ESS Subtopic 1.3 Sustainability

topic 1.3: sustainability

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Sustainability is central to environmental systems and societies, integrating economic viability, social equity, and environmental protection. This topic examines how human activities can sustain the planet's resources for future generations while supporting ongoing economic growth and maintaining community well-being

We will explore key concepts including environmental sustainability, which focuses on preserving ecosystem health; economic sustainability, which promotes long-term economic stability without depleting resources; and social sustainability, aimed at enhancing quality of life and social cohesion.

This unit will take a minimum of 8 hours

Guiding Questions

What is sustainability and how can it be measured?
To what extent are challenges of sustainable development also ones of environmental justice?

sustainability

1.3.1 Sustainability is a measure of the extent to which practices allow for the long-term viability of a system. It is generally used to refer to the responsible maintenance of socio-ecological systems such that there is no diminishment of conditions for future generations.

Define sustainability

image from pork.org

Sustainability is fundamentally about maintaining and enhancing the health and viability of socio-ecological systems over the long term. It involves practices that do not deplete resources or harm ecological and social systems, thereby ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities and resources available as the current generation.

Importance of Sustainability

Preservation of Resources: Sustainability is crucial for ensuring that natural resources—such as water, air, and fertile soil—are preserved and regenerated to support future needs.
Stable and Healthy Societies: Sustainable practices foster societies that are resilient, where social systems support all members, and where conflicts over diminishing resources are minimized.
Economic Resilience: By promoting sustainable economic practices, societies can create industries and jobs that do not harm the environment, thereby ensuring long-term economic resilience and stability.

Key Dimensions of Sustainability

Environmental Sustainability:

Natural Capital and Natural Income: Environmental sustainability is intimately linked to the concepts of natural capital and natural income. Natural capital refers to the Earth's stocks of natural resources, such as forests, oceans, and minerals, which provide a flow of valuable ecosystem services. Natural income represents the renewable flow of benefits obtained from these resources, such as clean air, water, and fertile soil.
Promoting Ecological Land Use: Encouraging ecological land use practices is essential for maintaining habitat quality and connectivity for all species. This involves preserving and restoring ecosystems, protecting biodiversity hotspots, and promoting sustainable land management techniques that enhance ecosystem resilience.

Economic Sustainability:

Sustainable Material Cycles: Economic sustainability is closely intertwined with the sustainable management of material cycles, such as the carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles. Preventing the contamination of living systems by managing these cycles responsibly is vital for maintaining ecological integrity and safeguarding human health.
Balancing Economic Activities: Balancing economic activities with ecological limits and social needs is essential for long-term economic sustainability. This involves promoting green technologies, supporting circular economy principles, and fostering economic diversification that reduces dependence on finite resources.

Social Sustainability:

Social sustainability pertains to maintaining and improving social equity, quality of life, and justice. It ensures that the benefits of sustainable development are shared equitably, that human rights are upheld, and that opportunities for betterment are available to all, including marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Sustainability can be encouraged by:

ecological land-use to maintain habitat quality and connectivity for all species.
sustainable material cycles, (ex carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles).
social systems that contribute to a culture of sufficiency that eases the consumption pressures on natural capital.

Examples of Sustainable Practices

Renewable Energy Use: Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar and wind to minimize carbon footprints and combat climate change.
Sustainable Agriculture: Techniques such as crop rotation, permaculture, organic farming, and integrated pest management that enhance soil fertility and food security without harmful chemicals.
Water Conservation Efforts: Implementing technologies and strategies for efficient water use and protecting water resources through policies that prevent pollution and overuse.

International summits on sustainable development have highlighted the issues involved in economic development across the globe, yet the viewpoints of environmentalists and economists may be very different.

1.3.2 Sustainability is comprised of environmental, social and economic pillars.

Outline the three sustainability pillars

https://www.redalpi.com/web/sustainability/

Sustainability is a multifaceted concept, often described as resting on three interdependent pillars: environmental, social, and economic. These pillars are essential for understanding how to maintain the health and viability of our planet and its inhabitants. Educating on these pillars helps to highlight the integrated approach needed to achieve sustainable outcomes.

Environmental Sustainability:

Definition: Environmental sustainability involves managing natural resources to prevent degradation and depletion, ensuring that the natural environment can continue to support life and provide resources for the future.
Key Practices: This includes initiatives like conservation of ecosystems, biodiversity protection, renewable energy usage, and sustainable waste management.

Social Sustainability:

Definition: Social sustainability focuses on maintaining and improving social equity, quality of life, and justice. It aims to create inclusive, equitable, and healthy communities.
Key Practices: Effective measures include ensuring universal access to basic services like healthcare and education, upholding human rights, and fostering communities that support diversity and inclusion.

Economic Sustainability:

Definition: Economic sustainability seeks to ensure that economic growth does not degrade social and environmental health but supports long-term human well-being and ecological balance.
Key Practices: This involves promoting industries that do not harm the environment, ensuring that jobs are created in sustainable sectors, and fostering economies that are resilient to shocks and stresses.

Interactions Among the Pillars

The interaction between these pillars can be visualized through diagrams that illustrate different sustainability models:

https://www.researchgate.net

Weak Sustainability Model: In contrast, this model depicts the three pillars as merely overlapping. While it acknowledges interconnections, it suggests that losses in one area can be compensated by gains in another, often leading to practices that may not fully preserve the environment or social equity.

https://www.researchgate.net

Strong Sustainability Model: This model presents the economy as embedded within society, and both the economy and society as embedded within the environment. It emphasizes that long-term economic and social health is dependent on the health of the environment, recognizing that natural resources are finite and must be preserved as the foundation upon which all human activities depend.

Diagrams as Educational Tools

Diagrams used to represent these models help students visually understand the dependency of economic and social activities on a healthy environment. They also show that true sustainability requires more than just balance; it requires an integration where each pillar supports and sustains the others.

1.3.3 Environmental sustainability is the use and management of natural resources that allows replacement of the resources, and recovery and regeneration of ecosystems.

Explain the concept of environmental sustainability and its importance in resource management.
Suggest one example of a global perspective and one example of a local perspective. Which one is more sustainable?
Discuss the role of active ecosystem regeneration in promoting environmental sustainability. Provide examples to illustrate your answer.
Identify a local ecosystem that could benefit from regeneration efforts. What actions could help restore it?
Evaluate the effectiveness of current conservation strategies in achieving environmental sustainability goals.
To what extent can environmental sustainability be achieved through the preservation of biodiversity?

Environmental sustainability is a cornerstone of sustainable development, emphasizing the responsible use and management of natural resources to ensure their long-term availability for future generations. It encompasses practices that allow for the replenishment of resources, the restoration and regeneration of ecosystems, and the preservation of biodiversity.

Key Components of Environmental Sustainability

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Resource Management:

Environmental sustainability entails prudent management of natural resources, both renewable and nonrenewable, to prevent their depletion and ensure their renewal.
Examples: sustainable forestry practices involve selective logging and reforestation to maintain healthy forest ecosystems while providing timber for human use. Similarly, sustainable fisheries management includes measures such as catch limits, marine protected areas, and habitat restoration to prevent overfishing and maintain fish populations.

Pollution Control:

Another crucial aspect of environmental sustainability is the mitigation of pollution.Pollutants come in various forms, such as:
• organic or inorganic substances, such as pesticides and plastics
• light, sound or heat energy
• combustion of fossil fuel
Efforts to reduce air and water pollution include implementing cleaner technologies in industries, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and improving wastewater treatment systems.

Controlling and managing pollution is vital due to its widespread and challenging-to-measure costs. These encompass fatalities, deteriorating health conditions, dwindling water reservoirs, compromised soil fertility, and deteriorating air quality

Examples: the installation of scrubbers in power plants helps reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, a major air pollutant, while wetland restoration projects can filter and purify contaminated water before it enters rivers and streams.

https://www.epa.gov/enviroatlas/enviroatlas-benefit-category-biodiversity-conservation

Conservation of Biodiversity:

Biodiversity conservation is central to environmental sustainability. Protecting and restoring habitats, conserving endangered species, and promoting ecosystem resilience are critical for maintaining the intricate web of life on Earth and preserving ecosystem services.
Examples: establishing national parks and wildlife reserves, implementing habitat restoration projects, and reintroducing endangered species into their native habitats.

Active Ecosystem Regeneration:

In addition to conservation efforts, active regeneration of ecosystems is increasingly recognized as a vital component of environmental sustainability.
Examples: reforestation initiatives in deforested areas help restore forest ecosystems and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating climate change. Similarly, the restoration of wetlands and riparian zones can improve water quality, reduce flooding, and enhance biodiversity.

Considerations for Timescales:

It's important to acknowledge that the replacement of natural resources occurs over different timescales. While some resources may replenish relatively quickly, others may require decades or even centuries to recover fully. Understanding these timescales is crucial for implementing effective sustainability strategies and ensuring the continued health of ecosystems.

Short-term Renewable Resources

Annual Crops (e.g., wheat, corn): Planted and harvested within a single year or growing season. These are dependent on soil fertility, water availability, and agricultural practices.

Medium-term Renewable Resources

Recharges of groundwater through the infiltration of surface water but at a slower rate than surface water, taking years to decades to replenish. Over Extraction can lead to depletion faster than natural recharge rates.

Long-term Renewable Resources

Some fish populations can take decades to recover from overfishing, depending on the species, fishing practices, and ecosystem conditions. Sustainable fishing practices and effective management policies are vital for their recovery.

Case Study: Sustainable Agriculture in the Netherlands

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The Netherlands is one of the world's largest agricultural exporters, despite its small geographical size. This success is largely due to its innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture, which include high-tech farming techniques, precision agriculture, and a strong emphasis on reducing environmental impact while maximizing output.

Key Points:

Precision Farming: Dutch farmers use advanced technologies such as GPS and IoT sensors to monitor crop conditions, optimize water usage, and minimize fertilizer and pesticide applications. This precision farming helps in maintaining soil health and reduces the ecological footprint of farming activities.
Greenhouses: The Netherlands is famous for its extensive use of greenhouses, which allow for year-round food production under controlled conditions. These greenhouses are highly efficient in terms of water and energy usage, often using closed water systems and geothermal energy.
Vertical Farming and Aquaponics: Some Dutch farms have adopted vertical farming and aquaponics systems, which are soil-less farming techniques that stack crops in layers and integrate fish farming, respectively. These systems are designed to use minimal space and resources while providing high yields.
Circular Economy Principles: Waste products from one process are used as inputs in another, creating a zero-waste cycle. For example, CO2 produced by industry is used to promote plant growth in greenhouses, while animal manure is converted into bioenergy and fertilizers.

Discussion Points:

Assess how the adoption of high-tech solutions in agriculture can contribute to environmental sustainability.
Explore the potential scalability of Dutch farming innovations in other parts of the world.
Discuss the social and economic impacts of these agricultural practices on local and global scales.

