Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability

Environmental Problems, Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Their Causes, and

SustainabilitySustainability

Chapter 1Chapter 1

Living More SustainabilityLiving More Sustainability

EnvironmentEnvironment

EcologyEcology

Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

EnvironmentalismEnvironmentalism

Question #1:Question #1:

What are the 6 major themes of What are the 6 major themes of this book?this book?

Central ThemeCentral Theme

SustainabilitySustainability• The ability of earth’s various systems The ability of earth’s various systems

(including human systems & economies) to (including human systems & economies) to survive & adapt to changing environmental survive & adapt to changing environmental conditionsconditions

• Living w/o degrading Living w/o degrading (Degrading = using resources faster than they can (Degrading = using resources faster than they can

renew themselves)renew themselves)

Fig. 1-2, p. 7

A Pa t h t o S u s t a i n a b i l i t yNatural Capital Natural Capital

DegradationSolutions Trade-Offs Individuals

Matter

S o u n d S c i e n c e

Path to Sustainability: Sub-ThemesPath to Sustainability: Sub-Themes

Sub-ThemesSub-Themes Natural Capital Natural Capital

• resources & natural processes that sustain liferesources & natural processes that sustain life

Natural Capital DegradationNatural Capital Degradation• Using resources faster than nature can replace themUsing resources faster than nature can replace them

SolutionsSolutions• Search for solutionsSearch for solutions

Trade-OffsTrade-Offs• Compromise helps us resolve conflictsCompromise helps us resolve conflicts

Individuals MatterIndividuals Matter• Individuals/groups can work together to bring about political or Individuals/groups can work together to bring about political or

social change necessary to solve problemssocial change necessary to solve problems

……. Sound Science. Sound Science

NATURAL CAPITAL

NATURAL CAPITAL

NATURAL RESOURCES

NATURAL RESOURCES

Air

Water

Soil

Land

Life (biodiversity)

Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)

Renewable energy(sun, wind, water flows)

Nonrenewable energy(fossil fuels, nuclear power)

NATURAL SERVICES

NATURAL SERVICES

Air purification

Water purification

Soil renewal

Nutrient recycling

Food production

Pollination

Grassland renewal

Forest renewal

Waste treatment

Climate Control

Population control(species interactions)

Pest control

Sustainability & Natural CapitalSustainability & Natural Capital

=

=

+

+

Sustainability =

Living w/o degrading our

natural capital!!!


What is an environmentally What is an environmentally sustainable society?sustainable society?

Solutions to Environmental ProblemsSolutions to Environmental Problems

Environmentally Susutainable SocietyEnvironmentally Susutainable SocietyA society that meets the basic needs A society that meets the basic needs

(food/water/shelter/etc) of its people, (food/water/shelter/etc) of its people, without compromising the ability of without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their future generations to meet their needsneeds

Protects biodiversity & natural Protects biodiversity & natural capital (recycling / clean energy)capital (recycling / clean energy)

Natural CapitalNatural Capital

Capital = wealthCapital = wealth

Invested capital Invested capital provides financial provides financial incomeincome

Natural Capital Natural Capital provides “Biological provides “Biological income” for us to income” for us to live off oflive off of

Fig. 1-3, p. 7

ExampleExample Imagine you win $1 million in a lottery. Imagine you win $1 million in a lottery.

If you invest this money and earn 10% If you invest this money and earn 10% interest a year, you will have interest a year, you will have sustainable financial income of sustainable financial income of $100,000. if you spend $200,000 per $100,000. if you spend $200,000 per year, your $1 million will be gone early year, your $1 million will be gone early in the 7in the 7thth year (degraded capital) year (degraded capital)• Even if you spent $110,000 a year you Even if you spent $110,000 a year you

would be bankrupt in the 18would be bankrupt in the 18thth year. year.

• Protect your capital!!! Live off the income Protect your capital!!! Live off the income it provides.it provides.


How fast is the human How fast is the human population increasing?population increasing?

Fig. 1-1, p. 1

Hunting andgathering

Agricultural revolution Industrialrevolution

Black Death—the Plague

World PopulationWorld Population

?

Time

Billio

ns o

f pe

op

le

World Population GrowthWorld Population Growth Exponential growth (1.2%)Exponential growth (1.2%)

• Growth has slowed, but still increasingGrowth has slowed, but still increasing• ~80 million people added annually~80 million people added annually

Fig. 1-1, p. 1

Problems with Population Problems with Population GrowthGrowth

PovertyPoverty• 1 in 2 workers makes less than $2/day1 in 2 workers makes less than $2/day

Extinction and Biodiversity LossExtinction and Biodiversity Loss• Deforestation / land clearing for crops & settlement / Deforestation / land clearing for crops & settlement /

topsoil erosion / wetland destruction / coral reefstopsoil erosion / wetland destruction / coral reefs

Climate changesClimate changes• Burning fossil fuels & clearing forestsBurning fossil fuels & clearing forests• Will disrupt economiesWill disrupt economies

Good news: possible solutionsGood news: possible solutions


What is the difference between What is the difference between economic growth and economic economic growth and economic

development?development?

