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The Latin root 'sustinere' implies that sustainability is fundamentally about the ability to persist and endure over an extended period.
Answer: True
The Latin root 'sustinere' directly translates to 'to hold up, support, uphold, or endure,' which forms the basis of sustainability's meaning as the ability to continue over time.
UNESCO defines 'sustainability' as the processes and pathways to achieve a goal, while 'sustainable development' is the long-term goal itself.
Answer: False
UNESCO defines 'sustainability' as the long-term goal and 'sustainable development' as the processes and pathways to achieve that goal, which is the inverse of the statement.
Sustainability is a 'normative concept,' meaning its pursuit involves aligning scientific knowledge with societal values and aspirations for the future.
Answer: True
As a 'normative concept,' sustainability is based on what is valued and desirable, requiring the integration of scientific knowledge with societal aspirations for the future.
The Brundtland Commission's 1987 report defined sustainable development as meeting future generations' needs without compromising the present generation's ability to meet their own.
Answer: False
The Brundtland Commission's 1987 report defined sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The Oxford Dictionary of English defines sustainability as the property of being environmentally sustainable, specifically avoiding the long-term depletion of natural resources.
Answer: True
The Oxford Dictionary of English defines sustainability as the property of being environmentally sustainable, specifically focusing on avoiding the long-term depletion of natural resources.
Hans Carl von Carlowitz introduced 'Nachhaltigkeit' in the 18th century, applying it to agriculture to ensure continuous crop yields.
Answer: False
Hans Carl von Carlowitz introduced 'Nachhaltigkeit' in the 18th century, applying it to forestry to ensure the long-term responsible use of timber, not agriculture.
Historically, the concept of sustainability broadened from forestry to a general preservation of environmental resources for future generations, influenced by a 1972 book by Ernst Basler.
Answer: True
The concept of sustainability historically broadened from its origins in forestry to a more general preservation of environmental resources for future generations, a shift influenced by Ernst Basler's 1972 book.
The Brundtland Report viewed sustainable development as a global concept linking environmental and social issues, emphasizing its importance for both developing and industrialized nations.
Answer: True
The Brundtland Report indeed described the environment and development as inseparable, viewing sustainable development as a global concept linking environmental and social issues relevant to both developing and industrialized nations.
Paul Crutzen proposed the concept of the Anthropocene to describe a geological epoch where human activities significantly impact Earth's systems.
Answer: True
Paul Crutzen is credited with proposing the concept of the Anthropocene, recognizing the profound and lasting impact of human activities on Earth's geology and ecosystems.
The vagueness of the term 'sustainability' is universally seen as a negative aspect, hindering its practical application.
Answer: False
While often criticized for its vagueness, the 'fuzziness' of sustainability can also be viewed positively, fostering flexibility and enabling a wider array of diverse approaches to achieve its fundamental goals.
What is the fundamental meaning of sustainability, derived from its Latin origin 'sustinere'?
Answer: The ability to continue over a long period of time, implying persistence and resilience.
Derived from the Latin 'sustinere,' the fundamental meaning of sustainability is the capacity to persist and endure over an extended duration.
According to UNESCO, what is the distinction between 'sustainability' and 'sustainable development'?
Answer: Sustainability is the long-term goal, and sustainable development refers to the processes to reach that goal.
UNESCO differentiates 'sustainability' as the overarching long-term goal and 'sustainable development' as the operational processes and pathways undertaken to achieve that goal.
What does it mean for sustainability to be considered a 'normative concept'?
Answer: It is based on what people value or find desirable, connecting science with aspirations.
To be a 'normative concept' means that sustainability is rooted in societal values and aspirations, requiring the integration of scientific knowledge with what is considered desirable for the future.
The 1983 UN Brundtland Commission significantly influenced the modern understanding of sustainability by:
Answer: Providing a widely adopted definition of sustainable development in its 1987 report.
The 1983 UN Brundtland Commission profoundly shaped the modern understanding of sustainability by delivering a widely adopted definition of sustainable development in its influential 1987 report, 'Our Common Future'.
Who is credited with introducing the concept of 'Nachhaltigkeit' (sustainability) in the context of forestry?
Answer: Hans Carl von Carlowitz
Hans Carl von Carlowitz is recognized for introducing the concept of 'Nachhaltigkeit' (sustainability) in the 18th century, specifically within the domain of forestry management.
How did the Brundtland Report describe the relationship between the environment and development in the context of sustainability?
Answer: As inseparable, linking environmental and social issues globally.
The Brundtland Report articulated the relationship between environment and development as inseparable, framing sustainable development as a global concept that integrates environmental and social concerns.