1.3.4 Social sustainability focuses on creating the structures and systems, such as health, education, equity, community, that support human well-being.

Discuss the concept of social sustainability and its significance in promoting well-being and equity within communities.
Outline the role of gender equality and women's empowerment in promoting social sustainability.
State how education equity contribute to the resilience and cohesion of communities
Discuss the importance of preserving cultural diversity and heritage in promoting social sustainability.

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Social sustainability focuses on creating inclusive and equitable structures and systems that support the well-being of individuals and communities. It emphasizes fostering healthy societies where all members have access to essential services, such as healthcare and education, and where social justice and cultural diversity are valued.

Key Components:

Healthcare Access: Ensuring universal access to healthcare services is essential for promoting social sustainability. This involves providing affordable and quality healthcare to all members of society, regardless of their socio-economic status or background.
Education Equity: Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for social empowerment. Promoting education equity involves eliminating barriers to education access and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential through quality education.
Equity and Inclusion: Social sustainability requires addressing systemic inequalities and promoting inclusion across all sectors of society. This includes combating discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, and creating opportunities for marginalized groups to participate fully in social, economic, and political life.
Community Well-being: Building strong and resilient communities is essential for social sustainability. This involves fostering social cohesion, promoting community engagement, and investing in social infrastructure that enhances the quality of life for all residents.
Cultural Preservation: Social sustainability also encompasses the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity and heritage within societies. This includes recognizing and respecting the cultural rights of indigenous peoples and minority groups, as well as safeguarding traditional knowledge, languages, and spiritual practices.

Challenges and Considerations:

Addressing Inequities: Efforts to promote social sustainability must address systemic inequalities and disparities in access to resources and opportunities. This includes initiatives to reduce poverty, improve healthcare access, and advance education equity.
Promoting Social Justice: Social justice and human rights are integral to achieving social sustainability. Advocating for policies and initiatives that uphold the rights and dignity of all individuals, particularly those from marginalized and vulnerable groups, is essential.
Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting and preserving cultural diversity is essential for social sustainability. Engaging with communities in a culturally sensitive manner and recognizing the importance of indigenous knowledge and practices are key considerations in sustainable development efforts.

Examples

Universal Healthcare (e.g., Norway, Canada): Systems that ensure healthcare access for all citizens, contributing to overall societal health and equity.
Community-led Urban Green Spaces (e.g., community gardens in urban neighborhoods, USA): Spaces that provide recreational areas, promote community engagement, and improve local biodiversity.
Indigenous Rights and Land Management (e.g., Indigenous Protected Areas in Australia): Recognizing Indigenous peoples' rights and integrating traditional knowledge in environmental conservation and land management.
Affordable Housing Initiatives (e.g., Vienna, Austria): Policies and developments that ensure a range of affordable housing options, supporting social diversity and inclusion.

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Case Study: Community-Led Sustainable Development Project in Rural India

Overview:
In a rural village in India, a community-led sustainable development project was initiated to address social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by the local population. The project aimed to improve livelihoods, promote social inclusion, and enhance environmental sustainability through participatory approaches and community empowerment.

Key Components:

Livelihood Diversification: The project focused on diversifying livelihood opportunities for the villagers beyond traditional agriculture. This included promoting small-scale enterprises such as handicrafts production, eco-tourism initiatives, and sustainable agriculture practices to enhance income generation and reduce dependency on a single source of livelihood.
Women's Empowerment: Recognizing the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment, the project implemented initiatives to enhance the economic and social status of women in the community. This involved providing training and support for women to participate in income-generating activities, access education and healthcare services, and participate in decision-making processes at the local level.
Education and Healthcare: Improving access to quality education and healthcare services was a key priority of the project. Infrastructure improvements were made to schools and healthcare facilities, and awareness campaigns were conducted to promote health and hygiene practices. Additionally, scholarships and incentives were provided to encourage children, especially girls, to attend school regularly.
Social Cohesion and Cultural Preservation: The project emphasized the importance of social cohesion and cultural preservation in building resilient communities. Cultural events and festivals were organized to celebrate local traditions and heritage, fostering a sense of pride and identity among community members. Additionally, efforts were made to strengthen community bonds through collective decision-making processes and mutual support networks.

Outcomes:

Improved Livelihoods: The implementation of sustainable livelihood initiatives led to increased household incomes and improved economic resilience among community members. Diversification of income sources reduced vulnerability to external shocks, such as crop failures or market fluctuations.
Enhanced Social Inclusion: Women's participation in economic activities and decision-making processes increased, leading to greater gender equality and social inclusion. Education and healthcare interventions improved overall well-being and quality of life for community members, particularly women and children.
Environmental Sustainability: Adoption of sustainable agriculture practices, natural resource management techniques, and eco-friendly technologies contributed to environmental conservation and resilience. The project promoted sustainable use of resources and minimized negative environmental impacts, ensuring the long-term viability of livelihoods and ecosystems.

1.3.5 Economic sustainability focuses on creating the economic structures and systems to support production and consumption of goods and services that will support human needs into the future.

Economic sustainability is a vital component of sustainable development, emphasizing the creation of economic structures and systems that support the production and consumption of goods and services while ensuring the well-being of current and future generations. It encompasses strategies and policies aimed at fostering long-term prosperity, resilience, and equitable distribution of resources within societies.

A sustainable economy meets its population's basic needs

Food
Clothing
Shelter

Key Components:

Resource Management: Economic sustainability requires responsible management of natural resources to meet human needs without compromising the integrity of ecosystems. This involves adopting sustainable practices such as resource conservation, waste reduction, and renewable energy adoption to minimize environmental impacts and promote environmental sustainability.
Equitable Development: Promoting economic sustainability involves fostering inclusive and equitable economic growth that benefits all segments of society. This includes addressing disparities in income, wealth, and access to opportunities through policies that promote social mobility, reduce poverty, and enhance economic resilience among vulnerable populations.
Innovation and Technology: Embracing innovation and technology is essential for driving economic sustainability in a rapidly changing world. Investments in research and development, technological advancements, and digitalization can enhance productivity, foster economic diversification, and create new opportunities for sustainable growth and development.
Circular Economy: Transitioning to a circular economy model is central to achieving economic sustainability. This involves shifting from a linear "take-make-dispose" approach to resource use to a closed-loop system that emphasizes resource efficiency, product longevity, and waste reduction. Circular economy principles promote sustainable consumption and production patterns that minimize environmental impacts and maximize resource efficiency.

Challenges and Considerations:

Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Protection: Achieving economic sustainability requires striking a delicate balance between promoting economic growth and safeguarding environmental integrity. This involves adopting policies and strategies that prioritize sustainable development goals while minimizing negative externalities and ecological footprints.
Ensuring Social Equity: Economic sustainability efforts must prioritize social equity and inclusion to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably among all members of society. This includes addressing systemic inequalities, promoting fair labor practices, and enhancing access to economic opportunities for marginalized communities.
Resilience to Global Challenges: Building economic resilience is essential for navigating global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and pandemics. Strategies for economic sustainability should focus on enhancing adaptive capacity, diversifying economic activities, and building robust systems capable of withstanding shocks and disruptions.

Case Study: Transitioning to a Circular Economy in Amsterdam

Background:
Amsterdam, known for its progressive policies and innovative urban planning, has embarked on a journey to transition to a circular economy—a system aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. The city faces challenges such as population growth, urbanization, and environmental degradation, prompting a reevaluation of traditional economic models to ensure long-term sustainability.

Key Initiatives:

Circular Procurement: The Amsterdam Metropolitan Area is implementing circular procurement practices across various sectors, including construction, healthcare, and public services. By prioritizing products and services with minimal environmental impact and maximum durability, the city aims to create a closed-loop system where materials are reused, recycled, or repurposed.
Circular Business Innovation: Amsterdam fosters a thriving ecosystem of circular startups and enterprises through financial incentives, incubators, and collaboration platforms. Companies like Fairphone, known for its modular smartphones designed for longevity and repairability, exemplify Amsterdam's commitment to fostering innovation that aligns with circular principles.
Waste Management and Recycling: The city has implemented ambitious waste management strategies to divert materials from landfills and incineration plants. Initiatives include expanding recycling infrastructure, promoting composting and organic waste collection, and incentivizing residents and businesses to reduce waste generation through awareness campaigns and behavioral nudges.

Impact and Outcomes:

Resource Efficiency: Amsterdam's transition to a circular economy has led to significant improvements in resource efficiency, with reduced material consumption, waste generation, and carbon emissions. By closing resource loops and promoting sustainable consumption patterns, the city aims to minimize its ecological footprint while fostering economic prosperity.
Job Creation and Economic Growth: The circular economy offers opportunities for job creation and economic growth, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and waste management. Amsterdam's circular initiatives have attracted investment, talent, and innovation, positioning the city as a global leader in sustainable urban development.
Community Engagement: Engaging citizens and stakeholders is essential for the success of circular initiatives. Amsterdam prioritizes community participation through public consultations, education campaigns, and collaborative decision-making processes, ensuring that the transition to a circular economy is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to diverse needs and perspectives.

Challenges and Future Directions:

While Amsterdam has made significant strides in advancing the circular economy agenda, challenges remain, including regulatory barriers, market inertia, and cultural shifts. Moving forward, the city aims to address these challenges through policy innovation, stakeholder engagement, and international collaboration, leveraging its position as a hub for sustainable innovation and urban experimentation.

1.3.6 Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development applies the concept of sustainability to our social and economic development.

Define sustainable development
Discuss the key principles and goals of sustainable development as articulated in the Brundtland Report of 1987
Examine the interconnections between environmental, social, and economic sustainability within the framework of sustainable development

Sustainable development is a fundamental principle that guides the responsible management of resources and the pursuit of human well-being while safeguarding the needs of future generations. Rooted in the concept of sustainability, it addresses the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic systems, seeking to balance progress with preservation for a more equitable and resilient future.

Key Principles:

Balancing Present Needs and Future Generations: Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This principle underscores the importance of long-term planning and stewardship to ensure the sustainability of natural resources and social systems for generations to come.
Integration of Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability: Sustainable development integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations into decision-making processes, recognizing the interdependence of these systems. Strong sustainability models depict the economy embedded within society, and both society and the economy embedded within the natural environment, highlighting the interconnectedness of human activities and ecosystems.
Framework for Human Civilization: Sustainable development provides a framework for advancing human civilization while maintaining economic stability, social equity, and ecological integrity. It promotes holistic approaches to development that prioritize environmental conservation, social inclusion, and economic prosperity, fostering resilience and well-being for all.

Historical Context:

The concept of sustainable development gained prominence with the release of the Brundtland Report in 1987, also known as "Our Common Future." Commissioned by the United Nations, the report introduced the social and economic dimensions of sustainability to the discourse on sustainable development, emphasizing the need for collective action to address global challenges while ensuring a sustainable future for humanity.

