GEOG 203 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Sustainable Development, Cryosphere, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
23 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
GEOG 203- Canadian Environmental Issues
Chapter 1: Introduction: Change and Challenge
• Two concepts relating to a vision for the future: sustainable development and
resilience.
• Introduction to environmental change and challenge with reference to the global, national,
and regional levels
Introduction
- 9/10 of the hottest years have occurred since 2000: implicitly implies the urgency of the
need for a change in behavior/attitudes
- Strong evidence suggests it is the result of human activity
- Not just population growth but mostly an increase in consumption
- This brings up the question:
How do we continue to meet basic human needs while protecting the integrity of biophysical
systems? These questions:
- Force us to think about conditions both today and in the future.
- Remind us that an understanding of environmental and resource systems requires both
natural and social sciences
- Pose fundamental challenges as to whether we can realistically expect to manage or
control natural systems or whether we should focus on trying to manage human
interactions with natural systems
Human population growth is putting a strain on the planet, but so are consumption patterns of
the more affluent sectors of society
- These factors are leading to unprecedented changes in global systems
A particular challenge is global climate change
- Important to regard the role that Canada plays in global environmental change
(both as the second-largest country on Earth and as a source of major carbon resources
[forests and oil reserves]
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
- The decisions made by Canada regarding these resources have global implications: it is
therefore important to understand the governance aspects of environmental
management in Canada to appreciate how decisions are made and how stakeholders
[such as me] can become more involved
-
How are environment, resources, and society defined?
- We use indicators (ecological footprints) to measure environmental change and
response and discuss how these indicators are used.
-
Defining Environment Resources
- Environment: the habitat or home on which humans and others depend to survive
o Atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere and biosphere
- Resources: more specific
o Forests, wildlife, oceans, rivers, lakes, minerals and petroleum
o Intrinsic and Extrinsic values, what they mean to humans
Certain people consider that resources are the only components of the environment that are of
use to the human species
• Anthropocentric view
Value is defined relative to human interests, wants, and needs.
• Ecocentric or biocentric view
Defined as an aspect of the environment that is valued simply because of its existence and its
right to exist.
• Technocentric view
Value system that is centered on technology and its ability to control and protect the
environment. Technocentrics have absolute faith in technology and industry and firmly believe
that humans have control over nature.
Three waves regarding Approaches to Environmental Management
• First wave (late nineteenth century)
Inventory, protect and extend (conserve) wilderness areas
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
• Second wave (early twentieth century)
Identify environmental degradation—urge governments to reduce the damage (environmental
activism)
• Third wave (late twentieth century)
Remediate environmental degradation (sustainable development)
Alternative Approaches to Understanding Complex Natural and Socio-
economic Systems (the Disciplines)
Know them, be able to define and differentiate them (slides 11-13)
• Disciplinary
This approach is organized around the concepts, theories, assumptions, and methods associated
with an academic discipline.
May limit understanding of complex systems.
• Multidisciplinary
Specialists examine an issue from each of their disciplinary perspectives; their findings and
insights are synthesized for an increased understanding.
• Cross-disciplinary
A specialist borrows concepts, theories, and methods from other disciplines to enhance their
perspective.
May enhance understanding; lead to misunderstandings.
• Interdisciplinary
Specialists work together from the beginning of a project—synthesis and integration of
understanding.
Time-consuming
Requires trust, patience, and self-confidence
• Transdisciplinary
Extends the interdisciplinary perspective by seeking a holistic understanding that transcends
disciplinary boundaries, not viewing them in the context of any one discipline and weighing
each area equally.
Can enhance understanding or lead to confusion and may lead to information overload.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Chapter 1: introduction: change and challenge: two concepts relating to a vision for the future: sustainable development and resilience. Introduction to environmental change and challenge with reference to the global, national, and regional levels. 9/10 of the hottest years have occurred since 2000: implicitly implies the urgency of the need for a change in behavior/attitudes. Strong evidence suggests it is the result of human activity. Not just population growth but mostly an increase in consumption. Force us to think about conditions both today and in the future. Remind us that an understanding of environmental and resource systems requires both natural and social sciences. Pose fundamental challenges as to whether we can realistically expect to manage or control natural systems or whether we should focus on trying to manage human interactions with natural systems. Human population growth is putting a strain on the planet, but so are consumption patterns of the more affluent sectors of society.