Who proposed the concept of the Anthropocene, a geological epoch acknowledging human impact on Earth's systems?
Answer: Paul Crutzen
Paul Crutzen is credited with proposing the concept of the Anthropocene, recognizing the profound and lasting impact of human activities on Earth's geology and ecosystems.
How can the vagueness of the term 'sustainability' be seen as a positive aspect?
Answer: It allows for more flexibility and diverse approaches to achieving its basic goal.
The inherent 'fuzziness' or vagueness of sustainability can be advantageous, fostering flexibility and enabling a wider array of diverse approaches to achieve its fundamental objective of maintaining or improving desirable conditions.
Modern definitions of sustainability primarily emphasize the economic dimension, with environmental concerns being secondary.
Answer: False
Modern usage of sustainability, particularly in discussions of climate change and biodiversity loss, often emphasizes the environmental dimension, not primarily the economic.
The economic dimension of sustainability is controversial due to the inherent tension between universal welfare and environmental conservation.
Answer: True
The economic dimension is controversial due to the tension between achieving 'welfare and prosperity for all' and the imperative of environmental conservation, often requiring difficult trade-offs.
Sustainable development has a single goal: to meet human development goals.
Answer: False
Sustainable development has two linked goals: meeting human development goals and enabling natural systems to provide necessary resources and services, not a single goal.
Scholars commonly distinguish two dimensions of sustainability: environmental and economic.
Answer: False
Scholars commonly distinguish three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic, not just two.
The popular Venn diagram representing the three intersecting circles of sustainability first appeared in a 1997 article by Edward Barbier.
Answer: False
The popular Venn diagram of sustainability's three intersecting circles first appeared in a 1987 article by Edward Barbier, not 1997.
Many experts consider the environmental dimension of sustainability to be the most important because it sets limits for economic and social development.
Answer: True
Many experts indeed consider the environmental dimension, or planetary integrity, to be paramount because it establishes the fundamental limits for both economic and social development.
The 'SDG wedding cake model' illustrates that the economy is the foundational basis for society and the environment.
Answer: False
The 'SDG wedding cake model' illustrates a hierarchy where the environmental dimension is foundational, containing society, which in turn contains the economy, thereby emphasizing environmental limits.
The Brundtland report asserts that poverty is solely a consequence of environmental problems, not a cause.
Answer: False
The Brundtland report explicitly states that poverty both causes environmental problems and results from them, highlighting a reciprocal relationship.
A socially sustainable society is one where people do not face structural obstacles in areas like health, influence, and impartiality.
Answer: True
A socially sustainable society is defined as one where individuals are not subjected to structural impediments in fundamental areas such as health, influence, competence, impartiality, and meaning-making.
Some scholars argue that all domains of sustainability, including ecological and economic, are fundamentally social, placing social issues at the core.
Answer: True
Some scholars indeed contend that all domains of sustainability, including ecological and economic, are fundamentally social, thereby positioning social issues at the very core of sustainability discourse.
Gender equity is irrelevant to social sustainability, as climate change impacts all groups equally.
Answer: False
Gender equity is a crucial aspect of social sustainability because women and marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by climate-related issues and often lack representation in environmental policymaking.
Weak sustainability posits that human-made capital can largely replace natural capital, often through technological advancements.
Answer: True
Weak sustainability is characterized by the belief that human-made capital can largely substitute for natural capital, often facilitated by technological progress.
Which dimension of sustainability is often emphasized in modern usage, particularly when addressing climate change and biodiversity loss?
Answer: The environmental dimension.
In modern discourse, particularly concerning climate change and biodiversity loss, the environmental dimension of sustainability is frequently emphasized.
What is the primary controversy surrounding the economic dimension of sustainability?
Answer: The tension between 'welfare and prosperity for all' and environmental conservation.
The core controversy in the economic dimension of sustainability stems from the inherent tension and potential trade-offs between universal welfare and the imperative of environmental conservation.
What are the two linked goals of sustainable development?
Answer: To meet human development goals and enable natural systems to provide necessary resources and services.
Sustainable development is characterized by two interconnected goals: fulfilling human development needs and ensuring that natural systems can continuously provide the essential resources and ecosystem services for society and economies.
Which of the following are the three commonly distinguished dimensions of sustainability?
Answer: Environmental, social, and economic.
Scholars consistently identify environmental, social, and economic as the three core dimensions, or pillars, of sustainability.
Who was the economist responsible for the popular Venn diagram representing the three intersecting circles of sustainability in 1987?
Answer: Edward Barbier
The economist Edward Barbier is credited with introducing the widely recognized Venn diagram illustrating the three intersecting circles of sustainability in a 1987 article.
Which dimension of sustainability do many experts consider the most important, setting limits for economic and social development?