Case Study: Costa Rica's Sustainable Tourism Model

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Background:

Costa Rica, known for its rich biodiversity and stunning natural landscapes, has emerged as a global leader in sustainable tourism—a model that prioritizes environmental conservation, community engagement, and economic prosperity. The country's commitment to sustainable development has transformed its tourism industry, offering valuable lessons for other destinations seeking to balance tourism growth with environmental protection and social well-being.

Key Initiatives:

Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation: Costa Rica has established a network of national parks, reserves, and protected areas, covering over 25% of its land area. These protected areas serve as havens for diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, cloud forests, marine habitats, and wildlife corridors, contributing to the country's reputation as a biodiversity hotspot.
Community-Based Tourism: Community-based tourism initiatives empower local communities to participate in and benefit from tourism activities while preserving their cultural heritage and natural resources. Initiatives such as homestay, indigenous-led tours, and artisan workshops offer authentic experiences for visitors while generating income and employment opportunities for rural communities.
Ecotourism Certification and Sustainability Standards: Costa Rica has implemented ecotourism certification programs and sustainability standards to promote responsible tourism practices among businesses and tour operators. Certification schemes such as the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) assess the environmental, social, and economic performance of tourism operations, encouraging adherence to sustainable principles and continuous improvement.

Impact and Outcomes:

Conservation Success: Costa Rica's sustainable tourism model has contributed to the conservation of its natural resources and biodiversity, preserving iconic species such as jaguars, sea turtles, and scarlet macaws. Protected areas serve as living laboratories for research, education, and eco-tourism, fostering appreciation for nature and wildlife conservation.
Community Empowerment: Community-based tourism initiatives have empowered local communities to become stewards of their natural and cultural heritage, fostering pride, resilience, and self-determination. Income generated from tourism activities supports community development projects, infrastructure improvements, and social welfare programs, enhancing livelihoods and well-being.
Economic Resilience: Sustainable tourism has emerged as a key driver of economic growth and diversification in Costa Rica, generating revenue, employment, and investment opportunities across the country. The tourism sector contributes significantly to GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and rural development, fueling entrepreneurship, innovation, and socio-economic mobility.

Challenges and Future Directions: While Costa Rica's sustainable tourism model has achieved notable success, challenges remain, including the need for ongoing conservation efforts, infrastructure development, and capacity building. Balancing tourism growth with environmental protection and community well-being requires continuous collaboration, innovation, and adaptive management strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry.

1.3.7 Unsustainable use of natural resources can lead to ecosystem collapse.

Discuss the implications of ecosystem collapse for biodiversity and human societies
To what extent do human activities contribute to ecosystem collapse?

Ecosystem collapse occurs when the delicate balance of an ecosystem is disrupted, leading to a rapid decline in its health and functionality. This phenomenon is often the result of human activities that exploit natural resources in an unsustainable manner, pushing ecosystems beyond their limits and causing irreparable damage. Here are some examples:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/water/manage-groundwater-overexploitation/

Excessive Water Extraction from Aquifers:

Many regions rely on groundwater from aquifers for drinking water, agriculture, and industry. However, excessive pumping of groundwater, often for irrigation purposes, can deplete aquifers faster than they can recharge, leading to groundwater depletion and ecosystem collapse. This can result in the drying up of wetlands, loss of freshwater habitats, and subsidence of land, posing serious threats to biodiversity and human communities that depend on groundwater resources.

Deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest:

The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the "lungs of the Earth," plays a crucial role in regulating the global climate and supporting biodiversity. However, rampant deforestation driven by logging, agriculture, and infrastructure development has led to widespread ecosystem collapse in many parts of the Amazon. Loss of habitat, disruption of water cycles, and soil degradation are just some of the consequences of deforestation, contributing to the decline of species and the destabilization of local and regional ecosystems.

Conversion of Wetlands and Coastal Habitats:

Wetlands and coastal habitats, such as mangrove forests and salt marshes, provide valuable ecosystem services, including flood protection, water filtration, and carbon sequestration. However, these habitats are often drained, filled, or converted for urban development, agriculture, and aquaculture. Destruction of wetlands and coastal habitats not only diminishes their capacity to support biodiversity but also increases the vulnerability of coastal communities to storms, sea-level rise, and other climate-related hazards.

Find out about another named examples of ecosystem collapse caused by the unsustainable use of natural resources.

https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/images/610-collapse-of-the-cod-fisheries

Case Study: Collapse of the Atlantic Cod Population

Background:
The Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a species of fish found in the North Atlantic Ocean and is one of the most economically important fish species. For centuries, it has supported thriving fisheries, particularly in regions such as the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada.

Issue:
In the late 20th century, the Atlantic cod population experienced a dramatic decline, leading to the collapse of many cod fisheries. This decline was primarily attributed to overfishing, where the rate of fishing exceeded the natural reproduction rate of the cod population.

Causes of Decline:

Overfishing: The commercial fishing industry, equipped with advanced technology and large-scale fishing vessels, intensified fishing efforts, leading to the overexploitation of cod stocks.
Lack of Regulation: Inadequate fisheries management and lax regulations allowed for unsustainable fishing practices, such as high quotas and the use of destructive fishing gear, further exacerbating the decline.
Ecological Factors: Environmental changes, including fluctuations in ocean temperature, habitat degradation, and shifts in prey availability, also contributed to the decline of the cod population.

Consequences:

Economic Impact: The collapse of cod fisheries had significant economic repercussions for coastal communities reliant on fishing for their livelihoods. Many fishermen lost their jobs, and fishing-dependent economies suffered severe downturns.
Ecological Imbalance: The decline of the Atlantic cod had cascading effects on marine ecosystems, disrupting food webs and altering ecosystem dynamics. Predatory species dependent on cod as prey faced declines, while prey species experienced population booms, leading to imbalances in marine biodiversity.
Social Disruption: The collapse of cod fisheries not only affected fishermen but also had broader social implications for coastal communities, including loss of cultural heritage, social cohesion, and traditional ways of life.

Efforts Towards Sustainability:
In response to the decline of the Atlantic cod population, governments and fisheries management organizations implemented various conservation measures. These included:

Implementation of fishing quotas and catch limits to prevent overfishing.
Establishment of marine protected areas and fishing closures to protect spawning grounds and critical habitats.
Promotion of sustainable fishing practices, such as gear modifications to reduce bycatch and habitat damage.

1.3.8 Common indicators of economic development, such as gross domestic product (GDP), neglect the value of natural systems and may lead to unsustainable development.

Discuss the limitations of using gross domestic product (GDP) as the sole indicator of economic development
Explain the concept of Green GDP and its significance in measuring economic progress
Compare and contrast traditional GDP and Green GDP as indicators of economic sustainability

https://www.peakframeworks.com/post/gross-domestic-product

Traditional indicators of economic development, such as gross domestic product (GDP), often fail to account for the full spectrum of economic activities and their impact on natural systems. GDP is the total money value of all final goods and services produced in an economy over a given period, usually one year. Other terms relating to GDP include:

real GDP, which is the total money value of all nal goods and services produced in an economy in a given period, usually one year, adjusted for ination
real GDP per person (per capita), which is given as the sum of the real GDP divided by the population of the country

GDP-focused development policies may prioritize short-term economic gains at the expense of long-term sustainability, leading to unsustainable patterns of resource exploitation, pollution, and social disparities. By solely focusing on increasing GDP, governments and policymakers may overlook the importance of preserving natural capital and promoting equitable development that benefits both present and future generations.

https://advisor.visualcapitalist.com/economic-predictions-for-2022-and-2023/

Examples of the Limitations of GDP:

Loss of Ecosystem Services: When traditional economic activities prioritize resource extraction and industrial production without considering the value of ecosystem services, it can lead to the degradation of natural habitats, loss of biodiversity, and decline in essential services such as clean air and water purification. For instance, deforestation for agricultural expansion may boost GDP in the short term but result in long-term ecological damage and reduced resilience to climate change.
Environmental Degradation: Industrial activities and urbanization often generate pollution and waste that are not accounted for in GDP calculations. For example, heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy production may contribute to air and water pollution, soil contamination, and negative health outcomes for communities living near industrial sites. The costs of environmental cleanup and public health impacts are not reflected in GDP, leading to an inaccurate representation of economic progress.
Social Inequalities: GDP growth does not necessarily translate into improvements in the well-being of all segments of society. Income inequality, lack of access to basic services, and social exclusion are often overlooked in GDP-focused development strategies. For instance, urban development projects that prioritize luxury housing and commercial infrastructure may exacerbate housing affordability issues and marginalize low-income communities, despite contributing to GDP growth.

Access Gapminder. Create a graph showing the correlation between GDP and life expectancy for 10 MEDC and 10 LEDC countries in 2023

Green GDP

Alternative measures like Green GDP and per capita GDP provide insights into the environmental and social dimensions of economic sustainability. Green GDP adjusts traditional GDP figures by incorporating environmental costs, while per capita GDP accounts for inequalities in income distribution, offering a more comprehensive perspective on economic well-being.

Alternative approaches, such as Green GDP, aim to address these shortcomings by accounting for environmental costs and subtracting them from conventional GDP calculations. Green GDP provides a more comprehensive measure of economic progress by incorporating the value of ecosystem services, environmental quality, and social well-being into economic assessments.

However, despite its potential benefits, Green GDP is not without challenges. Quantifying environmental costs and integrating them into economic models can be complex and subjective, requiring robust methodologies and data collection efforts. Additionally, shifting towards a more holistic approach to economic development may require fundamental changes in policy priorities, institutional frameworks, and societal values.

Examples of Green GDP and Alternative Measures:

Natural Capital Accounting: Some countries have adopted natural capital accounting frameworks to assess the value of ecosystem services and incorporate them into economic decision-making. For example, Costa Rica's Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program compensates landowners for preserving forests, watersheds, and biodiversity, recognizing the economic value of intact ecosystems in providing clean water, carbon sequestration, and ecotourism opportunities.
Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI): The GPI adjusts GDP by accounting for environmental and social factors, such as income distribution, household work, and environmental quality. For instance, Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) index measures the well-being of its citizens based on nine domains, including environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and good governance, providing a more holistic assessment of national progress beyond economic growth.
Circular Economy Metrics: The circular economy model aims to minimize waste and resource depletion by promoting product reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency. Metrics such as material flow analysis, resource productivity, and lifecycle assessments provide insights into the environmental and economic benefits of transitioning to a circular economy. For example, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Circulytics tool helps businesses measure and track their circularity performance across various sectors and value chains.

Case Study: Bhutan's Gross National Happiness (GNH) Inde

Background:
Bhutan, a small Himalayan kingdom, is known for prioritizing happiness and well-being over traditional measures of economic growth. In 1972, the Fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, famously declared that "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross Domestic Product." This philosophy laid the foundation for Bhutan's unique approach to development, which seeks to balance economic progress with environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and social harmony.

