http://www. youtube. com/watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_694634&feature=iv&src_vid=d7ep_8SLQh0&v=FlQn1KwW4Es

The world focuses on The earth system

The world focuses on The earth system In 1992, representatives from 172 nations gathered in Rio de Janeiro.

The world focuses on The earth system Ambitious and bursting with excitement, the delegates could not wait to embark upon a life changing experience.

The world focuses on The earth system Until of course they realized that Carnival was actually held in February.

The world focuses on The earth system Until of course they realized that Carnival was actually held in February. Cue sad trombone sound.

The world focuses on The earth system Dejected and beyond consolation, the delegates instead decided to gather for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

The world focuses on The earth system Better known as…

The world focuses on The earth system Better known as… THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT

The earth summit The Summit’s message was that nothing less than a transformation of our attitudes and behaviour would bring about the changes necessary to ensure a healthy planet for generations to come.

The earth summit The message reflected the complexity of the problems facing us:

The earth summit The message reflected the complexity of the problems facing us: That poverty as well as excessive consumption by affluent populations place damaging stress on the environment.

The earth summit The message reflected the complexity of the problems facing us: Governments recognized the need to redirect international and national plans and policies to ensure that all economic decisions fully took into account any environmental impact.

The earth summit The message produced results, making eco-efficiency a guiding principle for business and governments alike.

The earth summit Some of the Principles included:

The earth summit Some of the Principles included: Patterns of production — particularly the production of toxic components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste — were to be scrutinized in a systematic manner by the UN and Governments alike.

The earth summit Some of the Principles included: Alternative sources of energy were being sought to replace the use of fossil fuels which are linked to global climate change.

The earth summit Some of the Principles included: New reliance on public transportation systems being emphasized in order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smog.

The earth summit Some of the Principles included: There is much greater awareness of and concern over the growing scarcity of water.

The earth summit Some of the Principles included: Food Security. All people of the world should have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food at all time to maintain a healthy and active life.

The earth summit The Rio Earth Summit was highlighted by a speech from then 13 year old Severn Suzuki.

The earth summit The Rio Earth Summit was highlighted by a speech from then 13 year old Severn Suzuki. The event was later referred to as “The Girl Who Silenced the World”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_694634&feature=iv&src_vid=d7ep_8SLQh0&v=FlQn1KwW4Es

The earth summit The Rio Declaration and Suzuki’s speech reflect the growing perspective of Earth as a single, closed system. They also reflect the realization that development within the system must be sustainable.

Sustainable development The term ‘sustainable development’ was popularised by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in its 1987 report entitled Our Common Future.

Sustainable development One of the most important outcomes of Our Common Future was the realisation that environment and development issues are inextricably linked and therefore worrying about either environment or development on its own was inappropriate.

Sustainable development The special contribution of the concept of sustainable development is that it emphasises respect for cultural values and, thus, does not see economic indicators as the sole measure of development.

Sustainable development Rather, sustainable development represents the balanced integration of social and environmental objectives with economic development.

Sustainable development These three aspects of sustainable development – society, environment and economics – were named as the three pillars of sustainable development at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

PILLARS Of Sustainable development Environment … an awareness of the resources and fragility of the physical environment and the effects on it of human activity and decisions, with a commitment to factoring environmental concerns into social and economic policy development.

PILLARS Of Sustainable development Society … an understanding of social institutions and their role in change and development, as well as the democratic and participatory systems which give opportunity for the expression of opinion, the selection of governments, the forging of consensus and the resolution of differences.

PILLARS Of Sustainable development Economy … skills to earn a living as well as a sensitivity to the limits and potential of economic growth and its impact on society and on the environment, with a commitment to assess personal and societal levels of consumption out of concern for the environment and for social justice.

PILLARS Of Sustainable development Economy … skills to earn a living as well as a sensitivity to the limits and potential of economic growth and its impact on society and on the environment, with a commitment to assess personal and societal levels of consumption out of concern for the environment and for social justice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpIxZiBpGU0

Sustainability In this analogy, the Earth is a house which requires all three pillars to build a strong and secure roof.

Sustainability In this analogy, the Earth is a house which requires all three pillars to build a strong and secure roof. The house comprised mutually reinforcing and interdependent parts.

Sustainability While the UN recognizes the three pillars, Aboriginal groups have added the fourth pillar:

Sustainability While the UN recognizes the three pillars, Aboriginal groups have added the fourth pillar:

reflection Respond to the following reflection questions: Explain why the Earth can be characterized as a closed system, while parts of it are considered an open system. What makes the systems model a useful tool for studying environmental impacts? Use excerpts from Suzuki’s speech to support your answer. The Medicine Wheel of Sustainability holds at the centre “healthy land, healthy nation, healthy people. Discuss how these are interconnected. How might a specific event or action within the environment quadrant affect the three other quadrants?

Medicine wheel