrespective of whether they can Market failure occurs because: or are wiling to pay to use it. Large parts of the environment are part of the global commons The environment is a They are non-excludable common resource As demand for resources increases, exploitation and abuse can occur The community at large absorbs negative externalities. Externalities The larger the externality, the lower the socially efficient level of output will be. Environment cannot be owned, no-one has authority or property rights over it. Environmental damage caused by ignorance of consumers (e.g. plastic bags) Lack of knowledge In 2004, SA introduced plastic bag levy to inform consumers of damage to environment – has resulted in environmentally friendly options! Consumers and businesses are aware of damage/harm caused by their actions Lack of consideration Still continue because the impact will only be felt by future generations MECHANISM OF THE MARKET AND SOCIAL COSTS AND BENEFITS Market failure = failure of forces of demand and supply to produce optimal result for sustaining the environment When market failure occurs: Market price does not reflect all the costs and benefits accruing from production activities Shortages or surplus in consumption or production occur GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY Levy taxes Property Pay subsidies rights Government Pay for use Intervention Issue permits Command & Education Control Voluntary agreements GRANT PROPERTY RIGHTS PROPERTY RIGHTS - laws that govern how individual parties can control, use, manage and benefit from the of resources from the State to the individual party Human nature to protect things that belong to us = the “conservationist effect” Government gives rights to ensure: proper protection of resources prevent extinction Property rights aim to: promote collective responsibility for the environment deter overexploitation PAY FOR USE OF THE ENVIRONMENT PAY FOR USE OF THE ENVIRONMENT – levies charged by government to consumers and producers for waste they produce and that needs to be disposed of This is the easiest way to impose environment charges E.g. Municipal charges for sewage disposal, garbage collection Optimum results when charges are proportional to usage (i.e. deemed fair by most consumers) LEVY ENVIRONMENTAL TAXES ENVIRONMENTAL TAXES – taxes levied on the consumption of goods that have a negative effect on the environment (green taxes) The purpose is to curtail the harmful practice – taxes should be a disincentive for negative effects on the environment The rate should equal the marginal external cost Practically, Government can use income from taxes to attend to environmental issues E.g. carbon taxes PAY ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDIES ENVIRONMENTAL SUBSIDIES – paid by government to businesses to reduce activities that inflict negative externalities on the environment Environmental subsidies are meant as an incentive 3 use cases: Encourage the production of environmentally friendly substitutes (e.g. rechargeable batteries, reusable straws) Encourage the recycling of waste products (e.g. glass, paper, cans) Develop new techniques or equipment (e.g. LED light bulbs) ISSUE MARKETABLE PERMITS MARKETABLE PERMITS – licenses sold by government to businesses giving certain quotas of pollution Government limits pollution in a certain area by selling permits to businesses Marketable permits allow businesses to pollute in an area to the limit in the permit Businesses can on-sell any portion of their permits not utilised Department of Minerals and Energy issues these permits COMMAND AND CONTROL (CAC) COMMAND AND CONTROL – regulations, set by Government, which enforce environmental limits or standards 3 approaches taken to CAC: Quantity approach: Limits the number/amount of an activity allowed (e.g. how many fish may be caught) Quality approach: Focuses on the environmental impact of the activity. (e.g. a minimum size of fish that may be caught to limit the damage done to a population). Social effect: Focuses on the effect that the externality will have on society (e.g. loss of livelihoods, impact on people) VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS – formal or informal arrangements between business and government to reduce pollution/ environmental damage Voluntary agreements often achieve greater compliance than laws Businesses believe that they have greater input into these agreements as these suit them better Voluntary agreements promote transparency and greater buy-in from business (i.e. less desire for avoidance) EDUCATION EDUCATION – methods used to create awareness and change people’s attitudes towards the environment Greater awareness (education) = better decision-making about future generations Children who are educated and conscious about their effect on the environment = adults who a more environmentally aware MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND INTERNATIONAL MEASURES TAKEN TO SOLVE THEM 1. Biodiversity loss 2. Chemical waste 3. Hazardous waste 4. Climate change 