Key Points:

Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index: Bhutan developed the GNH Index as an alternative measure to GDP, aiming to capture the holistic well-being of its citizens. The GNH Index consists of nine domains, including psychological well-being, health, education, cultural diversity, ecological resilience, and good governance. By assessing these dimensions, Bhutan seeks to promote sustainable and equitable development that enhances the overall quality of life.
Incorporating Environmental and Social Factors: Unlike GDP, which primarily focuses on economic output, the GNH Index considers environmental sustainability and social equity as integral components of national progress. Bhutan's emphasis on environmental conservation, such as maintaining forest cover and promoting renewable energy, reflects its commitment to preserving natural capital for future generations. Additionally, investments in education, healthcare, and cultural preservation contribute to social cohesion and well-being.
Challenges and Trade-offs: While Bhutan's GNH approach has garnered international acclaim for its innovative vision of development, it faces challenges in implementation. Balancing economic development with environmental conservation and social welfare requires careful policy coordination and trade-offs. For example, Bhutan must navigate the tensions between hydropower development for revenue generation and its potential impacts on river ecosystems and rural communities.
Global Relevance: Bhutan's GNH framework has inspired discussions on alternative development paradigms beyond GDP-centric models. Countries and organizations worldwide have expressed interest in adopting similar well-being indicators to complement traditional economic metrics. By emphasizing the importance of holistic development, Bhutan's experience offers valuable lessons for promoting sustainability and human flourishing in a rapidly changing world.

environmental justice

1.3.9 Environmental justice refers to the right of all people to live in a pollution-free environment, and to have equitable access to natural resources, regardless of issues such as race, gender, socio- economic status, nationality.

Discuss the concept of environmental justice and its significance in ensuring equitable access to environmental resources
How can environmental justice initiatives be integrated into broader sustainability frameworks to promote long-term societal well-being?
Evaluate the role of environmental laws and regulations in promoting environmental justice

https://www.rlmartstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/P815-EnviroJustice.jpg

Environmental justice is a fundamental principle that advocates for the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens among all individuals, irrespective of factors such as race, gender, socio-economic status, or nationality. It embodies the belief that every person has the right to live in a clean and healthy environment and to access natural resources without facing discrimination or disproportionate harm.

Environmental justice encompasses the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all individuals in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. It upholds the rights of every person to live in an unpolluted environment and to have equitable access to natural resources. Environmental justice advocates for the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens, ensuring that no community bears a disproportionate share of pollution or environmental hazards due to economic or political factors.

Key considerations:

Upholding the rights of all people to live in an unpolluted environment and have equal access to natural resources.
Ensuring the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies and laws that prevent any group or community from bearing a disproportionate share of harmful effects from pollution or environmental hazards.
Recognizing that any model of sustainable development lacking equity is inherently unsustainable.
Acknowledging that promoting environmental justice without integrating the principles of sustainability will hinder the achievement of its objectives on a large scale.

By incorporating these principles into environmental governance and decision-making processes, we can work towards a more just and sustainable future for all.

Investigate one local and one global example of environmental injustice. State how your example illustrate the concept of environmental racism.
Identify the role governments, communities, and individuals play in addressing the environmental injustice.

Local and Global Examples of Environmental Injustice:

Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Gulf of Mexico (2010):

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill was one of the largest environmental disasters in history, releasing millions of barrels of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico. The spill disproportionately affected coastal communities, particularly those reliant on fishing and tourism for their livelihoods. Cleanup efforts were slow and inadequate, exacerbating the economic and environmental impacts on already marginalized populations, including Indigenous communities and people of color.

Landfills Located in Low-Income Areas:

Across the globe, low-income communities often bear the brunt of environmental degradation, including the siting of landfills and waste disposal sites in their neighborhoods. These communities face increased exposure to pollution, odors, and health risks associated with landfill operations. The unequal distribution of environmental hazards perpetuates social inequalities and reinforces patterns of environmental injustice.

Union Carbide Gas Release in Bhopal, India (1984):

The Bhopal gas tragedy remains one of the deadliest industrial disasters in history, resulting from a toxic gas leak at the Union Carbide pesticide plant. The incident led to thousands of deaths and long-term health impacts for survivors, many of whom belonged to marginalized communities living near the plant. The lack of accountability and inadequate compensation for victims underscored the systemic injustices prevalent in industrial operations and environmental governance.

Maasai Land Rights in Kenya and Tanzania:

The Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania have faced ongoing challenges in asserting their land rights and preserving their traditional way of life. Encroachment by commercial interests, including large-scale agriculture, tourism developments, and conservation projects, has restricted Maasai access to grazing lands and natural resources essential for their livelihoods. Land dispossession and displacement threaten the cultural heritage and economic stability of Maasai communities, highlighting the intersection of environmental and social injustices.

Plastic Waste Disposal by Developed to Developing Countries:

The global trade in plastic waste has raised concerns about environmental justice, particularly regarding the export of waste from developed to developing countries. While affluent nations generate significant quantities of plastic waste, they often export it to less developed countries with inadequate waste management infrastructure. This practice can result in environmental pollution, health risks, and economic exploitation in recipient countries, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities living near waste disposal sites.

Proctor Creek Watershed:

Residents in this Atlanta, Georgia community have been exposed to environmental hazards due to pollution and inadequate infrastructure, leading to health disparities and social inequities.

TAV Waste site:

Located in a predominantly low-income and minority community, this hazardous waste site has resulted in environmental contamination and adverse health effects for nearby residents.

1.3.10 Inequalities in income, race, gender and cultural identity within and between different societies lead to disparities in access to water, food and energy.

To what extent do inequalities in income, race, gender, and cultural identity contribute to disparities in access to essential resources such as water, food, and energy within and between societies?
Discuss the challenges faced by low-income households in accessing basic utilities like electricity and sanitation.

Inequality manifests in various forms, including disparities in income distribution, racial discrimination, gender inequities, and cultural marginalization. These disparities exist within and between societies worldwide, contributing to social stratification and systemic injustices.

Impact on Resource Access:

Disparities in Essential Resources: Inequalities in income, race, gender, and cultural identity directly affect access to critical resources such as clean water, nutritious food, and reliable energy sources. Limited access to these resources exacerbates poverty, exacerbates health disparities, and perpetuates cycles of deprivation.

Income Inequality and Utility Access:

Challenges for Low-Income Groups: Low-income households often struggle to afford basic utilities like electricity, heating, and sanitation due to financial constraints. This lack of access hampers their quality of life, restricts economic opportunities, and deepens social exclusion.

Intersectionality and Resource Disparities:

Compounding Factors: Intersectionality highlights how overlapping forms of inequality intersect to amplify resource disparities. For example, marginalized communities facing discrimination based on race, gender, and socio-economic status experience compounded barriers to resource access and social mobility.

Environmental Injustice and Privatization:

Discriminatory Resource Allocation: Environmental injustice occurs when marginalized communities bear a disproportionate burden of environmental pollution and hazards due to discriminatory resource allocation. Privatization of natural resources further exacerbates inequalities by prioritizing profit over public welfare, leading to increased costs and reduced accessibility.

Addressing Inequalities:

Promoting Social Justice: Addressing inequalities requires comprehensive strategies aimed at promoting social justice and equity. Policy interventions, community-driven initiatives, and advocacy efforts play a crucial role in challenging systemic injustices and advancing inclusive development agendas.

Inability to Afford Electricity Supply:

In many parts of the world, particularly in low-income communities and rural areas, access to reliable electricity remains a challenge. Families living below the poverty line often struggle to afford electricity bills or lack access to grid connections altogether.
This inequality in energy access not only affects individuals' quality of life but also limits their economic opportunities and hinders access to education, healthcare, and communication technologies.

Privatization of Water Sources:

Water privatization, where private companies control water resources and distribution systems, can lead to unequal access to clean and affordable water.
In urban areas, marginalized communities, including low-income neighborhoods and informal settlements, may face water scarcity or contamination due to inadequate infrastructure and insufficient investment in public services.
Privatization often prioritizes profit over public welfare, resulting in price hikes, service cutoffs for non-payment, and neglect of water quality standards, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged communities.

A healthy diet is about much more than calories: we need a wide range of nutrient-dense foods to get all of the vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health. In this post I look at the costs of diets around the world. Healthy diets are expensive; more than four times the cost of a basic, calorie-sufficient one. This is true in every country in the world. As a result, three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, even if they spend most of their income on food.

Case Study: Water Privatization in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Background:
In the early 2000s, Cochabamba, Bolivia, emerged as a pivotal battleground in the global discourse surrounding water privatization. At the time, Bolivia was undergoing significant economic restructuring and policy reforms under the guidance of international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). These institutions, as part of their loan agreements and structural adjustment programs, often mandated measures aimed at privatizing public services and utilities as a means of promoting economic development and fiscal austerity

/www.internationalmagz.com/articles/cochabamba-water-war-privatization-of-water

Issues:

Lack of Access to Clean Water:

Prior to privatization, many residents of Cochabamba, particularly those in low-income neighborhoods and rural areas, lacked access to clean and affordable water. Public infrastructure was inadequate, and water quality standards were not consistently enforced.
The privatization deal led to significant price increases, making water unaffordable for many residents. Families were forced to choose between basic necessities and paying exorbitant water bills, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Social Unrest and Protests:

The announcement of water privatization sparked widespread protests and civil unrest in Cochabamba. Citizens, including indigenous communities and grassroots organizations, mobilized against the privatization scheme, viewing it as a violation of their rights and sovereignty.
Protesters faced violent repression from security forces, resulting in injuries, arrests, and fatalities. The "Water War" of 2000 became a symbol of resistance against neoliberal policies and corporate exploitation.

Resolution:

The Cochabamba Water War ultimately forced the Bolivian government to cancel the privatization contract with Bechtel and enact legislation recognizing water as a fundamental human right. Subsequent governments implemented community-driven water management models, prioritizing public ownership, democratic governance, and equitable access to water resources.

1.3.11 Sustainability and environmental justice can be applied at the individual to the global operating scale.

To what extent can individual actions contribute to promoting sustainability and environmental justice?
Discuss how multinational corporations can integrate principles of sustainability and environmental justice into their global operations.
State how international agreements and treaties address issues of sustainability and environmental justice on a global scale?

https://fastercapital.com/i/Environmental-Justice--Ensuring-Sustainability-for-All-Communities--The-Importance-of-Environmental-Justice-for-All-Communities.webp

Sustainability and environmental justice are broad concepts that apply across multiple scales, from individual actions to global initiatives. Understanding these scales is crucial in recognizing how different levels of engagement and decision-making can impact both local and global environments.

Different Operating Scales:

Individual Scale:

At the individual level, sustainability involves personal choices in daily life, such as conserving water, reducing waste, and choosing sustainable products. Environmental justice at this scale might involve advocating for local environmental issues or participating in community clean-ups
Sustainability: Choosing to use reusable bags and containers instead of single-use plastics.
Environmental Justice: Participating in or organizing neighborhood efforts to clean up local parks and rivers, advocating for fair distribution of clean air and water resources in their community.