EconomicsEconomics Economic growthEconomic growth – increase in the capacity of a – increase in the capacity of a

country to provide people with goods and country to provide people with goods and services.services.• RequiresRequires: population growth / increased production & : population growth / increased production &

consumptionconsumption

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – the annual – the annual market value of all goods and services produced market value of all goods and services produced by all firms and organizations in a country. by all firms and organizations in a country.

Per capita GDPPer capita GDP – the GDP divided by the total – the GDP divided by the total population midyear. population midyear.

EconomicsEconomics

Economic developmentEconomic development – the improvement – the improvement of human living standards by economic of human living standards by economic growthgrowth

Developed vs. developing countriesDeveloped vs. developing countries• United Nations Classification:United Nations Classification:

How industrialized nation isHow industrialized nation is Per capita GDPPer capita GDP Middle class incomeMiddle class income

EconomicsEconomics

DevelopedDeveloped (1.2 billion people) (1.2 billion people)• highly industrialized / high per capita GDPhighly industrialized / high per capita GDP• US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand,

countries of Europecountries of Europe

DevelopingDeveloping (5.3 billion people) (5.3 billion people)• 97% of population growth expected here!!!97% of population growth expected here!!!• moderately industrialized / low incomemoderately industrialized / low income• Africa, Asia, & Latin AmericaAfrica, Asia, & Latin America

Developed CountriesDeveloped Countries

Fig. 1-5, p. 9

Developedcountries

Developingcountries

World total

Human Population GrowthHuman Population Growth

Po

pu

lati

on

(b

illi

on

s)

Year

97% of world’s population growth expected in developing nations.

Fig. 1-4, p. 9

Percentageof World's

Developed countries Developing countries

Population

Populationgrowth

Wealth andincome

Resourceuse

Pollutionand waste

19

81

0.1

1.5

85

15

88

12

75

25

Global OutlookGlobal Outlook

Fig. 1-6, p. 10

Global life expectancy doubled since 1950

Infant mortality cut in half since 1955

Food production ahead of population growth since 1978

Air and water pollution down in most developed countries since 1970

Number of people living in povertydropped 6% since 1990

Life expectancy 13 years less indeveloping countries than indeveloped Countries

Infant mortality rate in developing countries over 9times higher than in developedcountries

Harmful environmental effects ofagriculture may limit future foodproduction

Air and water pollution levels inmost developing countries too high

Half of world's workers trying tolive on less than $2 (U.S.) per day

Why do we Study Economic Development?Why do we Study Economic Development?Trade-Offs

Economic Development

Good News Bad News


What are the earth’s main types What are the earth’s main types of resources? How can they be of resources? How can they be

depleted or degraded?depleted or degraded?

3 Types of Resources3 Types of Resources

PerpetualPerpetual – renewed continuously – renewed continuously

RenewableRenewable – replenished fairly rapidly – replenished fairly rapidly through natural processesthrough natural processes

• Replenished as long as it’s not used faster than Replenished as long as it’s not used faster than nature can replace itnature can replace it

NonrenewableNonrenewable – exist in a fixed quantity on – exist in a fixed quantity on EarthEarth• Takes millions/billions of years to renewTakes millions/billions of years to renew

Examples of ResourcesExamples of Resources Perpetual ResourcesPerpetual Resources

• Solar Energy / Wind / Flowing Solar Energy / Wind / Flowing WaterWater

Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources • Forests, grasslands, wild animals, Forests, grasslands, wild animals,

fresh water, fresh air, fertile soilfresh water, fresh air, fertile soil

Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources • Coal / oil / natural gas (fossil Coal / oil / natural gas (fossil

fuels), salt, clay, sand, etcfuels), salt, clay, sand, etc

Perpetual and Renewable ResourcesPerpetual and Renewable Resources Sustainable yieldSustainable yield – highest rate @ which we – highest rate @ which we

can use a resource indefinitely w/o reducing can use a resource indefinitely w/o reducing its availabilityits availability

Environmental degradationEnvironmental degradation – using a – using a resource faster than it can be replaced resource faster than it can be replaced naturallynaturally• Causes supply to shrinkCauses supply to shrink• Examples: urbanizing productive land, excessive Examples: urbanizing productive land, excessive

topsoil erosion, pollution, deforestation, topsoil erosion, pollution, deforestation, overgrazing, loss of biodiversity by habitat lossovergrazing, loss of biodiversity by habitat loss

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the Commons

Tragedy of the CommonsTragedy of the Commons – “If I don’t use it – “If I don’t use it someone else will…” mentalitysomeone else will…” mentality

• ““The little bit I use or pollute is not enough The little bit I use or pollute is not enough to matter”to matter”

• When a resource is ruined, no one can When a resource is ruined, no one can benefit from it -> this is the tragedy!benefit from it -> this is the tragedy!

Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources Energy resources Energy resources

• oil/coal/natural gas – fossil fuels (can’t recycle)oil/coal/natural gas – fossil fuels (can’t recycle)

Metallic mineral resources Metallic mineral resources • iron, copper, aluminum (can recycle)iron, copper, aluminum (can recycle)

Nonmetallic mineral resources Nonmetallic mineral resources • salt, clay, sand, phosphates (too costly / difficult to recycle)salt, clay, sand, phosphates (too costly / difficult to recycle)

Economic depletionEconomic depletion• Resource can be depleted to the point where it costs too much to Resource can be depleted to the point where it costs too much to

obtain what’s leftobtain what’s left

Recycling and reuseRecycling and reuse• Processing nonrenewable waste materials into useable materialsProcessing nonrenewable waste materials into useable materials

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint


Per Capita Ecological FootprintPer Capita Ecological Footprint• The amount of biologically productive land The amount of biologically productive land

& water needed to supply each person w/ & water needed to supply each person w/ the resources he or she uses, & to absorb the resources he or she uses, & to absorb the waste from this resource usethe waste from this resource use

• We are using renewable resources 21% We are using renewable resources 21% faster than the Earth can replace themfaster than the Earth can replace them

• It would take 1.21 planet Earths to support It would take 1.21 planet Earths to support our current production & consumption our current production & consumption rates foreverrates forever

U.S. Ecological FootprintU.S. Ecological FootprintIf they rest of the world caught up to our If they rest of the world caught up to our

consumption rates, we would need 4 consumption rates, we would need 4 earths to support us!!!earths to support us!!!

Fig. 1-7, p. 11


Global Global Ecological Ecological FootprintsFootprints


What are the main types of What are the main types of pollution, and what can you do pollution, and what can you do

about pollution?about pollution?

PollutionPollution What is pollution? What is pollution?

• Any addition to air, water soil or food that Any addition to air, water soil or food that threatens health, survival, or activities, of threatens health, survival, or activities, of humans or other organisms. humans or other organisms.

Natural PollutionNatural Pollution

Types of PollutionTypes of Pollution Point SourcesPoint Sources

• single identifiable source single identifiable source

Nonpoint SourcesNonpoint Sources • dispersed and hard to identifydispersed and hard to identify

Solutions to PollutionSolutions to Pollution Pollution preventionPollution prevention (input control) (input control)

• Reduces or eliminates production of Reduces or eliminates production of pollutantspollutants

• Works better & is CHEAPERWorks better & is CHEAPER

Pollution cleanupPollution cleanup (output control) (output control)• Cleaning up or diluting pollutants Cleaning up or diluting pollutants

after they’re producedafter they’re produced

Disadvantages of output controlDisadvantages of output control• Temporary fixTemporary fix• Clean up of one area pollutes anotherClean up of one area pollutes another• COSTS TOO MUCH AFTER THE FACT!!!COSTS TOO MUCH AFTER THE FACT!!!

http://youtu.be/2AAa0gd7ClM


What are the harmful What are the harmful environmental effects of poverty environmental effects of poverty

and affluence?and affluence?

Environmental Problems: Environmental Problems: Causes and ConnectionsCauses and Connections

Poverty & Population GrowthPoverty & Population Growth• Desperate for survival, the world’s poor Desperate for survival, the world’s poor

deplete & degrade their environment for deplete & degrade their environment for short term survivalshort term survival

• Don’t have the luxury Don’t have the luxury to think about sustainability to think about sustainability when worried about survivalwhen worried about survival

Poverty & Premature DeathPoverty & Premature Death

Fig. 1-12, p. 15

Malnutrition

Susceptibility to Disease

Lack of Clean Drinking Water

Respiratory Disease from bad air

Fig. 1-11, p. 14

Lack ofaccess to

Number of people(% of world's population)

Adequatesanitation

Electricity

Clean drinkingwater

Adequatehealth care

Enough fuel forheating and

cooking

Enough foodfor good health

2.4 billion (37%)

2 billion (31%)

1.6 billion (25%)

1.1 billion (17%)

1.1 billion (17%)

1.1 billion (17%)

Some Harmful Results of PovertySome Harmful Results of Poverty

Economics and EthicsEconomics and Ethics

AffluenzaAffluenza – addiction to consumption – addiction to consumption• Unsustainable resource use!Unsustainable resource use!

