Environmental Policy: Decision Making And Problem Solving Sustainability and Sustainable Development & Strategies fo

1. AP Environmental Science Mr. Grant Lesson 14 Environmental Policy: Decision Making And Problem Solving Sustainability and Sustainable Development & Strategies for Sustainability

2. Objectives: • Define the term affluenza. • Explain the concept of sustainable development. • Discuss how protecting the environment can be compatible with promoting economic welfare. • Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions.

3. Define the term affluenza. • Affluenza- A term coined by social critics to describe the failure of material goods to bring happiness to people who have the financial means to afford them.

4. Explain the concept of sustainable development • More people are beginning to appreciate Earth’s limited capacity • They are voicing concerns about our current behaviors • What do people mean by sustainability? • To sustain human institutions and ecological systems in a healthy and functional state • The contributions of biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services to human welfare are priceless

5. Explain the concept of sustainable development Sustainable development entails environmental protection, economic development, and social justice. • Sustainability does not mean just protecting the environment from humans • Sustainable development aims for a triple bottom line • Triple bottom line = the new goal for sustainability • Finding ways to promote social justice, economic well-being, and environmental quality at the same time • This goal is the primary challenge for this century and our species

6. Explain the concept of sustainable development Proponents of sustainable development feel that economic development and environment and environmental quality can enhance one another. • Environmental protection enhances opportunity • Environmental protection and economic well-being do not conflict Environmental protection and green technologies and industries can create rich sources of new jobs. • Reducing consumption and waste saves money • New jobs arise as old ones decline • Environmental protection helps the economy • It leads to increased values of property and homes

7. Explain the concept of sustainable development • Conservation maximizes economic value • When external costs and benefits are factored in, the economic value of sustainably managed ecosystems exceeds the value of harvested ecosystems

8. Explain the concept of sustainable development • We are part of our environment • Economic development has clearly diminished biodiversity and decreased habitat • Along with degrading ecological systems • Many believe command-and-control environmental policy poses excessive costs for industry • While restricting the rights of private citizens • It is easy to feel disconnected from nature • When we consider where our things come from, it becomes easier to see how we are part of the environment

9. A banana split in Tulsa, Denver • Contains ingredients from around the world • Which impacts the environment of many far-away places

10. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Sustainable solutions to environmental problems are numerous • But challenges confront us: • Being imaginative enough to think of solutions we haven’t tried • Being shrewd and dogged enough to overcome political and economic obstacles • Being able to measure the effect of a change to see if it is truly sustainable

11. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions We discuss ten general approaches that can inspire specific sustainable solutions. • Citizens exert political influence • Democracies offer a compelling route for pursuing sustainability: the power of the vote • We can guide our political leaders to enact policies for sustainability • A person can exercise power by: • Voting, attending public hearings, donating to advocacy groups • Writing letters and making phone calls “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” (Margaret Mead)

12. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Consumers vote with their wallets • We wield influence in the choices we make as consumers • Consumers can buy ecolabeled products to increase sales • Recycled paper, “dolphin-safe” tuna, etc. • Consumers can also promote “green” purchasing at work and school • Buy certified sustainable wood, organic food, energy-efficient appliances, etc. • Employees can voice their preferences in purchasing decisions

13. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • We can rethink our assumptions about growth • Economists and policymakers talk of economic growth as an ultimate goal • Growth is a tool to attain the real goal of maximizing human happiness • We will not have long-term happiness by endlessly expanding our economy • We must incorporate external costs into market prices of goods and services • Green taxes and phasing out harmful substances could encourage sustainability • But political obstacles are considerable

14. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Quality of life does not need intensive consumption • Economic growth is driven by consumption • We believe that more, bigger, and faster is better • The U.S., with 5% of the world’s population, uses 30% of energy and 40% of all resources • Consumption of limited resources cannot continue • Affluenza = affluent people often do not find happiness in material wealth

15. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Money does not buy happiness • To enhance our quality of life: • Improve technology and efficiency in industry • Develop a sustainable manufacturing system • Modify our behavior, attitudes, and lifestyles to minimize consumption

16. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Population growth must cease. • Continued human population growth is not sustainable • Technology has expanded the Earth’s carrying capacity • Sooner or later, growth will end, but how? • Through wars, plagues, famine • Or through voluntary means as a result of wealth and education • The demographic transition may help developing countries, as it helped developed countries

17. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Technology can help us. • Technology has spurred population increase • The agricultural and industrial revolutions • Advances in medicine and health • Technology magnifies our impact on Earth • The I = PAT equation • Shortsighted uses of technology have created a mess • But wiser use of green technology can help us get out • Developed countries have exported technologies to developing countries • Intensifying environmental impacts there, too

18. Green technology: the catalytic converter Catalytic Converter

19. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Industry can mimic natural systems • Environmental systems operate in cycles • They have feedback loops and circular material flows • Output is recycled into input • Human systems are linear • Raw materials are processed, which generates waste • Linear pathways can be transformed into circular ones through recycling • Virtually all products can be recycled, given the right technology • The ultimate vision is to generate no waste

20. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Self-sufficiency vs. globalization • Local self-sufficiency builds sustainable societies • Large multinational corporations are obtaining power over global trade • Promoting consumption • Not environmental protection • But globalization brings communication and learning • It may foster sustainability through entrepreneurship and creativity

21. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • We can think in the long term • We must base our decisions on long-term thinking • The best long-term solution is not the best short-term one • This is why we are currently not sustainable • Policymakers act for the short-term good • They want quick results that help them get reelected • But environmental problems are cumulative • They worsen gradually and need long periods to be solved • Costs of solving problems are short term • But benefits are long term

22. Describe and assess key approaches to designing sustainable solutions • Promoting research and education is vital • We can magnify our influence by educating others and serving as role models through our actions • Environmental science provides information that people can use to make wise decisions about issues • Scientific research and education can help us find sustainable solutions