5. Loss of indigenous knowledge BIODIVERSITY LOSS BIODIVERSITY LOSS – the depletion of the variety of species and plants and animals in a particular area Biodiversity is concerned with: genetic variation among individuals within the same species Variety of species with a community of organisms Extinction is an irreversible process which is decreasing the diversity of species in the world Modern techniques like gene transplants can help limit the loss of species Monitoring and regulation of trade in endangered species using permits and quotas can limit biodiversity loss South Africa uses permits to import and export plants and animals ☞United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) prohibits trade in endangered plant and animal species CHEMICAL WASTE CHEMICAL WASTE – any solid, liquid or gaseous waste material that, if not properly managed or disposed of, will be hazardous to human health and the environment Chemical production results in chemical waste. Chemical waste is toxic and its effect on an organism can be infertility or death. Chemical waste must be carefully managed to ensure that it does not leak into the water supply. Correct application of most chemicals will not be toxic, incorrect application can be extremely dangerous ☞Stockholm Convention bans twelve (12) of the deadliest manufactured chemicals ☞Rotterdam Convention protects countries that lacks adequate infrastructure to monitor the import and export of dangerous chemicals HAZARDOUS WASTE HAZARDOUS WASTE – solid waste that poses a significant threat to people or the environment because it is toxic, flammable, corrosive and/or reactive Hazardous waste has a slow decomposition rate This waste endangers all life forms and entire ecosystems. The most hazardous waste is radioactive waste from nuclear plants. Hazardous waste is often illegally dumped because it is cheaper and more convenient. ☞ Basel Convention is an international agreement to manage nuclear waste. South Africa signed this convention. CLIMATE CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE – long-term changes in normal weather patterns A build-up of greenhouse gases causes heat from the sun to be trapped in the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gas is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which is released from burning fossil fuels and wood. At present, most of the CO2 produced cannot be absorbed by forests as a result of deforestation Increased greenhouse gases damage the ozone layer and cause global warming. Negative externalities arise from global warming – changes in weather patterns, heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires ☞ UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place in 1994 – main objective to reduce greenhouse gases ☞ The Kyoto Protocol signed in 1997 – aimed to limit production of greenhouse gases because earlier agreements failed ☞ Paris Agreement on Climate Change adopted in December 1995 - a binding treaty on climate change mitigation, adaptation and finance. Aims to limit global warming.  LOSS OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE – local people using organic methods and natural processes in interaction with the environment Indigenous people have vast knowledge of and respect for the natural environment because they use it as sustenance and to earn a living Unique knowledge is passed down from generation to generation Applying modern methods may be more effective in the short-term but not sustainable in the long-term Managing resources requires awareness of both indigenous knowledge and modern methods ☞ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s management of social transformation programmes is a global effort to document local/indigenous knowledge before it is lost forever ☞ Local capacity building – aimed at strengthening skills of communities to promote more active economic participation. ☞ UN Sustainable Development Goals 17 advocates for international support in local capacity building as part of the 2030 Agenda MAJOR INTERNATIONAL PROTOCOLS AND AGREEMENTS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS - TERMINOLOGY COP – Congress of the Parties = countries and territories represented at UNFCCC conventions Summit = meeting of heads of state or representatives Agreement = binding arrangement between 2 (bilateral) or more (multilateral) parties Treaty or convention = written agreement Protocol = first copy of a treaty or convention (e.g. Kyoto Protocol) A TIMELINE Earth Summit (UNCED), Conference of the Kyoto Protocol, Parties (COP1), COP3, Kyoto Rio de Janeiro Berlin 1995 Japan 1997 1992 Kyoto Protocol 2nd Rio+20 Summit. Johannesburg Commitment Rio de Janeiro, Summit (WSSD), COP17, Durban 2012 2002 South Africa 2011 Paris Agreement 1st Global COP21 Stocktake COP28 Paris 2015 Dubai 2023 UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) Rio de Janeiro 1992 Kyoto Protocol 1997 United Nations Conference on Environment and Agreed at COP3 in Kyoto, Japan Development (UNCED) The Rio Summit of 1992 is often called