environmentally sustainable society

A Society that satisfies the basic needs of its people without depleting or

degrading its natural resources and thereby preventing current and future

generations of humans and other species from meeting their basic

needs.

Natural CapitalNatural CapitalThe natural resources and natural

services that keep us and other species alive and support our economies.

Natural Capital =Natural Resources + Natural Services

The natural resources and natural services that keep us and other species alive and support our economies.

Natural Capital =Natural Resources + Natural Services

Natural ResourcesNatural ResourcesWaterSoilLife (biodiversity)Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)Renewable energy (sun, wind, water

flows)Nonrenewable energy)fossil fuels,

nuclear power

WaterSoilLife (biodiversity)Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)Renewable energy (sun, wind, water

flows)Nonrenewable energy)fossil fuels,

nuclear power

Natural ServicesNatural ServicesAir Purification

Water purification

Water Storage

Soil Renewal

Nutrient Recycling

Conservation of biodiversity

Wildlife Habitat

Grassland & Forest Renewal

Waste Treatment

Climate Control

Population Control

Pest Control

Solar CapitalSolar Capital

Energy from the sun that warms the planet and supports photosynthesis and in doing so all life on Earth.

Also results in other forms of renewable energy such as wind, flowing water, biofuels.

Energy from the sun that warms the planet and supports photosynthesis and in doing so all life on Earth.

Also results in other forms of renewable energy such as wind, flowing water, biofuels.

Natural Capital Degradation

Natural Capital Degradation

Using a resource at a faster rate than it can renew itself…it “shrinks” the amount of natural capital available to us.

The opposite of sustainable yield

Using a resource at a faster rate than it can renew itself…it “shrinks” the amount of natural capital available to us.

The opposite of sustainable yield

Economic GrowthEconomic Growth

Increase in the capacity to provide people with goods and services produced by an economy; an increase in gross domestic product (GDP).

GDP = Annual market value of all goods and services produced by all firms and organizations, foreign and domestic, operating within a country.

Increase in the capacity to provide people with goods and services produced by an economy; an increase in gross domestic product (GDP).

GDP = Annual market value of all goods and services produced by all firms and organizations, foreign and domestic, operating within a country.

Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

Improvement of living standards by use of economic growth.

The UN classifies the world’s countries as economically developed or developing based primarily on their degree of industrialization and their per capita GDP.

Improvement of living standards by use of economic growth.

The UN classifies the world’s countries as economically developed or developing based primarily on their degree of industrialization and their per capita GDP.

2 Ways Economic Growth Can Be Accomplished

2 Ways Economic Growth Can Be Accomplished

Environmentally unsustainableEnvironmentally sustainable

Environmentally unsustainableEnvironmentally sustainable

Developed CountriesDeveloped Countries

Country that is highly industrialized and has a high per capita GNP

Include: USA; Canada, Japan; Australia, New Zealand and most European countries (population = 1.2 billion)

Country that is highly industrialized and has a high per capita GNP

Include: USA; Canada, Japan; Australia, New Zealand and most European countries (population = 1.2 billion)

Gross National Product (GNP)

Gross National Product (GNP)

Is the total dollar value of all final goods and services produced for consumption in society during a particular time

Is the total dollar value of all final goods and services produced for consumption in society during a particular time

Developing CountriesDeveloping Countries

Country that has low to moderate industrialization and low to moderate per capita GNP. Most are located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.(population = 5.4 billion)

Country that has low to moderate industrialization and low to moderate per capita GNP. Most are located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.(population = 5.4 billion)

Environmental Degradation

Environmental Degradation

Depletion or destruction of a potentially renewable resource such as soil, grassland, forest, or wildlife that is used faster than it is naturally replenished. If such use continues, the resource becomes nonrenewable (on a human time scale) or nonexistent (extinct)

Depletion or destruction of a potentially renewable resource such as soil, grassland, forest, or wildlife that is used faster than it is naturally replenished. If such use continues, the resource becomes nonrenewable (on a human time scale) or nonexistent (extinct)

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint

It measures the average environmental impact of individuals or populations in different countries and areas. AND IS

The amount of biologically productive land and water needed to supply each person or population with the renewable resources they use and to absorb or dispose of the wastes from such resource use.

It measures the average environmental impact of individuals or populations in different countries and areas. AND IS

The amount of biologically productive land and water needed to supply each person or population with the renewable resources they use and to absorb or dispose of the wastes from such resource use.

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint

Developed countries have a much larger ecological footprint. About 50% of Global Ecological Capacity is used by USA(25%); European Union(19%); Japan (5%)Add China(18%) & India(7%){moderately developed} = 74%

Developing countries such as those in Africa; SE Asia; Latin America have a smaller ecological footprint.

Currently (2002) humanity’s footprint is 39%

higher than Earth’s ecological capacity

Developed countries have a much larger ecological footprint. About 50% of Global Ecological Capacity is used by USA(25%); European Union(19%); Japan (5%)Add China(18%) & India(7%){moderately developed} = 74%

Developing countries such as those in Africa; SE Asia; Latin America have a smaller ecological footprint.

