Sustainability and the Environment
Define the concept of environmental sustainability
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of today without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their own needs.
Includes:
Protecting biodiversity
Stopping human caused climate change
Elimination of acid rain
Elimination of damage to ozone layer
Reduction of pollution (air, water, noise, etc.)
Management of resources e.g. fish, water
Economic Sustainability
Development that includes everyone, where everyone has the right of economic improvement. The development should be long-term and devoid of corruption and burdening debt.
Includes:
Access to finance
No corruption
No absolute poverty
No extortion
No nepotism
Debt removal?
Social Sustainability
Development that is inclusive and ensures an improvement in the standard of living for all. It should incorporate everyone and ensure equal access to healthcare, education, resources, etc. while respecting individual cultures.
Includes:
Freedom of speech
Health and safety at work
Access to clean water and sanitation
Access to needs i.e. water, food, shelter, clothing
Access to education
Access to health care
Equality between sexes, religions, etc.
Right to vote
Access to justice
Safety - no threat from crime
Respect of cultures
Evaluate a management strategy at a local or national scale designed to achieve environmental sustainability
Causes
Slash and burn agriculture
Forests burning down due to underground fires
No minerals left
Poor village, no development, education on the topic or resources to fix the problem
Success
The Organization was able to transform an area of cleared land back into a rainforest, sustaining both the local community and the wildlife in the area, including the orangutans, the initial reason of the project’s aim.
Temperature decreased 3 to 5 degrees
The trees initiated rainfall
Air humidity up 10%
Rainfall up 25%
137 species of birds (from 5)
3000 people getting jobs
Uses the local system to protect the system
Nature
The land not only regained its biodiversity but biodiversity increased due to the plants and change in the environmental surroundings
Minerals in the area were restored
Reforestation→ gene bank
Forest remains, biodiversity prospers
Diversity of plant life
Well-Being
People benefited from the sugar palms which were grown → provided them with income → increase quality of life
Families receive education
Rainforest creates its own rain → helps bordering village that has a problem with water
Society
Families that sold their land get their land back
People get timber and can build houses, have fuel and wood to cook with, producing from the trees, have enough income for 3 families
Adjusted to local cultural values
Supports the community financially
Economy
Makes it difficult to corrupt → having deals and rules
Generate income → allows them to produce ethanol and energy so system continues → incentive for the people
System can provide income for over 600 families
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of today without compromising the ability for future generations to meet their own needs.
Includes:
Protecting biodiversity
Stopping human caused climate change
Elimination of acid rain
Elimination of damage to ozone layer
Reduction of pollution (air, water, noise, etc.)
Management of resources e.g. fish, water
Economic Sustainability
Development that includes everyone, where everyone has the right of economic improvement. The development should be long-term and devoid of corruption and burdening debt.
Includes:
Access to finance
No corruption
No absolute poverty
No extortion
No nepotism
Debt removal?
Social Sustainability
Development that is inclusive and ensures an improvement in the standard of living for all. It should incorporate everyone and ensure equal access to healthcare, education, resources, etc. while respecting individual cultures.
Includes:
Freedom of speech
Health and safety at work
Access to clean water and sanitation
Access to needs i.e. water, food, shelter, clothing
Access to education
Access to health care
Equality between sexes, religions, etc.
Right to vote
Access to justice
Safety - no threat from crime
Respect of cultures
Evaluate a management strategy at a local or national scale designed to achieve environmental sustainability
Causes
Slash and burn agriculture
Forests burning down due to underground fires
No minerals left
Poor village, no development, education on the topic or resources to fix the problem
Success
The Organization was able to transform an area of cleared land back into a rainforest, sustaining both the local community and the wildlife in the area, including the orangutans, the initial reason of the project’s aim.
Temperature decreased 3 to 5 degrees
The trees initiated rainfall
Air humidity up 10%
Rainfall up 25%
137 species of birds (from 5)
3000 people getting jobs
Uses the local system to protect the system
Nature
The land not only regained its biodiversity but biodiversity increased due to the plants and change in the environmental surroundings
Minerals in the area were restored
Reforestation→ gene bank
Forest remains, biodiversity prospers
Diversity of plant life
Well-Being
People benefited from the sugar palms which were grown → provided them with income → increase quality of life
Families receive education
Rainforest creates its own rain → helps bordering village that has a problem with water
Society
Families that sold their land get their land back
People get timber and can build houses, have fuel and wood to cook with, producing from the trees, have enough income for 3 families
Adjusted to local cultural values
Supports the community financially
Economy
Makes it difficult to corrupt → having deals and rules
Generate income → allows them to produce ethanol and energy so system continues → incentive for the people
System can provide income for over 600 families