the Earth 3rd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP3) Summit 1992 Focussed on addressing issues regarding global 2 key documents were adopted: warming: Agenda 21: Setting greenhouse gas emission targets Socio-economic issues such as poverty relief and Plans for developed countries to reduce greenhouse promotion and health were addressed gas emissions by 5% before 2010 Conservation and management of resources – Wide agreement deforestation and improved management of water Adopted on 11 December 1997 resourced was emphasised Came into force on 16 February 2005 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development Signed by 192 with agreement to reach goals by Countries have the right to economic development 2011 but with a global responsibility to environmental Establishment of quotas protection and sustainable development Quotas were set for the largest polluters to achieve the goals NB! Kyoto Protocol was a firm and non-voluntary commitment UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) COP17 2011 Paris Agreement 2015 Kyoto Protocol 2nd Commitment Period Agreed at COP21 in Paris, France Durban, South Africa COP17 was important because of the following A legally binding agreement decisions: Came into force on 4 November 2016 2nd commitment period to the Kyoto Protocol Global warming targets effective from 1 January 2012 Overarching goal is to hold “the increase in the The establishment of a Green Climate Fund global average temperature to well below 2°C above Intention to raise $100bn annually to help: pre-industrial levels” 1. developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to emissions 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.” 2. Enhance the ability of developing countries to Implementation agreement respond to climate change 5-year measurement cycles The establishment of an Adaptation Committee Every country to submit national climate action plans Consisted of 16 countries Support for developing countries Was to report to COP18 on the how the poorest Finance from developed countries for mitigation of countries have been affected by climate change and climate change effects and adaptation How best to support poorest countries against losses Technology transfer to developing countries and damage caused by climate change Capacity-building allowing developing countries to meet their targets COP28 DUBAI 2023 Held in Dubai from 30 November to 13 December 2023 Largest of the COP meetings 85 000 delegates 150 heads of state in attendance First “global stocktake” under the Paris Agreement Revealed that progress on achieving the Paris Agreement goals was too slow across all areas Countries agreed to accelerate achievement of goals with target date of 2030 Includes a call on governments to speed up the transition away from fossil fuels to renewables such as wind and solar power. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMITS ▪ World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) 2002, Johannesburg ▪ United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), Rio de Janeiro - 2012 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMITS World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development Johannesburg - 2002 (UNCSD), Rio de Janeiro - 2012 The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Referred to as Rio+20 Summit because it took place Development was made at the summit. This 20 years after first UN Conference on Environment addresses: and Development Refocus on sustainable development Refocus on sustainable development Agreement that globalisation is leading to increased ▪ Agreed that one of the tools for sustainable inequality between developed and developing development is a green economy countries Socio-economic issues The divide between developed and developing Poverty eradication must take place without countries presents a major threat to global prosperity compromising the environment and stability Current issues A commitment was made for wealthy countries to assist less developed countries in fighting HIV/AIDS Socio-economic issues such as sanitation, poverty relief and greater food and water supply must continue to be addressed. African issues received greater attention. Millennium Development Goals (closed in 2015) Goal 1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases 7. Ensure environmental sustainability 8. Global partnership for development Millennium Development Goals vs Sustainable Development Goals In 2000, world leaders adopted the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) The aim was to achieve these by 2015 In 2015, these were reviewed and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted. The 2030 Agenda sets out the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are broader in scope than the MDGs. The SDGs reflect the view that development needs to be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. There are 17 SDGs focused on five elements: people, planet, peace, prosperity, and partnership. UN Sustainable Development Goals