Takes 27 tractor trailer loads of resources Takes 27 tractor trailer loads of resources per year for one American!!!per year for one American!!!

Global Marketing & AffluenzaGlobal Marketing & Affluenza

We have been programmed to consume! We have been programmed to consume! Styles change every year!Styles change every year!

What can be done?What can be done?

Admit there’s a problemAdmit there’s a problem Do I need this or just want it?Do I need this or just want it? Second hand / borrowSecond hand / borrow

Law of Progressive SimplificationLaw of Progressive Simplification – – transfer of energy from material to transfer of energy from material to nonmaterial things.nonmaterial things.

Positive Effects of AffluenzaPositive Effects of Affluenza

BenefitsBenefits• Affluent countries have more money Affluent countries have more money

available for improving environmental available for improving environmental qualityquality

Cleaner air / waterCleaner air / water More foodMore food RecyclingRecycling


What are the basic causes of What are the basic causes of today’s environmental problems, today’s environmental problems,

and how are these causes and how are these causes connected?connected?

5 Major Causes of Environmental 5 Major Causes of Environmental ProblemsProblems

1.1. Population GrowthPopulation Growth

2.2. Wasteful Resource UseWasteful Resource Use

3.3. PovertyPoverty

4.4. Poor Environmental AccountingPoor Environmental Accounting

5.5. Ecological IgnoranceEcological Ignorance

Fig. 1-10, p. 14

Causes of Environmental Problems

Populationgrowth

Unsustainableresource use

Poverty Not including theenvironmental costsof economic goodsand services in theirmarket prices

Trying to manage andsimplify nature with toolittle knowledge abouthow it works

Causes of Environmental ProblemsCauses of Environmental Problems

Fig. 1-9, p. 13

Natural Capital Use, Depletion and Natural Capital Use, Depletion and DegradationDegradation

EARTHSOLAR

CAPITAL

HumanEconomic

andCulturalSystems

Human Capital

Natural Capital

Goods and services

Heat

Depletion of nonrenewable resources

Degradation of renewable resources

Pollution and waste

Recycling and reuse

Formula for Environmental ImpactFormula for Environmental Impact

Environmental ImpactEnvironmental Impact

==

Population Population

x x

Consumption (resource use) Consumption (resource use)

x x

Technological ImpactTechnological Impact

Fig. 1-13, p. 16

Environmental Impact: Environmental Impact: Developing vs. DevelopedDeveloping vs. Developed

Developing Countries

X X =

X X =

X X =

Developed Countries

Population (P)Consumption per

person (affluence, A)

Technological impact per unit of consumption (T)

Environmental impact of

population (I)

Question #9Question #9

Is our current course Is our current course sustainable? What is sustainable? What is

environmentally sustainable environmentally sustainable development?development?

Is Our Present Course Sustainable?Is Our Present Course Sustainable?

Different views Different views

• Technological optimistsTechnological optimists – – Claim technological advances will save us all. Claim technological advances will save us all.

• Environmental pessimistsEnvironmental pessimists – – Claim environmental situation is hopeless. Claim environmental situation is hopeless.

How Would You Vote? How Would You Vote?

Environmentally Sustainable Environmentally Sustainable Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

Provide Economic RewardsProvide Economic Rewards • To encourage sustainable & responsible To encourage sustainable & responsible

economic growtheconomic growth• To encourage consumers to purchase To encourage consumers to purchase

environmentally responsible productsenvironmentally responsible products

Create Economic PenaltiesCreate Economic Penalties• To discourage harmful & unsustainable To discourage harmful & unsustainable

economic growtheconomic growth

CurrentEmphasis

SustainabilityEmphasis

Pollution cleanup

Waste disposal(bury or burn)

Protecting species

Environmentaldegradation

Increased resourceuse

Population growth

Depleting anddegrading naturalcapital)

Pollution prevention(cleaner production)

Waste prevention& reduction

Protecting wherespecies live(habitat protection)

Environmentalrestoration

Less wasteful (more efficient)resource use

Population stabilization bydecreasing birth rates

Protecting natural capitaland living off the biological interest it provides

Fig. 1-14, p. 18

Sustainability RevolutionSustainability Revolution

Bottled WaterBottled Water

Most bottled water is tap water

Others deplete aquifers

Adequate recycling is not taking place

Cost of recycling PET plastic resin

BETTER WATERBETTER WATER

Recycled sewer water

Higher quality than from aquifers

Namibia only country in the world

Trust of the recycling process

PACIFIC TRASH PATCHPACIFIC TRASH PATCH

Floating island of trash in the Pacific Ocean

Size of Texas or bigger

Mostly plastic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pRy88R-4BI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en4XzfR0FE8

Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability

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