Chapter 2 Environmental Sustainability and Human Values Sustainability

Chapter 2 Environmental Sustainability and Human Values

Sustainability & The Commons n n n Garrett Hardin n “The Tragedy of the Commons” n Sharing common resources n Resource collapse Happening with global commons today Stewardship: shared responsibility

Sustainable Development n n n Economic growth that: n Meets needs of the present n Does not compromise future Meets needs of world’s poor Can occur only within limits of the environment

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Consumption n Using goods and services for our needs Minimizes use of resources Eliminate consumption overpopulation

Sustainable Consumption n Requires eradication of poverty Poor will need to increase consumption: why? Will require major lifestyle changes

Environmental Ethics n n Application of ethical standards to environmental questions Based on values, which change Consider people today and in the future Involves many tradeoffs

Environmental Worldviews n n Helps us make sense of: n How the environment works n Our place in the environment n Right and wrong behaviors Two extremes n Western n Deep ecology

n n Western Worldview Expansionist; frontier attitude Human-centered, utilitarian Exploit nature Accumulate wealth

Deep Ecology Worldview n n n Based on harmony with nature Spiritual respect for life All species are equal Requires radical shift in modern thinking Need for population control

Voluntary Simplicity n n How should you live? Material wealth not required for happiness Values and character important How can you make changes?

Environmental Justice n n Right of everyone to protection from environmental harm Moral sense of fairness & equality Who is exposed to the most pollutants? Where are many landfills and toxic waste facilities located?

A Plan Is Needed n n n Carrying capacity n Maximum population that can be sustained n What is our carrying capacity? Human population must be stabilized Overconsumption must stop

Development n n n Goal: improve quality of human life Unequal distribution of resources Many live on less than per day How can this problem be solved? What can you do? $2

Education Is Key! n n n Public must be aware Support for environmental education Need for more trained professionals

Biodiversity & Us n n Biodiversity: variety of living organisms Humans are part of Earth’s web of life What does biodiversity do for us? Ecosystem services

Protecting Biodiversity n n Much biodiversity is in the developing world Need for more scientists Proper management of land Every country needs a plan

Where Do We Start? n n Individuals matter! n Simple, small changes; reduce consumption n There is no “away” National level n Commitment to sustainability n Know your leaders

What Does The Future Hold? n n n How do you want to live? Most people need to reconnect with the environment More to life than technology

Case Study: World Summits n n 1992: Rio de Janeiro n Focus on international environmental issues n Goal: sustainable development 2002: Johannesburg n Assess progress n Little success: why? n Goal: reduce poverty

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. ” Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1937