chapter 20Review
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In this chapter, we identified sustainability as one of the ultimate goals of environmental science. It is often achieved through the use of sound economic and business practices as well as effective environmental regulations and laws. There are international agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme and a number of U.S. agencies to enforce regulations and laws. The Environmental Protection Agency oversees all governmental efforts related to the environment. Different worldviews affect how people approach the goal of sustainability. Proper stewardship of the natural world and a reduction of poverty are challenges that must be met if people are to achieve sustainability.
Module 65 Sustainability and Economics
Explain why efforts to achieve sustainability must consider both sound environmental science and economic analysis.
Sustainable environmental systems must allow for maintaining air, water, land, and biosphere systems and must also maintain human well-
Describe how economic health depends on the availability of natural capital and basic human welfare.
Sustainable systems must include a consideration of externalities. Gross domestic product (GDP) is the value of all products and services produced in a year in a given country. Genuine progress indicator (GPI) includes measures of personal consumption, income distribution, levels of higher education, resource depletion, pollution, and health of the population. Economic assets, or capital, can come from the natural systems on Earth, from humans, or from the manufactured products made by humans. Valuing all three kinds of capital is essential to systems that are sustainable.
Module 66 Regulations and Equity
Explain the role of agencies and regulations in efforts to protect our natural and human capital.
Once a society believes it has enough scientific information to act with the intent of protecting or reducing harm to the environment, it must determine the rules and regulations it wishes to enact. A group of government agencies in the United States handles the areas that offer protection to the environment and humans. Policies are enacted through passage and modification of laws.
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Describe the approaches to measuring and achieving sustainability.
The Human Development Index combines life expectancy, knowledge and education, and standard of living as a measure of human status. The Human Poverty Index measures the percentage of population in a country that is suffering from deprivation. A green tax can be used to internalize externalities or reduce environmental harm. The triple bottom line accounts for three factors—
Discuss the relationship among sustainability, poverty, personal action, and stewardship.
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