Currently (2002) humanity’s footprint is 39%

higher than Earth’s ecological capacity

What is CultureWhat is Culture

environmental worldviewHow people think the world works, what

they think their role in the world should be, and what they believe is right and wrong environmental behavior (environmental ethics).

environmental worldviewHow people think the world works, what

they think their role in the world should be, and what they believe is right and wrong environmental behavior (environmental ethics).

Major Cultural Changes Major Cultural Changes

hunter-gatherers agricultural revolution, industrial-medical revolution, information and globalization revolution.

(discuss why each has led to more environmental degradation)

hunter-gatherers agricultural revolution, industrial-medical revolution, information and globalization revolution.

(discuss why each has led to more environmental degradation)

Environmental RevolutionEnvironmental Revolution

Cultural change involving halting population growth and altering lifestyles, political and economic systems, and the way we treat the environment so that we can help sustain the earth for ourselves and other species. This involves working with the rest of nature by learning more about how nature sustains itself. (also called sustainability revolution)

Cultural change involving halting population growth and altering lifestyles, political and economic systems, and the way we treat the environment so that we can help sustain the earth for ourselves and other species. This involves working with the rest of nature by learning more about how nature sustains itself. (also called sustainability revolution)

5+ Basic Causes of the Environmental Problems of

Today

5+ Basic Causes of the Environmental Problems of

Today1. Population Growth2. Climate Change3. Clean Fresh Drinking Water4. Loss of Biodiversity5. Improper use of land6. Deforestation7. Over harvestinghttp://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/faq/top_5_environmental_questions/

1. Population Growth2. Climate Change3. Clean Fresh Drinking Water4. Loss of Biodiversity5. Improper use of land6. Deforestation7. Over harvestinghttp://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/faq/top_5_environmental_questions/

Poverty & its Link to Negative Environmental

Impact

Poverty & its Link to Negative Environmental

ImpactPoverty = Inability to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.

(discuss Impact)

Negative effects of Not including Environmental Cost in Price of

Products/Services

Negative effects of Not including Environmental Cost in Price of

Products/ServicesThough cost of goods are much lower than if

all these hidden cost of environmental “damage” the overall problem is no one takes responsibility for “repair” of the environment. Recall that coal or ore mines once exhausted are often waste lands. Also in one of the documentary films (WASTE) it was pointed out that if the manufactures of cars, tv’s, washing machines, etc. took recycle responsibility than our waste problem (landfills) etc. would be greatly reduced.

Though cost of goods are much lower than if all these hidden cost of environmental “damage” the overall problem is no one takes responsibility for “repair” of the environment. Recall that coal or ore mines once exhausted are often waste lands. Also in one of the documentary films (WASTE) it was pointed out that if the manufactures of cars, tv’s, washing machines, etc. took recycle responsibility than our waste problem (landfills) etc. would be greatly reduced.

Planetary Management Worldview

Planetary Management Worldview

Beliefs that (1) as the planet’s most important species, we are in charge of the earth; (2) we will not run out of resources because of our ability to develop and find new ones; (3) the potential for economic growth is essentially unlimited; and (4) our success depends on how well we manage the earth's life-support systems mostly for our own benefit.

Beliefs that (1) as the planet’s most important species, we are in charge of the earth; (2) we will not run out of resources because of our ability to develop and find new ones; (3) the potential for economic growth is essentially unlimited; and (4) our success depends on how well we manage the earth's life-support systems mostly for our own benefit.

Stewardship WorldviewStewardship Worldview

Beliefs that (1) we are the planet's most important species but we have an ethical responsibility to care for the rest of nature; (2) we will probably not run out of resources but they should not be wasted; (3) we should encourage environmentally beneficial forms of economic growth and discourage environmentally harmful forms of economic growth; and (4) our success depends on how well we can manage the earth's life-support systems for our benefit and for the rest of nature.

Beliefs that (1) we are the planet's most important species but we have an ethical responsibility to care for the rest of nature; (2) we will probably not run out of resources but they should not be wasted; (3) we should encourage environmentally beneficial forms of economic growth and discourage environmentally harmful forms of economic growth; and (4) our success depends on how well we can manage the earth's life-support systems for our benefit and for the rest of nature.

Environmental Wisdom World View

Environmental Wisdom World View

Beliefs that (1) nature exists for all the earth's species and we are not in charge of the earth; (2) resources are limited, should not be wasted, and are not all for us; (3) we should encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth and discourage earth-degrading forms of economic growth; and (4) our success depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and integrating such lessons from nature into the ways we think and act

Beliefs that (1) nature exists for all the earth's species and we are not in charge of the earth; (2) resources are limited, should not be wasted, and are not all for us; (3) we should encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth and discourage earth-degrading forms of economic growth; and (4) our success depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and integrating such lessons from nature into the ways we think and act

Frontier Environmental Worldview

Frontier Environmental Worldview

This is another world view that historical occurred (1600 to 1890 in North America). Here the view was that resources were unlimited and Nature needed to be conquered and managed for human use.

This is another world view that historical occurred (1600 to 1890 in North America). Here the view was that resources were unlimited and Nature needed to be conquered and managed for human use.