Why Are Some Actions Not Sustainable

Ch. 1 Basic Concepts Key Issue 4 Why Are Some Actions Not Sustainable? I. SUSTAINABILITY AND RESOURCES 1. Define resource: a substance in the environment that is useful to people 2. Define sustainability: the use of Earth’s resources in ways that ensure their availability in the future 3. Differentiate between a renewable and nonrenewable resource. Renewable resources- produced by nation and doesn’t pollute and consumed by humans Non-renewable resources- pollutes and consumed by humans 4. What are some negative ways humans have impacted the sustainability of resources? pollution of air, water,and soil 5. What are some positive ways humans have impacted the sustainability of resources? recycling, conserved trees and wildlife, reducing petroleum and coal uses as much as possible 6. Describe the three (3) pillars of sustainability: a. environment- conservation vs preservation b. economy- tourism c. society- consumer choices that affects the environment 7. Differentiate between conservation and preservation. Conservation- the sustainable use and management of Earth’s natural resources to meet human needs such as food, medicine, and recreation Preservation- the maintenance of resources in the present condition with as little human impact as possible 8. What are the two main criticisms of sustainability? a. human activities have no exceeded Earth’s capacity because the resource availability has no maximum b. earth’s resources have no absolute limit because the definition of resources changes drastically and inevitably over time 9. a. What one thing do both defenders and critics of sustainability agree upon? The gap between the poor and rich should be filled b. Do you think this shouldactually happen? YES II. SUSTAINABILITY AND EARTH’S PHYSICAL SYSTEMS 10. Differentiate between biotic and abiotic systems. biotic- composed of living organisms abiotic- composed of nonliving and inorganic organisms 11. Describe the three abiotic physical systems. a. atmosphere- thin layer of gases surrounding Earth (air) b. hydrosphere- all water on or near Earth’s surface (water) c. lithosphere- Earth’s crust or portion of the upper mantle directly below Earth’s crust (crust) 12. Define climate: long term average weather conditions at a certain location 13. Identify Vladimir Kӧppen’s five main climate regions: A. Tropical B. Dry C. Warm mid-latitude (temperate) D. Cold mid-latitude (continental) E. Polar 14. How does climate affect the distribution of people on the Earth’s surface? Humans have limited tolerance for extremes so avoid areas that are too hot, cold, wet, or dry 15. Why would maps of Earth’s hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere be important in the quest for sustainability? topography and ecosystems can be derived from them III. GEOGRAPHY, SUSTAINABILITY AND ECOLOGY 16. Define ecosystem: group of living organisms and abiotic spheres with which they interact 17. Define ecology: scientific study of ecosystems 18. What are some ways humans affect the biosphere? airpollution, water pollution, extinction of food, wasting of resources, erosion, soil depletion 19. Take notes on each of the following terms: a. Cultural Ecology - study of human-environmet relationships b. Environmental Determinism - physical environment causes social development, laws from natural sciences should be applied to understanding relationships between physical environment and human actions (the geography, climate, resources, and location c. Environmental Possibilism - (& how it relates to sustainability) physical environment may limit some actions but people can adjust environment. Certain crops grow better in certain environments. IV. SUSTAINABLE ENVIRIONMENTAL CHANGE 20. Complete the case study which describe human modifications of and adaptation to the local environment. To do so, on the left side annotate the blank map by shading and labeling the map with information critical to understanding how people in the Netherlands have modified their environment. On the right side, bullet brief notes about each scenario. A) THE NETHERLANDS Netherlands is an example of possiblism.