PowerPoint ® Lecture prepared by Gary A. Beluzo The Driving Forces of Environmental Change 11
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES Figure CO11 Explain the terms that comprise the IPAT equation. Identify examples that illustrate how technology can reduce or increase environmental impact. Describe the net effect that population growth, affluence, and technological change has had on gasoline use in the United States. Cite the reasons why firms prefer market- based incentives in environmental policy to command-and-control approaches. Explain how personal and cultural beliefs affect environmental change. After reading this chapter, students will be able to
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company The Smiths New Year’s Resolution Inventoried all the energy and materials they used and waste they produced More income = more consumerism Technology also has impact Growing income, family size, and technology choices determine consumerism So do attitudes, values, and beliefs
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company The Root Causes of Environmental Impact Impact (I) = Population (P) x Affluence (A) x Technology (T) I = People x Economic Activity x Environmental Impact People Economic Activity
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Land Conversion for Food Production
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Solid Waste Generation Population size Population density NYC fills 6,000 garbage trucks/day 67% exported to other states!
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Population and Gasoline Use
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Population and Water Quality
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Affluence and Solid Waste
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Poverty and Environmental Health Environmental Justice?
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Technology Determines the types and quantities of resources extracted Determines nature of waste generated A double-edged sword. Why? Technology Recipe Capital Labor Energy Materials Information
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Technology and Fuel Economy Rising gasoline prices in 1970s and Japanese competition decreased engine size But in the 1980s the rise of light trucks, minivans, and SUVs increased engine size!
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Feedlots and Land Use
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company The IPAT for Gasoline Use Gallons consumed = # vehicles x miles driven x gallons consumed vehiclemiles driven Impact = Population x Affluence x Technology
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company How Societies Choose Technologies Most nations use the market Firms maximize profits by minimizing cost of production But what about “wrong prices” and what causes them? externalities subsidies Figure 11.17
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Market Failures and the Environment In 2005, gas was $2-4 Included price to pump oil, refine it to gasoline, ship it to filling stations, and pay attendants Also taxes paid to government Cost did not include environmental impact Loss of barrier islands Pipeline leaks Air pollution Global climate change
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Cultural Attitudes
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Cultural Beliefs Judeo-Christian tradition has led to Anthropocentric perspective of the environment. Seeks to control nature for the purpose of satisfying human needs. Has shaped technology for the past 200 years. No limit to levels of human population and affluence. Biocentric perspective holds that all living things have the right to exist. Ecocentric view holds that entire ecosystems have a right to exist.
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Environmental Policy
Copyright © 2007 McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Market-Based Incentives? An alternative to command and control Pollution Taxes Tradable Permits Cap and Trade System Figure 11.20