EQ: What is sustainability? What are the major causes of unsustainability?

Our State of the Union Address…

Our Ideal world, where we are, what will we do about it.

Sustainability (Our Ideal)

A. The ability to change/adapt to changing environmental conditions INDEFINITELY.B. Components:

1. Natural capital must be used wisely: natural resources, natural services (nutrient cycling)

2. Environmental Scientists search for solutions.3. Trade-Offs/ Compromise aka: COST/ BENEFITS: Cost efficiency Examples: Solar power, electric cars4. Individuals make the difference: We all have to work together.

ENVIROMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY= Living off of our natural income

How does this work?$1 millionInvest and earn 10% interestSustainable income = $100,000 a year (INDEFINATELY!!!) ***remember that is what sustainable means***What if…$200,000? Gone by the early 7th year.

$110,000? Gone by the early 18th year.

Lesson: PROTECT YOUR CAPITAL AND LIVE OFF THE INCOME IT PRODVIDES.

So, where are we?

On a scale of 1-5 ( 5being awesome)…Where do you think we are?

Are we sustainable? 5OR

Are we headed to bankrupt? 1

In other words: Are we sinking or are we surviving?

What are the causes?

1. Population Growth: In 2013 our population = 7.1 Billion people In 25 years our population has grown by 2 billion

people. The rate of growth for the world is 80 million/

year. Good news it is slowing… bad news by 2050 it is

estimated it will be around 9.3 billion people. (Mostly in developing countries)

Cinquain

First consists of two syllables/one word (The Title)

Second line consists of 4 syllables/two words (Decribes)

6 Syllables/ Three words (Action)

8 syllables (another word for the title)

Two Syllables/1 word (another word for the title)

YOUR TITLE is: any form of SUSTAINABILITY

If you have your notebook turn to

page 4. If not take out a clean

sheet of notebook paper.

EQ: What are the major causes of unsustainability plaguing our world? (Con’t)Define tragedy of the commons and its importance to understanding sustainable resource use?

2. Wasteful/unsustainable resource use.

• Resources aka Services:– Provisional – Regulation– Cultural

• Think back to Friday: What were the things past societies missed used?

• Some things to think about:

• What shall we maximize? Bentham, states “The greatest good for the greatest number”. Is this achievable?• Maximize population= can only use just enough energy to survive. Means no

vacations, work, swimming, shopping, talking on the phone, anything enjoyable.

• Optimum point can’t be maximum for everyone to be “good”.

In your groups come up with a good definition and some examples of each of these types of services.

This brings us to ….

“The Tragedy of the Commons” By: Garrett Hardin, 1968• Short term vs. long term…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFkUeleHPY• In your notes write your own definition of

tragedy of the commons.

3. PovertyLets get perspective:Charts from poverty

Truth about poverty:-Desperate for short term survival-Affects population growth

4. Failure to include the harmful environmental costs of goods and services in their market prices.

5. Insufficient knowledge of how nature works.

What nature tells us… 1. Reliance on solar energy 2. Biodiversity 3. Nutrient recycling 4. Population control

5. Decreasing Biodiversity

• Critical for maintaining stability in populations and ecosystems.

• “According to the UN Environment Programme, the Earth is in the midst of a mass extinction of life. Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours. This is nearly 1,000 times the "natural" or "background" rate and, say many biologists, is greater than anything the world has experienced since the vanishing of the dinosaurs nearly 65m years ago.”

6. Climate Change… Not to be confused with Global Warming

What can we do?

In his essay “ From Carrying Capacity to Footprint and Back” Michael Cain gives 4 solutions.

1. Our global population size stabilizes and slowly decreases.

2. People in wealthy nations engage in smart consumption (Recycle, Reduce, Reuse)

3. Societies invest heavily in sustainable forms of energy.

4. Earth’s lands and waters are protected.

Lets review

1. The ability to change and adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely is tragedy of the commons.

2. When looking at sustainability it is important to look at cost efficiency.

3. Sustainability is the amount of land and water that is needed to support a person’s lifestyle.

4. Tragedy of the Commons discusses the importance of monitoring and controlling the use of natural resources.

Sustainability

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Philosophical Chairs

• On Page 5 write the following:– Central Statement: Easter Island’s history is best

described by Lipo and Hunt’s Theory.

Your stance:I agree/disagree with the central statement because… (Two reasons, site paragraph numbers)

Rules of Engagement…• Listen carefully when others are speaking and seek to understand their

arguments even if you don’t agree.• Wait for the mediator to recognize you before you speak; only one person

speaks at a time.• You must first summarize briefly the previous speaker’s argument: “What I

think I heard you say was…”• If you have spoken for your side you must wait until three other people on

your side speak before you speak again.• Be sure that when you speak you address the ideas, not the person stating

them.• Keep an open mind, and move to the other side or the undecided section if

you feel that someone made a good argument or your opinion is swayed.• Support the mediator by maintaining order and helping the discussion

progress.

Reflection (Still on page 5)• What was the statement that was discussed today?• What are the arguments for the statement. (at least three)• What are the arguments against the statement. (at least three)• Your position and reasons for your position. Include if you

changed your mind and which arguments swayed your thinking.• Is Easter Island and example of tragedy of the commons?

Explain your answer.

WHEN YOU ARE DONE TAPE YOUR ARTICLE TO PAGE 6.

DON’T FORGET WE ARE IN THE LIBRARY TOMORROW