Lecture 3 - Sustainability PDF
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SFU
Scott Peters
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Summary
This lecture covers various aspects of sustainability, including the interaction between humans and environmental systems. It explores theoretical frameworks like systems theory and examines case studies, highlighting the 4Cs approach (Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce) of the Long Run organization. The lecture also discusses the importance of social, economic and environmental considerations in sustainability.
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Lecture 3 - Humans, the Environment, and Sustainability Building on Rubenstein (2023) Ch. 1 section 1.12 – 1.13 Scott Peters House Keeping + Quiz 1 is live, due by 11:59pm tonight Answers will be releases Thursday morning SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH...
Lecture 3 - Humans, the Environment, and Sustainability Building on Rubenstein (2023) Ch. 1 section 1.12 – 1.13 Scott Peters House Keeping + Quiz 1 is live, due by 11:59pm tonight Answers will be releases Thursday morning SCIENCE, ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH SCIENCES CO-OP INFO SESSION ADD WORK EXPERIENCE TO YOUR DEGREE September 19, 2024 | 12:30 PM – 1:20 PM | ZOOM events.sfu.ca SCAN TO REGISTER Outline + What is a System? + Different types of earth systems + What is Sustainability + Case Study What is a System? + A set of things working together as part of a mechanism or an interconnecting network + A way for us to organize the world + Simple + Complex + Closed / Open + Inputs and Outputs Examples of Systems + Biological – Digestive, Neurological, Immune… + Societal – Family, Kinships, Cultural… + Political – Governments, Provincial, Judicial… + Economic – Banking, Currency, Trade… + Environmental – Hydrological, Ecological, Management… Systems Theory + Transdisciplinary + Boundaries + Context – Structure, Function and Role + Can be relational to other systems + More than the sum of its parts Ecological Systems Theory in Adolescent Residential Treatment Connolly (2024) Earth Systems + Abiotic and Biotic + 4 Interconnected systems Atmosphere Hydrosphere Lithosphere Biosphere Geographic Features Ecosystem + Interactions of biotic and abiotic systems + Ecology is the scientific study of ecosystems + Look at the relationships present in the image Biomes Large-scale ecosystems Ecosystems change gradually between the Equator and the Poles Images Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zwh9j6f/revision/6 Climate + Weather vs Climate + Climate is influenced by geography + Climate influences people Environmental Determinism → Possibilism Physical Social + Cultural Map Source: Hasler et al., (2015) Climate Change + Increase 1.5°C (2.8°F) during the past century + Increase in severe weather events and associated risks + Change in food supply + Increase in migration Sea Level Rise + Global average sea level has risen 8–9 inches (21–24 centimeters) since 1880 + Globally, 8 of the world’s 10 largest cities are near a coast + Two main causes: Ice Sheets are melting Ocean is expanding as water warms (Lindsey, 2023) Sea Level Rise and Vancouver + Eastern 1/3rd of False Creek was shallow tidal mud flats + By 1918 these were paved over for the railway terminal + Area continued to be paved and covered as development grew + Still remains a low basin https://www.shapeyourcity.ca/east-park/widgets/81236/photos/19560 Social- Ecological Systems Theory + Dualism + Based on the concept that humans are part of, not separate from, nature + Our practices influence the environment and the environment influences us Sustainability + “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland Commission, 1987) Environmental Sustainability + Avoiding Threshold events + Management of negative impacts and outputs + Maintain biodiversity + Coexisting with ecosystems Social Sustainability + Cultural Preservation + Gender Equality + Health + Justice and Equity Economic Sustainability + Creating economic systems that do not require growth + Transitioning away from fossil fuels + Eliminate poverty + Universal welfare https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/ The Sustainability Doughnut + Inner Ring = What people need for a decent life + If people don’t have these things, then they fall through the hole in the middle + Outer Ring = Ecological Boundaries Case Study of Applied Sustainability: TLR and Caiman, Pantanal + The Long Run (TLR) is a volunteer membership sustainability organization + Global Ecosphere Retreats + 4Cs Approach Conservation Community Culture Commerce How to Measure Sustainability? + Design a system + Figure out boundaries + Goal Driven + Designate Indicators Results + Conservation ↑ Biodiversity monitoring ↑ Preservation efforts + Community Focus on hiring and training local communities ↑ Gender equality in the workplace + Culture Created the Annual Caiman Lasso Festival Heritage experiences to guests + Commerce Ecotourism model since 1985 Traditional livestock farming Questions