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Business Scale:

Businesses affect sustainability through their operational practices, product design, and supply chain decisions. They play a crucial role in implementing sustainable practices and can influence environmental justice through corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Sustainability: A company switching to renewable energy sources for its operations or designing products with a lower environmental impact (e.g., biodegradable materials).
Environmental Justice: A corporation establishing a fair trade partnership that ensures equitable wages and safe working conditions for farmers in developing countries.

Community Scale:

This includes various groups such as religious, cultural, political, and indigenous communities. Each community can influence sustainability and environmental justice through collective actions, cultural practices, and local governance. Community initiatives might involve preserving local ecosystems or promoting traditional ecological knowledge.
Sustainability: A cultural group promoting traditional agricultural practices that are both sustainable and help preserve biodiversity.
Environmental Justice: A religious community advocating for the rights of local populations affected by the environmental degradation caused by nearby industrial activities.

City and Urban Scale:

Cities can implement policies that promote sustainability, such as improving public transportation, managing urban sprawl, and creating green spaces. Urban planning can also address environmental justice by ensuring equitable access to resources and reducing pollution in underserved neighborhoods.
Sustainability: A city implementing a comprehensive public transportation system to reduce car emissions, or creating green roofs on buildings to improve air quality and reduce urban heat.
Environmental Justice: Urban planning initiatives that focus on ensuring all neighborhoods, particularly low-income areas, have access to clean parks, good public transportation, and are not disproportionately affected by industrial pollution.

Country Scale:

At the national level, governments can create laws, policies, and socio-economic systems that foster sustainability and protect the environment. This includes regulations on emissions, national parks conservation, and subsidies for renewable energy. Environmental justice at this level also involves addressing disparities in environmental impacts among different populations.
Sustainability: National policies that incentivize renewable energy use, such as solar or wind power, or laws that require recycling and waste reduction in industries.
Environmental Justice: Implementing policies that ensure all communities have equal protection under environmental laws and equal access to environmental benefits, such as clean air and water, regardless of race or economic status.

Global Scale:

Internationally, organizations like the United Nations (UN) address sustainability through global initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to reduce poverty, protect the environment, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Global environmental justice involves tackling issues like climate change, which disproportionately affects the poorest nations.
Sustainability: International agreements like the Paris Climate Agreement, where countries commit to reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change.
Environmental Justice: Global efforts to ensure that developing countries receive support to adapt to climate change impacts, such as funding for flood defenses or drought-resistant crops, ensuring that the burdens and benefits of climate actions are shared equitably.

Activity: Using a named example, create a chart showing how sustainability and environmental justice can be applied at an individual, community, city, country and global scale.

Here is an example: Fighting environmental racism is never easy. The communities often targeted lack the resources and political power to fight off big polluters. When Warren County, North Carolina was designated by the state as a dumpsite for soil contaminated by highly toxic chemicals, the community took a stand. Special contributor Joie Chen shows us how Warren County came together to battle for environmental justice

sustainability indicators

1.3.12 Sustainability indicators include quantitative measures of biodiversity, pollution, human population, climate change, material and carbon footprints, and others. These indicators can be applied on a range of scales, from local to global.

Outline how sustainability indicators contribute to the assessment of environmental, social, and economic well-being at different scales,
Discuss the significance of biodiversity indicators in measuring the health of ecosystems. Provide examples to support your answer.
Discuss the limitations and challenges associated with the use of sustainability indicators
Select and analyze one environmental sustainability indicator, detailing what it measures, its units, and whether higher or lower values are preferable for both social and environmental sustainability

In the pursuit of sustainability, it's crucial to have tangible metrics to gauge our progress and identify areas needing improvement. Sustainability indicators serve this purpose by providing measurable criteria across various dimensions of environmental, social, and economic well-being. These indicators encompass a broad spectrum of factors, such as biodiversity levels, pollution rates, human population dynamics, climate change impacts, and material and carbon footprints.

Sustainability indicators operate at different scales, from the local to the global level. At the local level, indicators could focus on specific communities or industries, providing insights into regional environmental and social conditions. For example, a local sustainability initiative might track energy usage in residential neighborhoods or waste generation in manufacturing facilities. On a global scale, indicators offer a comprehensive overview of planetary trends and challenges, facilitating international cooperation and policy development.

Global sustainability indicators may assess

deforestation rates in the Amazon rainforest
plastic pollution levels in the oceans
CO2 emissions from industrial activities worldwide.

By systematically tracking these indicators, stakeholders can make informed decisions, monitor progress, and work collaboratively towards a more sustainable future for all.

Sustainability indicators encompass a variety of quantitative metrics spanning biodiversity, pollution, human population, climate change, and material and carbon footprints. These indicators offer insights into sustainability efforts across different scales, from local to global.

Environmental Footprint: Ecological footprints, carbon footprints, and water footprints serve as measures to assess individual or societal sustainability practices. Material and carbon footprint indicators can quantify resource consumption and carbon emissions associated with production and consumption activities.
Indicator Species: Certain species are sensitive to pollutants or adapted to polluted environments, making them valuable for providing indirect measures of environmental health. For instance, the Trent Biotic Index offers an indirect measure of water quality by assessing the tolerance to pollution, abundance, and diversity of species in a community.
Diversity Indices: Diversity indices quantify biodiversity changes in natural communities. Simpson’s reciprocal index, for example, provides a quantitative measure of species diversity within ecosystems.
Socio-economic Indicators: Correlated with demographic factors, socio-economic indicators shed light on changes in human populations, offering insights into socio-demographic trends and their implications for sustainability efforts.
Climate change indicators: monitor greenhouse gas emissions and temperature fluctuations.

Composite indicators provide a comprehensive perspective on sustainable development by incorporating multiple factors and presenting them as an index number. Measuring human development helps us understand how people’s lives and livelihoods vary across the world and how they have changed over time. One prominent example is the Human Development Index (HDI), which evaluates human development across three key areas:

A long and healthy life: measured by life expectancy at birth
Education: measured by expected years of schooling (for children of school entering age) and average years of schooling (for adults aged 25 and older)
A decent standard of living: measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita

The HDI score ranges from 0 to 1, with higher values indicating better development. Countries are categorized based on their HDI score, with classifications including very high (0.800+), high (0.700-0.799), medium (0.550-0.699), and low (below 0.550) levels of human development

In addition to the index itself, it is also used to classify countries into groups depending on their development

1.3.13 The concept of ecological footprints can be used to measure sustainability. If these footprints are greater than the area or resources available to the population, this indicates unsustainability.

Explain what the ecological footprint is and how it is linked to sustainability.

The concept of ecological footprints provides a valuable tool for measuring sustainability. Essentially, an ecological footprint represents the amount of land and resources required to sustain a particular population or activity. If the ecological footprint exceeds the available resources within a given area, it signals unsustainability.

Imagine it this way: every individual, community, or activity consumes resources and produces waste. Ecological footprints help us quantify this consumption and waste generation in terms of land area. For example, it accounts for the land needed to produce food, provide energy, and absorb waste emissions.

When ecological footprints surpass the available resources or the Earth's capacity to regenerate them, it indicates that human activities are unsustainable in the long term. This imbalance can lead to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and ultimately, a diminished quality of life for future generations.

As a model, it is able to provide a quantitative estimate of human carrying capacity. It is, in fact, the inverse of carrying capacity. It refers to the area required to sustainability support given population rather than the population that a given area can sustainably support.

Ecological footprints can be increased by:

greater reliance on fossil fuels
increased use of technology and energy (but technology can also reduce the footprint)
high levels of imported resources (which have high transport costs)
large per capita production of carbon waste (high energy use, fossil fuel use)
large per capita consumption of food
a meat-rich diet

Ecological footprints can be reduced by:

reducing use of resources
recycling resources
reusing resources
improving efficiency of resource use
reducing amount of pollution produced
transporting waste to other countries to deal with
improving country to increase carrying capacity
importing resources from other countries
reducing population to reduce resource use
using technology to increase carrying capacity
using technology to intensify land

Access the Global Footprint Network ecological footprint calculator to calculate your ecological footprint.

Answer the questions honestly and accurately to calculate your ecological footprint.
Note down your results, including your overall footprint and the specific areas contributing to it (e.g., carbon footprint, food, housing).
List the issues that are considered when calculating EF
Suggest how you could reduce your EF, or that of your school, based on the information you are given.

Access the Footprint Data Foundation website. Select Total Ecological Footprint. Select a country of your choice on the interactive map.

Copy and paste the selected country's biocapacity and ecological footprint data in your workbook.
Identify where your country rank
Based on this information, discuss the implications of the country's ecological footprint relative to its biocapacity.
Suggest strategies that the country could implement to achieve ecological balance.

https://www.footprintnetwork.org/our-work/

Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity has exhausted nature's budget for the year. For the rest of the year, we are maintaining our ecological deficit by drawing down local resource stocks and accumulating carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

1.3.14 The carbon footprint measures the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents (in tonnes). The water footprint measures water use (in cubic metres per year).

Define the term "carbon footprint."
Describe two methods used to calculate the water footprint of a product.
Explain how the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle might differ from that of a gasoline-powered vehicle over its lifetime.

https://media.geeksforgeeks.org/wp-content/uploads/20220608173845/reducecarbonfootprint-660x330.png

Carbon Footprint
The carbon footprint is a metric used to quantify the total emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) caused directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product. These emissions are expressed as the total weight of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) to account for the different global warming potentials of various gases. The measurement is typically given in tonnes of CO2e. This footprint helps in assessing the impact of certain activities or choices on climate change, guiding efforts to reduce carbon emissions across various sectors.

https://www.dw.com/en/how-big-is-your-water-footprint/a-61171792

Water Footprint
In parallel, the water footprint measures the total volume of fresh water used, consumed, and polluted, typically within a year by human activities or during the production of goods and services. This measurement is expressed in cubic metres of water per year. The water footprint is a crucial indicator for understanding water usage efficiency and sustainability, especially in regions facing water scarcity. It helps in evaluating how water resources are managed and can guide improvements in water conservation strategies.

Both footprints are essential for environmental management and sustainability. They provide clear indicators that can help in making informed decisions to minimize environmental impact. By understanding and managing our carbon and water footprints, individuals, businesses, and governments can contribute more effectively to environmental conservation efforts and the pursuit of global sustainability goals.

Acces the Water Footprint Network Compare how much water is used to make a variety of products so that you can choose to reduce your water footprint

1.3.15 Biocapacity is the capacity of a given biologically productive area to generate an ongoing supply of renewable resources and to absorb its resulting wastes.

Define biocapacity.
Explain how biocapacity is measured and what it indicates about an ecosystem.
Discuss the relationship between biocapacity and ecological footprint.

Biocapacity refers to the ability of a biologically productive area (such as forests, fishing grounds, croplands, and grazing lands) to regenerate renewable resources and absorb wastes generated by humans, specifically the carbon dioxide emissions. It is measured in global hectares (gha), which represent the productivity of an average biologically productive area worldwide.

