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Published byChastity Warren Modified over 8 years ago
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The Environment and Society Chapter 1.2
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“Tragedy of the Commons” Garrett Hardin, 1968 Short term interests of individuals vs. long term welfare of society.
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Economics & Environment Supply & Demand Greater the demand, greater the worth Ex: oil Costs and Benefits Cost-benefit analysis balances cost of the action against the benefits one expects from it. Risk Assessment Part of cost-benefit analysis. Tool that helps create cost-effective ways to protect health/ environment Which is more risky: riding a bike or nuclear power?
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The “haves” and “have nots” Unequal distribution of wealth in world. Developed countries: have higher economies, slower pop. Growth, diverse industrial economies, stronger social support systems. Ex: U.S., Canada, Japan, Western Europe.
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Developing Countries: have lower average incomes, simple and agriculture based economies, rapid population growth. Developed and developing countries have different consumption patterns.
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Population Consumption Most enviro problems-> 2 problems Human population is increasing Human consumption is increasing
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Local Population Pressures Area’s population to resources ratio Overpopulated area: struggle for survival. Forests->bare Topsoil->exhausted Animals->extinction Malnutrition, starvation, disease
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Can’t keep up: food production, education, job creation. Approx 7 billion in world. Over 5 Billion in developing countries Less than half have access to enough food, drinking water, sanitation.
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Consumption Trends Developed nations (20% of world’s pop.) use 75% of world’s resources Creates more waste and pollution per person than in developing countries
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Ecological Footprint Productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country. Crops, grazing, forest products, housing, ocean area for seafood and forest area to absorb air pollution.
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What’s YOUR footprint? Computer Lab Activity
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Enviro Science in Context Different sides of issues are complex. Humans are biased= can distort information. Education leads to informed decisions. Listen to opinions of other, identify your own bias.
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A Sustainable World Sustainability : humans needs are met in a way in which human population can survive indefinitely. Is today’s world sustainable? NO! We are consuming, consuming!
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We MUST find solutions to allow people and organisms on all parts our our planet live in a clean, healthy environment and have the resources they need for a good life.
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