Answer: The environmental dimension (planetary integrity).
Many experts prioritize the environmental dimension, often termed planetary or ecological integrity, as it fundamentally sets the boundaries for both economic and social development.
What do the 'nested ellipses' diagram and the 'SDG wedding cake model' illustrate regarding sustainability dimensions?
Answer: A hierarchy where the environmental dimension is foundational, containing society, which contains the economy.
Both the 'nested ellipses' diagram and the 'SDG wedding cake model' depict a hierarchical relationship among sustainability dimensions, positioning the environmental dimension as the foundational basis that encompasses society and, subsequently, the economy.
How does the Brundtland report connect poverty with environmental problems?
Answer: It states that poverty both causes environmental problems and results from them.
The Brundtland report establishes a reciprocal relationship between poverty and environmental problems, asserting that poverty acts as both a cause and a consequence of environmental degradation.
What is one definition of a socially sustainable society?
Answer: A society where people do not face structural obstacles in key areas like health, influence, and impartiality.
A socially sustainable society is characterized by the absence of structural impediments to individuals' well-being and participation in critical areas such as health, influence, competence, impartiality, and meaning-making.
Why do some scholars place social issues at the very center of sustainability discussions?
Answer: Because all domains of sustainability (ecological, economic, political, cultural) are fundamentally social.
Some scholars argue for the centrality of social issues in sustainability, positing that all other domains—ecological, economic, political, and cultural—are fundamentally social constructs or manifestations.
What is the difference between 'weak sustainability' and 'strong sustainability'?
Answer: Weak sustainability suggests human-made capital can replace natural capital, while strong sustainability posits nature provides irreplaceable functions.
The distinction lies in their view of capital substitutability: weak sustainability allows for human-made capital to replace natural capital, whereas strong sustainability emphasizes the irreplaceable functions of natural capital.
Dominant institutional frameworks that lead to market failures for public goods are considered intrinsic barriers to achieving a sustainability transformation.
Answer: False
Dominant institutional frameworks leading to market failures for public goods are considered extrinsic barriers to sustainability, not intrinsic ones.
The idea of sustainability has been criticized for being vague and potentially an impossible goal, with no country currently meeting citizens' needs within planetary boundaries.
Answer: True
Sustainability has been criticized for its vagueness and for potentially being an impossible goal, as no country currently meets its citizens' needs without exceeding planetary boundaries.
The World Economic Forum in 2020 highlighted that less than a quarter of the world's GDP is vulnerable to nature loss.
Answer: False
The World Economic Forum in 2020 highlighted that over half of the world's GDP, specifically $44 trillion, is vulnerable to nature loss, not less than a quarter.
Trade-offs between sustainability dimensions are rare because environmental, social, and economic goals are inherently aligned.
Answer: False
Trade-offs between sustainability dimensions are common and a frequent topic of debate because balancing environmental, social, and economic goals is often difficult due to their differing priorities.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment from 2005 found that most of the 24 ecosystem services measured had improved over the preceding 50 years.
Answer: False
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment from 2005 concluded that only four of the 24 ecosystem services measured had improved over the preceding 50 years, with most being in decline or precarious condition.
The 'value-action gap' describes a situation where people consistently act in accordance with their stated environmental convictions.
Answer: False
The 'value-action gap' refers to the disconnect between individuals' stated environmental convictions and their actual behaviors, indicating an inconsistency rather than consistent action.
Dennis Meadows criticized the Brundtland definition of sustainability, arguing it often fails to meet present needs and diminishes future generations' options.
Answer: True
Dennis Meadows criticized the Brundtland definition, asserting that it often leads to self-deception, failing to genuinely meet present needs and frequently diminishing the options available to future generations.
Greenwashing is a transparent marketing practice that accurately informs consumers about a product's environmental benefits.
Answer: False
Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing practice that provides misleading information about the environmental sustainability of products or activities, rather than transparently informing consumers.
Which of the following is an extrinsic barrier to achieving a sustainability transformation?
Answer: Dominant institutional frameworks leading to market failures for public goods.
Extrinsic barriers to sustainability transformation include dominant institutional frameworks that result in market failures for public goods, hindering societal change.
What economic risk did the World Economic Forum highlight in 2020 concerning nature?
Answer: That $44 trillion of economic value generation, more than half of the world's GDP, depends on nature and is vulnerable to nature loss.
In 2020, the World Economic Forum underscored the significant economic risk posed by nature loss, revealing that $44 trillion, or over half of the global GDP, is dependent on nature and thus vulnerable.
Why are trade-offs between different dimensions of sustainability a common topic for debate?