Relationship Between Biocapacity and Ecological Footprint

The concept of biocapacity is closely tied to that of the ecological footprint, which quantifies the demand placed on Earth's ecosystems by individuals, organizations, or nations. It includes the area needed to produce the resources consumed and to absorb the waste generated. When the ecological footprint of a population exceeds the region's biocapacity, the condition is termed as unsustainability.

Consequences of Exceeding Biocapacity

Exceeding biocapacity can lead to several environmental problems, including:

Resource Depletion: Overuse of resources faster than they can be replenished, leading to depletion of soils, forests, and water bodies.
Waste Accumulation: Increased waste levels that cannot be absorbed effectively, leading to pollution and greenhouse gas accumulation.
Loss of Biodiversity: As natural habitats are overused or destroyed, species diversity can decline, disrupting ecosystems.

Examples of areas where ecological footprints exceed biocapacity include:

Deforestation in the Amazon: The demand for land for cattle ranching and agriculture has led to extensive deforestation, reducing the biocapacity of the region.
Overfishing in the North Atlantic: Fishing beyond the biocapacity of the waters leads to fish stock depletion, affecting marine biodiversity and food security.

Access the Footprint Data Foundation website. Select a country in the map to reveals their biocapacity and ecological footprint data.

1.3.16 Citizen science plays a role in monitoring Earth systems and whether resources are being used sustainably.

Define the term 'citizen science' and explain its importance in environmental monitoring.
Describe two examples of citizen science projects that contribute to monitoring Earth systems.
Explain how data collected by citizen scientists can be used to address local environmental problems

Citizen science involves public participation and collaboration in scientific research with the aim to increase scientific knowledge. By engaging non-professional scientists, citizen science allows for extensive data collection and observation at scales or resolutions that professional scientists alone may not be able to achieve, especially in environmental monitoring. Information for citizen science projects can be gathered through crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing involves obtaining information from a large group of people who submit their data via the internet and/or social media

Monitoring Earth Systems
Citizen scientists play a crucial role in monitoring Earth's systems, contributing to our understanding of how resources are utilized and the sustainability of these practices. By collecting data on local environmental conditions—from water quality in nearby lakes to observations of wildlife—they provide valuable insights into the health of ecosystems. This data is vital for detecting changes over time and assessing resource sustainability.

Impact on Local and Global Research
The information collected by citizen scientists is not only pertinent to local environmental issues but also scales up to contribute to global research challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. For example, data on local temperature variations and precipitation patterns can feed into larger climate models, helping scientists predict changes in climate and their potential impacts on global scales.

Contributions to Scientific Research
Citizen science projects increase the reach and scope of scientific research. They allow for:

Increased Data Collection: Larger datasets that cover more geographic areas and time periods than would be feasible for individual researchers or teams.
Localized Problem-Solving: Data that is directly relevant to specific locales, providing solutions tailored to local needs and conditions.
Public Engagement and Education: Enhancing public understanding of science and encouraging a direct connection with scientific research, thereby increasing public support for scientific initiatives.

Examples of Citizen Science Projects

Globe at Night: A project that allows citizens to measure light pollution by observing the visibility of stars.
eBird: Managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this tool gathers data from birdwatchers, contributing to avian research and conservation efforts globally.

Case Study: Christmas Bird Count (CBC)

Background
The Christmas Bird Count, initiated in 1900, is one of the longest-running wildlife monitoring programs in the world. It was started as an alternative to the traditional "side hunt," where teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds and small mammals. Instead, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman proposed a bird census that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunting them.

Methodology
Every year, from December 14 to January 5, thousands of volunteers across the Americas take part in this event. Participants, referred to as "birders," count every bird they see or hear all day. They follow specific routes, called "circles," that are 15 miles in diameter and have been established to standardize the counts. The data collected provide critical insights into the population trends and health of bird species.

Impact
The data gathered by volunteers during the CBC has been vital in conservation biology, especially in assessing the health of bird populations and guiding conservation efforts. For example:

Influencing Legislation: CBC data have been used to support the development of environmental policies and wildlife management strategies.
Species Conservation: The data help identify species in decline or those doing well, guiding targeted conservation actions.
Community Engagement: The CBC has helped foster a community of conservation-minded individuals and heightened public awareness about the importance of protecting bird species.

Global Reach
While primarily active in the United States and Canada, the CBC has expanded to include counts in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands, reflecting its growth as an international effort.

Educational and Scientific Contributions
The CBC has also served as an educational tool, introducing people to bird identification and ornithology. Moreover, the data have been featured in numerous scientific papers, enhancing our understanding of long-term ecological changes and the effects of climate change on wildlife.

1.3.17 There are a range of frameworks and models that support our understanding of sustainability, each with uses and limitations.

Define the term "sustainability model" and explain why these models are simplified versions of reality.
Describe two sustainability frameworks and discuss how they help organizations or governments in decision-making processes.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the Triple Bottom Line framework in achieving sustainable outcomes.

Sustainability models are conceptual tools that help us understand the interactions between human activities and the environment. These models are used to predict outcomes, assess impacts, and guide decision-making towards more sustainable practices. Like all models, they are simplifications of reality, designed to highlight certain aspects while inevitably omitting others. This simplification allows for clearer focus and analysis but also introduces certain limitations.

Key Frameworks and Models

Triple Bottom Line (TBL): This framework expands the traditional reporting framework to include ecological and social performance in addition to financial performance. It is vital for understanding that the long-term sustainability of an organization depends not just on economic success but also on its environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
The Natural Step (TNS): TNS is based on four basic principles of sustainability that guide organizations and individuals to reduce their ecological footprint. The framework is praised for its clear, science-based principles but sometimes criticized for its complexity and abstract nature.
Circular Economy Model: This model focuses on reusing resources and minimizing waste, aiming for a closed-loop system of operation. It's a practical model for reducing resource depletion and is becoming increasingly influential in business and policy. However, its implementation can be challenging due to existing economic and industrial structures.
Planetary Boundaries Framework: Developed to monitor and maintain the stability and resilience of the Earth system, this model identifies nine planetary boundaries within which humanity can safely operate. It is instrumental for understanding global environmental limits but is often criticized for not considering the social dimensions of sustainability.

Uses of Sustainability Models
Policy Development: Models help in the formulation of policies that promote sustainable development by providing a structured approach to understanding environmental impacts and resource constraints.

Education and Awareness: They are essential tools in education, helping students and the public understand complex sustainability issues and the need for action.
Business Strategy: Models guide businesses in developing strategies that improve their environmental and social impacts while maintaining profitability.

Limitations of Sustainability Models

Simplification: While simplification helps in understanding complex systems, it can lead to overlooking critical nuances or interactions in real-world scenarios.
Data Dependence: The accuracy of predictions and assessments often depends on the availability and quality of data, which can be limited.
Adaptability: Some models may not be easily adaptable to local contexts or specific industries, limiting their applicability.

un sustainable development goals

1.3.18 The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of social and environmental goals and targets to guide action on sustainability and environmental justice.

Describe the purpose of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Explain how the SDGs aim to address issues of poverty and inequality globally.
Discuss the interdependencies between SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) and how actions towards one affect the other

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all" by the year 2030. These goals were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which followed and expanded upon the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Purpose and Scope
The SDGs cover a broad range of social and environmental objectives that aim to end poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved, usually quantifiable and time-bound.

Uses of the SDGs

Guidance for Policy: The SDGs provide a comprehensive framework for governments and organizations to develop policies that promote social and environmental sustainability.
Mobilization of Resources: They help to channel governmental and private resources towards critical issues like clean water, sanitation, and renewable energy.
Public Awareness: The goals raise awareness and promote collective action among the public and private sectors to address global challenges.

Successes

Global Mobilization: Unprecedented awareness and action across governments, businesses, and civil societies towards sustainability.
Notable Progress: Significant strides in poverty reduction, renewable energy adoption, and improvements in health and well-being.
Policy Integration: Governments increasingly incorporate SDGs into national planning, driving holistic approaches to sustainability.
Private Sector Engagement: Growing alignment of business strategies with SDGs, spurring sustainable practices and innovations.
Innovation Boost: Accelerated technological, financial, and policy innovations aimed at addressing sustainability challenges.

https://www.apiday.com/blog-posts/all-sdgs-sustainable-development-goals-most-recent-developments

Challenges

Uneven Progress: Disparities in achievement across regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
Global Crises Impact: Setbacks from COVID-19 the war in Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting vulnerabilities in global systems and widening inequalities.
Data and Financing Gaps: Challenges in monitoring progress and mobilizing the trillions needed annually to meet the goals.
Call to Action: Increased ambition, commitment, and international cooperation are crucial as we approach the 2030 deadline to ensure a sustainable and equitable world for all

10 Criticisms of the UN Sustainability Goals

They're non-binding.
They're vastly underfunded.
They're not urgent enough.
They're too vague.
There's too many of them.
They're not immune from politics.
They set goals instead of rights.
They exacerbate global inequality.
They’re hard to sustain in a fracturing world
Their lack of progress breeds apathy

(Information from Africa Report)

Acces the UN Sustability Goals website. Select two countries Outline their Sustainability progress

planetary boundry model

1.3.19 The planetary boundaries model describes the nine processes and systems that have regulated the stability and resilience of the Earth system in the Holocene epoch. The model also identifies the limits of human disturbance to those systems, and proposes that crossing those limits increases the risk of abrupt and irreversible changes to Earth systems.

Define the term 'planetary boundary'.
List three of the nine planetary boundaries that scientists argue should not be crossed.
Explain why the nitrogen cycle is considered a critical planetary boundary.

The Planetary Boundaries model, proposed in 2009 by Johan Rockström from the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Will Steffen from the Australian National University, identifies nine critical thresholds in the Earth's environmental systems. These thresholds are designed to maintain the stability and resilience of the Earth system throughout the Holocene epoch, the geological epoch that began approximately 11,700 years ago during which human civilizations have developed and flourished.

The evolution of the planetary boundaries framework. Licenced under CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 (Credit: Azote for Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University. Based on Richardson et al. 2023, Steffen et al. 2015, and Rockström et al. 2009)

The Nine Planetary Boundaries

Climate Change
Ocean Acidification
Stratospheric Ozone Depletion
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles
Freshwater Use
Land System Change
Biodiversity Loss
Atmospheric Aerosol Loading
Novel Entities (e.g., chemical pollution)
Crossed Boundaries

Uses

Identifies science-based limits to human disturbance of Earth systems;
Highlights the need to focus on more than climate change (which dominates discussion);
Alerts the public and policymakers about the urgent need for action to protect Earth systems.

Purpose:

Establish scientifically derived thresholds for human impact on Earth's ecosystems.
Emphasize the importance of addressing a broad range of environmental issues beyond the commonly discussed topic of climate change.
Inform the public and policymakers about the critical necessity of taking immediate actions to safeguard Earth's systems.

