Chapter 2 Environmental Sustainability and Human Values

Sustainability & The Commons Garrett Hardin “The Tragedy of the Commons” Sharing common resources Resource collapse Happening with global commons today Stewardship: shared responsibility

Sustainable Development Economic growth that: Meets needs of the present Does not compromise future Meets needs of world’s poor Can occur only within limits of the environment

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Consumption Using goods and services for our needs Minimizes use of resources Eliminate consumption overpopulation

Sustainable Consumption Requires eradication of poverty Poor will need to increase consumption: why? Will require major lifestyle changes

Environmental Ethics Application of ethical standards to environmental questions Based on values, which change Consider people today and in the future Involves many tradeoffs

Environmental Worldviews Helps us make sense of: How the environment works Our place in the environment Right and wrong behaviors Two extremes Western Deep ecology

Western Worldview Expansionist; frontier attitude Human-centered, utilitarian Exploit nature Accumulate wealth

Deep Ecology Worldview Based on harmony with nature Spiritual respect for life All species are equal Requires radical shift in modern thinking Need for population control

Voluntary Simplicity How should you live? Material wealth not required for happiness Values and character important How can you make changes?

Environmental Justice Right of everyone to protection from environmental harm Moral sense of fairness & equality Who is exposed to the most pollutants? Where are many landfills and toxic waste facilities located?

A Plan Is Needed Carrying capacity Maximum population that can be sustained What is our carrying capacity? Human population must be stabilized Overconsumption must stop

Development Goal: improve quality of human life Unequal distribution of resources Many live on less than $2 per day How can this problem be solved? What can you do?

Education Is Key! Public must be aware Support for environmental education Need for more trained professionals

Biodiversity & Us Biodiversity: variety of living organisms Humans are part of Earth’s web of life What does biodiversity do for us? Ecosystem services

Protecting Biodiversity Much biodiversity is in the developing world Need for more scientists Proper management of land Every country needs a plan

Where Do We Start? Individuals matter! Simple, small changes; reduce consumption There is no “away” National level Commitment to sustainability Know your leaders

What Does The Future Hold? How do you want to live? Most people need to reconnect with the environment More to life than technology

Case Study: World Summits 1992: Rio de Janeiro Focus on international environmental issues Goal: sustainable development 2002: Johannesburg Assess progress Little success: why? Goal: reduce poverty

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1937 “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1937