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CHAPTER 11: WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY? (STUDY DESIGN (• assessment of…
CHAPTER 11: WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY?
Ecologically sustainable development
(ESD)
Sustainable Development
: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
i.e the ESD means using, conserving and enhancing the community's resources so that ecological processes, on which life depends, are maintained and the quality of life for both present and future generations is also maintained.
This requires ensuring that the nature of production and consumption continues to better satisfy human needs, while using fewer raw materials and producing less waste.
ESD takes into account and weights the overall benefits and impacts across three areas: environment, social and economic.
Sustainability vs ESD
Sustainability
: An ability or capacity of something to be maintained or to sustain itself.
The main issues we consider for the long-term sustainability of the planet: population growth, food security, water security and efficient energy resource use.
Challenges to Sustainability
As the Earth's population grows, so do the demands on the environment to support us - most importantly with regards to energy, food and water.
Human Impacts on Earth's Systems
Earth's Four Systems
Biosphere
: The place on Earth where all life exists
Hydrosphere
: All the water found on Earth
Lithosphere
: The outermost solid layer of Earth (including the crust and upper mantle)
Atmosphere
: The gaseous envelope of air surrounding the Earth that protects life
When conducting any sort of environmental protect, considerations of potential impacts is paramount in ensuring minimal harm comes to the environment. WE must carefully and scientifically evaluate all possible impacts and choose the management option that best addresses these impacts -- to meet the principles of ESD.
STUDY DESIGN
• assessment of beneficial and harmful impacts on the four Earth systems (atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere) of one selected environmental science project
• comparison of definitions of sustainability including distinction between sustainability and ecologically sustainable development
• challenges to sustainability: population, food, water, energy