Research indicates that several of these boundaries have already been crossed, posing significant risks to global ecosystems:

Climate Change: Increased greenhouse gas emissions have led to rising global temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events.
Biodiversity Loss: Habitat destruction, overexploitation, pollution, and invasive species have drastically reduced biodiversity.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles: Excessive use of nitrogen and phosphorus in agriculture has disrupted these vital nutrient cycles, leading to water system eutrophication and other ecological problems.

Factors Contributing to Boundary Transgression
Several human activities have contributed to the crossing of these planetary boundaries:

Industrialization: Emissions from factories, power plants, and vehicles contribute significantly to climate change and atmospheric aerosol loading.
Agriculture: Intensive farming practices, including the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, have altered the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and contributed to land system changes.
Urbanization: Expansion of urban areas into natural landscapes has led to significant biodiversity loss and land system changes.

Limitations:

Focuses only on ecological systems and does not consider the human dimension necessary to take action for environmental justice
the model is a work in progress— assessments of boundaries are changing as new data becomes available;
the focus on global boundaries may not be a useful guide for local and country-level action.

Case Study: The Great Barrier Reef

Background
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, stretches over 2,300 kilometers off the northeast coast of Australia. It is a globally significant biodiversity hotspot that supports a wide range of marine life.

Connection to Planetary Boundaries

Climate Change: The reef has been severely impacted by rising sea temperatures, which cause coral bleaching. This occurs when coral expels the algae living in their tissues, causing the coral to turn completely white and often leading to widespread death among the coral populations.
Ocean Acidification: The absorption of increased levels of CO2 by ocean waters makes them more acidic, which erodes coral skeletons and impairs their growth and structural integrity.
Biodiversity Loss: The deterioration of the reef ecosystem threatens the vast array of species that depend on the coral reef for shelter, food, and breeding grounds.

Human Impact

Tourism: While tourism is a significant economic driver in the region, excessive human activity and pollution from tourism-related operations have also contributed to the stress on the reef.
Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides from agriculture wash into the coastal waters, leading to nutrient overload that fuels the growth of harmful algae blooms, which compete with coral.

Conservation Efforts
Efforts to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef include:

Regulations to Reduce Pollution: Implementing stricter controls on agricultural runoff and coastal development to reduce the influx of pollutants.
Marine Protected Areas: Establishing zones within the reef where fishing and tourism are restricted or banned to allow ecosystems to recover.
Climate Action Initiatives: Promoting global and national actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change on the reef.

HL ONLY
For Higher Level students, analyzing quantitative data provides insights into when and how these boundaries have been crossed:

Climate Change

Boundary Description: Atmospheric concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
Threshold: The 350 ppm threshold is based on research that suggests staying below this level is necessary to maintain the Earth's climate within the Holocene-like conditions that human civilizations have known and thrived in
Current Status: As of recent years, atmospheric CO2 levels have surpassed this threshold, with measurements at the Mauna Loa Observatory indicating levels often exceeding 410 ppm. This rise in CO2 levels is largely driven by fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.
Quantitative Data: Graph shows historical CO2 levels from pre-industrial times to present.
Impact Analysis: Discuss how exceeding this boundary increases the risk of severe climate impacts like extreme weather events and sea-level rise. According to the data, when was this planetary boundary crossed?

Biodiversity Loss

Boundary Description: Genetic diversity and species extinction rates.
Threshold: The boundary is often quantified in terms of the extinction rate, measured as extinctions per million species-years (E/MSY). The proposed safe limit has been suggested to be no more than 10 extinctions per million species-years
Current Status: Boundary has been crossed with current extinction rates estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural background rates.
Quantitative Data: Graphs of species extinction over the last few centuries.
Impact Analysis: Consequences on ecosystem services and resilience. According to the data, when was this planetary boundary crossed?

Cumulative vertebrate species recorded as extinct or extinct in the wild by the IUCN (2012). Graphs show the percentage of the number of species evaluated among mammals (5513; 100% of those described), birds (10,425; 100%), reptiles (4414; 44%), amphibians (6414; 88%), fishes (12,457; 38%), and all vertebrates combined (39,223; 59%). Dashed black curve represents the number of extinctions expected under a constant standard background rate of 2 E/MSY.

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles

Boundary Description: Human alteration of nitrogen and phosphorus flows from the atmosphere and into the oceans.
Threshold: The threshold for the nitrogen cycle is quantified in terms of the amount of industrially fixed nitrogen from the atmosphere into reactive forms (e.g., fertilizers). The safe limit is set at 62 million tons per year on a global scale. For phosphorus, the boundary relates to the amount of phosphorus flowing into the oceans, which should not exceed 11 million tons per year.
Current Status: Human activities, particularly through agricultural fertilization and fossil fuel combustion, currently convert about 150 million tons of atmospheric nitrogen into reactive forms annually, far exceeding the safe threshold. The application of phosphate fertilizers and the consequent runoff into water bodies has lead to approximately 22 million tons of phosphorus entering the oceans annually, also exceeding the safe limit..
Quantitative Data: Data on global nitrogen and phosphorus flows compared to natural flows.
Impact Analysis: Effects on aquatic life and water quality. (eutrophication)

https://www.frontiersin.org/files/Articles/258706/fevo-05-00070-HTML-r1/image_m/fevo-05-00070-g002.jpg

doughnut economics model

1.3.20 The doughnut economics model is a framework for creating a regenerative and distributive economy in order to meet the needs of all people within the means of the planet.

Define Doughnut Economics.
Describe the two boundaries of the Doughnut model.
Explain the term "regenerative economy" within the context of Doughnut Economics.
Provide two examples of practices that would be considered regenerative.
Discuss the importance of the distributive economy in achieving sustainable development.
How does a distributive economy differ from traditional economic systems?
What is meant by the 'social foundation' and the 'ecological ceiling' in the Doughnut Economics model?

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2017.00070/full

Doughnut Economics is not just a model but a transformative approach to understanding and shaping our economies. It aims to balance the essentials of human life with the sustainability of the planet. Developed by economist Kate Raworth, the model visualizes a world where we meet all human needs within the ecological limits of the Earth.

Structure

The Social Foundation: Represented by the inner boundary of the doughnut, this foundation addresses the shortfall in meeting humanity's basic needs such as health, education, and access to clean water. These needs align with the social Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that no one falls into the 'hole' of the doughnut, where essential life requirements are unmet.
The Ecological Ceiling: The outer boundary of the doughnut is based on planetary boundaries that, when exceeded, lead to detrimental impacts on the Earth, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ocean acidification. Staying within this boundary is crucial to avoid ecological overshoot, where the planet's limits are exceeded, risking severe environmental degradation.
The Green Dough: Safe and Just Space for Humanity: The area between these two boundaries is described as the "safe and just space" for humanity. This green dough represents an ideal state where human societies thrive within the capacities of the Earth. However, global data reveal that many regions either fall short of the social foundation or exceed the ecological ceiling, indicating a critical need for reevaluation of economic systems and practices.

Uses

Environmental justice: includes both ecological and social elements
Popularity: it has reached popular awareness
Developing: being used at different scales (for example, countries, cities, neighbourhoods, businesses) to support action on sustainability.

Limitations

Difficult paradigm shift: rejects the goal of economic growth that most governments and businesses still aim for; shifting worldviews has been difficult
Developing: a work in progress, so some questions about the model’s possible application cannot be answered yet
Broad: it advocates broad principles of regenerative and distributive practice but does not propose specific policies.

Moving Toward a Regenerative and Distributive Economy
To address these challenges, the Doughnut model promotes a shift from growth-focused economic models to ones that are both regenerative and distributive:

Regenerative Economy: This aspect of the model emphasizes economies that work with and within the limits of the natural world. It advocates moving away from the linear 'take-make-waste' model to a more circular economy where resources are reused, recycled, and restored. Examples include:

Expanding green spaces and enhancing biodiversity.
Implementing circular business models that minimize waste and maximize resource efficiency.
Government policies that support sustainable practices, like incentives for businesses to adopt eco-friendly operations.

Distributive Economy: The distributive aspect focuses on ensuring that economic prosperity is shared more equitably among all members of society. This involves:

Redistributing wealth and resources to reduce economic inequalities.
Creating opportunities for all to thrive within the ecological limits, which may include policies aimed at reducing excess consumption among the wealthiest, thereby aligning better with ecological sustainability.
Encouraging businesses to adopt fair labor practices and equitable distribution of profits.

.
Examples:

Individual households

Conserving and enlarging green spaces,
Sowing diverse species to ensure ecosystem robustness,
Removing unnecessary pavement to allow better water infiltration,
Establishing environments that support insect populations
Composting kitchen scraps.

Businesses

Crafting products that contribute to human well-being,
Partnering with suppliers committed to environmental sustainability
Curtailing waste while adopting principles of the circular economy

Government agencies:

Comprehensive environmental protection laws seen in Costa Rica, which include payments for ecosystem services and forest conservation
Japan's stringent recycling regulations
Financial encouragements (subsidies, tax breaks, or accessible loans) for sustainable transitions, mirroring efforts like Norway's aggressive electric vehicle (EV) incentives, which include tax exemptions and grants for EV infrastructure
Urban greenery initiatives in Singapore that offer funding for roof and vertical gardens to enhance urban biodiversity.

Global Perspectives and Local Actions
Despite the variability across countries, such as the UK's progress on social foundations but ecological overshoot, or Sri Lanka's ecological sustainability but lack of meeting human needs, no country has yet achieved the ideal "safe and just space." This global perspective underscores the urgency and potential for local actions to collectively push towards achieving the goals set by Doughnut Economics

Assessing the Social Foundation: Global Shortfalls in Meeting Human Needs

Doughnut Economics highlights the urgency of addressing global social deficits across 12 key areas. The following data points underscore where humanity is falling short in ensuring basic social foundations:

Food Security: Between 2014 and 2016, about 11% of the global population was undernourished, indicating significant challenges in achieving food security.
Healthcare: In 2015, 45% of the global population lived in countries where the child mortality rate exceeded 25 per 1000 live births. Additionally, 39% were in countries where life expectancy at birth was below 70 years as of 2013.
Education: In 2013, the adult illiteracy rate (ages 15 and older) stood at 15%. Simultaneously, 17% of children aged 12 to 15 were not enrolled in educational institutions.
Income and Employment: By 2012, 29% of people globally lived on less than the international poverty line of $3.10 per day. The unemployment rate among young adults (ages 15–24) seeking work was 13% in 2014.
Peace and Justice: In 2014, 85% of the global population resided in countries scoring 50 or less out of 100 on the Corruption Perception Index. Additionally, 13% lived in regions where the homicide rate was at least 10 per 10,000 from 2008 to 2013.
Political Voice: Over half the global population (52% in 2013) lived under regimes scoring 0.5 or less out of 1.0 on the Voice and Accountability Index, indicating limited political representation and freedom.
Social Equity: From 1995 to 2012, 39% of people lived in countries with a high Palma ratio, where the income share of the top 10% drastically outweighed that of the bottom 40%.
Gender Equality: In 2014, women were underrepresented in national parliaments by 56%, and in 2009, there was a 23% global earnings gap between women and men.
Housing: As of 2012, 24% of the urban population in developing regions resided in slum conditions, highlighting significant challenges in urban housing.
Networks: A quarter of the global population (24% in 2015) reported having no one to rely on during times of trouble, and 57% were without internet access, indicating significant gaps in social and digital connectivity.
Energy: In 2013, 17% of the population did not have access to electricity, and 38% lacked proper cooking facilities, reflecting critical energy deficiencies.
Water and Sanitation: By 2015, 9% of people globally did not have access to improved drinking water sources, and 32% lacked adequate sanitation facilities.

These statistics provide a sobering reminder of the considerable distance still to be covered to ensure that no one falls into the central hole of the Doughnut—where essential needs remain unmet. Addressing these shortfalls is imperative to achieving an economy that is both socially just and ecologically safe.

circular economy

1.3.21 The circular economy is a model that promotes decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. It has three principles: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature.

Define the circular economy
Explain how the circular economy differs from the linear economy.
Describe the three core principles of the circular economy.
Explain the significance of the Butterfly Diagram in understanding the circular economy.

Linear Economic Model

The linear economic model, traditionally dominant in global economic systems, is characterized by a straightforward, sequential approach to resource use and production known as "take-make-waste." This model underpins much of industrial production and consumer behavior, structured around three basic stages

https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/linear-economy.png

Take:

This initial stage involves the extraction of natural resources from the environment. Resources such as minerals, fossil fuels, water, and timber are harvested to serve as raw materials for goods and services. The extraction processes often rely on non-renewable resources that are depleted over time, leading to unsustainable levels of resource use.

Make:

In this phase, raw materials are transformed into products. Manufacturing processes convert these inputs into consumer goods, industrial equipment, and other products through various industrial operations. This stage is typically energy-intensive and can generate significant amounts of pollution and waste, contributing to environmental degradation.

Waste:

After their useful life, products are disposed of, leading to the final stage of the linear model. The end-of-life products are often sent to landfills or incinerators, where they contribute to pollution and waste accumulation. This disposal phase highlights a critical flaw in the linear model: the lack of provisions for reusing, refurbishing, or recycling materials.

Criticisms of the Linear Economic Model

The linear economic model faces significant criticism for its environmental and economic inefficiencies:

Resource Depletion: The continuous extraction of finite resources without adequate measures for replenishment or sustainability leads to depletion, ecological strain, and eventual scarcity of critical materials.
Environmental Impact: The linear model contributes to substantial environmental issues, including pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat destruction, exacerbating climate change and biodiversity loss.
Economic Waste: The model fosters a cycle of consumption and disposal that overlooks the potential economic benefits of resource efficiency and waste reduction. By not maximizing the lifecycle of materials, the economy misses out on potential savings and value creation.

https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/we-need-clear-strategy-circular-economy-631494

Circular Economic Model

The circular economy is a progressive economic model designed to separate economic growth from the consumption of finite resources. This approach contrasts sharply with the traditional linear economy, which follows a 'take–make–waste' pattern of production and consumption. In a circular economy, the focus shifts towards sustainability and efficiency, emphasizing the continuous use of resources through three core principles.

The Three Principles of the Circular Economy

Eliminating Waste and Pollution:

From the outset, this principle involves designing out waste and pollution in products and processes. By rethinking how resources are used, the goal is to ensure that waste is not created in the first place, rather than trying to manage waste after it is produced.

Circulating Products and Materials:

This principle focuses on keeping products, components, and materials in use at their highest utility and value at all times. It encompasses the ideas of reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, and recycling, thus extending the lifecycle of products and minimizing resource inputs.

Regenerating Nature:

Unlike the linear model, which often depletes and degrades the natural world, the circular economy seeks to enhance natural systems. By returning valuable nutrients to the environment and adopting farming and industrial practices that restore ecosystems, the circular economy supports the continual renewal of the natural world.

The Butterfly Diagram by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The Butterfly Diagram serves as a compelling visual representation of the circular economy. It illustrates how raw materials can flow through different processes to maximize their utilization before returning safely to the environment. The diagram is divided into two main loops:

The Technical Cycle: This loop deals with non-biodegradable materials, emphasizing repair, remanufacture, and recycling to keep materials within the economy and maintain their value as long as possible.
The Biological Cycle: This loop handles biodegradable materials that can be safely returned to the environment. Here, the focus is on strategies like composting and anaerobic digestion that regenerate natural systems.

Uses

Nature's principles: the circular economy uses nature's time-tested principles to improve sustainability
Natural resources: keeping materials and products in use means that we will need to extract fewer materials from nature, preserving land, water, and biodiversity
CO2 emissions: keeping materials and products in use means we need to produce less, and will emit less CO2
Natural resources: reduction of waste by extending product life cycle;
Pollution: keeping materials and products in use means less waste, which reduces pollution in ecosystems

Limitations

Business awareness: existing businesses may not be aware of circular economy practices; lack of expertise
Business costs: existing businesses may not be able to transition to circular strategies due to costs of changing production; new businesses may find that using circular strategies makes products unprofitable
Lack of government laws: most governments do not have regulations requiring businesses to use circular practices
Pollution: it may not be possible to redesign all current products to circulate; waste and pollution will likely continue

Case Study: Adidas Infinite Play

https://www.knittingindustry.com/adidas-launches-new-adidas-infinite-play-service/

Background
Adidas, a global leader in the sportswear industry, has implemented a program called "Infinite Play" as part of its commitment to sustainability and the circular economy. This initiative is designed to extend the lifecycle of sportswear and footwear, reducing waste and promoting recycling in the production of new products.

Overview of Infinite Play
Adidas Infinite Play is a take-back scheme that encourages consumers to return their used Adidas products in exchange for a gift card. The program operates through a user-friendly app where customers can easily register the items they want to return, receive a shipping label, and send the items back to Adidas at no cost.

The Circular Economy Process

Collection: Customers return their used Adidas sportswear and footwear via mail after registering them on the Adidas app.
Sorting and Processing: Returned items are sorted based on their condition. Products that are still in good condition are cleaned and resold on Adidas's second-hand platform. Items that are no longer suitable for wear are sent for recycling.
Recycling and Remanufacturing: Materials recovered from worn-out products are recycled into raw materials, which are then used to manufacture new products. Adidas uses advanced technologies to break down materials such as rubber, foam, and textiles and reincorporate them into the production cycle.
Selling Recycled Products: Adidas incorporates the recycled materials into new products, such as the Futurecraft.Loop sneakers, which are designed to be fully recyclable. After use, these sneakers can be returned, and the materials are reused in new sneakers, thus closing the production loop.

Benefits of Infinite Play

Resource Efficiency: The program significantly reduces the need for virgin materials, lowering environmental impacts associated with raw material extraction and processing.
Waste Reduction: By keeping materials in use longer and recycling them into new products, Adidas reduces waste and minimizes its environmental footprint.
Consumer Engagement: Infinite Play engages customers in sustainable practices, raising awareness about the benefits of recycling and the importance of reducing waste.

Challenges and Solutions

Collection Efficiency: Ensuring efficient collection logistics is a challenge. Adidas addresses this by simplifying the return process and providing incentives for customers to participate.
Material Quality: Maintaining the quality of recycled materials is essential. Adidas invests in technology to improve the quality of recycled inputs to meet product standards.
Market Demand: Creating demand for recycled and second-hand products can be challenging. Adidas combats this by marketing these products effectively and educating consumers about the environmental benefits of supporting circular economy practices.

Activity: Outline a named example of how the circular economy has been applied to the production of one commodity.

image from https://sites.google.com/a/rappahannockschools.us/mrs-sanborn-s-site/environmental-science/sustainability-ecological-footprint

Correct use of terminology is a key skill in ESS. It is essential to use key terms correctly when communicating your understanding, particularly in assessments. Use the quizlet flashcards or other tools such as learn, scatter, space race, speller and test to help you master the vocabulary.

Key Terms

sustainability
ecological footprint
development
ecological footprint
environmental justice
raw materials
gross domestic product
biocapacity
distributive economy

environmental sustainability
waste
planetary boundaries
regeneration
carbon footprint
social sustainability
sustainable development
citizen science
linear economy

UN SDG
doughnut economics
ecological tipping point
water footprint
economic sustainability
inequality
Human Development Index
ecological ceiling
circular economy

Classroom Material

Subtopic 1.3 Sustainability Presentation.pptx
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File Type:	pptx

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Subtopic 1.3 Sustainability Workbook.docx
File Size:	3659 kb
File Type:	docx

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Useful Links

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - UN
Global Environment Outlook - UN
Global International Waters Assessment - UN

Global Footprint Network
The Sustainability Scale Project
Ecological footprints for individual countries

Bird's Eye View of Changing Landscapes - Crossing Boundaries
Environmental Change - UNEP
Environmental Protection Authority of Australia - This site has a searchable database of real EIAs
Environmental Impact Assessment General Procedures - A paper by Pacifica F. Achieng Ogola of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company Ltd. (KenGen).
Sumatra Tsunami - San Jose University

In The News
How the world’s oceans could be running out of fish - BBC Future News 21 September 2012
This is a great article about agroforestry in the Sahel as a model of sustainable agriculture - Scientific American 28 January 2011
Overfishing and ecologically sustainable yield in Jamaica - from American Scientist magazine
According to the film, The End of the Line: The World Without Fish, scientists predict that if we continue fishing as we are now, we will see the end of most seafood by 2048. The link is to the 1st of 3 parts on YouTube; you can follow the remaining 2 parts from there.
America's Changing Environments - NPR 01 Jun , 2013

TOK

Sustainability often suggests preserving current conditions. However, if our present conditions are marked by environmental degradation and social disparities, should 'sustainability' still be our goal? Regeneration, on the other hand, implies a proactive approach—repairing, rebuilding, and revitalizing. It encompasses a spirit of generosity and a commitment to improve the world for future generations. Given these definitions, how significant is the choice between 'sustainability' and 'regeneration' when discussing our interactions with nature and society?

VIDEO CLIPS

The Lorax (original cartoon)

Jonathon Porritt, is an eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development. He is Co-Founder of Forum for the Future, the UK's leading sustainable development charity.He is Co-Director of The Prince of Wales's Business and Sustainability Programme, was formerly Director of Friends of the Earth

It may be that we live in an age of hyper-connectivity and “big data,” but I contend that the fundamental reason why we’ve managed to construct the most highly unsustainable culture the Earth has ever seen is precisely because we have not been taught to see the connections

Every day, we use materials from the earth without thinking, for free. But what if we had to pay for their true value: would it make us more careful about what we use and what we waste? Think of Pavan Sukhdev as nature's banker -- assessing the value of the Earth's assets. Eye-opening charts will make you think differently about the cost of air, water, trees ..

The presentation focuses on the need to address natural resource degradation, governance and benefit-sharing as fundamental components of peacebuilding in Afghanistan and other post-conflict countries