Answer: Because balancing these goals is difficult due to disagreements about their relative importance.
Trade-offs among sustainability dimensions are frequently debated because reconciling environmental, social, and economic objectives is challenging, often due to divergent views on their relative importance and priorities.
What is the concept of 'planetary boundaries'?
Answer: The limits of Earth's carrying capacity that should not be crossed to prevent irreversible harm.
The concept of 'planetary boundaries' delineates the Earth's carrying capacity limits, which, if transgressed, risk triggering irreversible and potentially catastrophic environmental changes.
What did the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment from 2005 conclude about ecosystem services?
Answer: Only four had improved, while most were in decline or precarious condition.
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment of 2005 revealed a concerning trend: only four of the 24 ecosystem services evaluated had improved over the preceding 50 years, with the majority experiencing decline or precarious conditions.
What is the 'value-action gap' as an intrinsic barrier to sustainability?
Answer: The disconnect between people's stated environmental convictions and their actual behaviors.
The 'value-action gap' represents an intrinsic barrier to sustainability, describing the common discrepancy between individuals' expressed environmental values and their actual, often inconsistent, behaviors.
Which of the following is an extrinsic barrier to sustainability related to dominant institutional frameworks?
Answer: Market mechanisms failing for public goods.
Extrinsic barriers to sustainability, particularly those stemming from dominant institutional frameworks, include the failure of market mechanisms to adequately account for public goods, leading to their degradation.
Why did Dennis Meadows criticize the Brundtland definition of sustainability?
Answer: He argued it often fails to meet present needs and diminishes future generations' options.
Dennis Meadows critiqued the Brundtland definition, contending that its application frequently results in a failure to genuinely meet present needs and, paradoxically, reduces the options available to future generations.
What is 'greenwashing'?
Answer: A deceptive marketing practice that provides misleading information about environmental sustainability.
Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing tactic involving the provision of misleading information regarding the environmental sustainability of a product, policy, or activity.
The Rio Declaration from 1992 and Agenda 2030 from 2015 have reinforced sustainability by focusing exclusively on its environmental dimension.
Answer: False
The Rio Declaration and Agenda 2030 reinforced sustainability by balancing its economic, social, and environmental dimensions, not by focusing exclusively on the environmental aspect.
The IPAT formula suggests that increasing environmental sustainability can be achieved by increasing human population, affluence, and technology.
Answer: False
The IPAT formula indicates that environmental impact is proportional to population, affluence, and technology; therefore, increasing these factors would generally decrease, not increase, environmental sustainability.
A sustainability transformation is a simple, single-layered process focused solely on technological advancements.
Answer: False
A sustainability transformation is a complex, deep, and system-wide process that encompasses changes in technology, economy, society, values, and goals, not a simple, single-layered process focused solely on technology.
A sustainability transition requires fundamental value changes, including an emphasis on material sufficiency and global equity.
Answer: True
Achieving a sustainability transition necessitates fundamental shifts in societal values, including a greater emphasis on quality of life, material sufficiency, human solidarity, global equity, and an affinity with nature.
Sustainability transitions can only be led by government initiatives, excluding market or citizen-led processes.
Answer: False
Sustainability transitions can be driven by various overlapping processes, including those led by technology, markets, government, or citizens, not exclusively by government initiatives.
The 'Agenda 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals' includes 17 SDGs and pledges to protect the planet through sustainable consumption and climate action.
Answer: True
The 'Agenda 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals' indeed comprises 17 SDGs and includes a primary pledge to protect the planet through sustainable consumption, resource management, and urgent climate action.
Eco-economic decoupling is measured by tracking changes in the emission intensity associated with economic output.
Answer: True
Eco-economic decoupling is precisely measured by monitoring changes in the emission intensity relative to economic output, aiming to separate environmental impact from economic growth.
Absolute long-term eco-economic decoupling is widely achieved and sufficient on its own to reduce environmental pressures.
Answer: False
Absolute long-term eco-economic decoupling is considered rare and, even when achieved, is deemed insufficient on its own, requiring complementary sufficiency-oriented strategies and strict reduction targets.
The 'circular economy' aims to decouple environmental pressure from economic growth by designing out waste and keeping materials in use.
Answer: True
The 'circular economy' model seeks to decouple environmental pressure from economic growth by prioritizing the design-out of waste and pollution, maintaining materials in use, and regenerating natural systems.
Which international agreements have reinforced the concept of sustainability by balancing its economic, social, and environmental dimensions?
Answer: The Rio Declaration (1992) and Agenda 2030 (2015).
The Rio Declaration of 1992 and Agenda 2030 of 2015 are key international agreements that have significantly reinforced the concept of sustainability by advocating for a balance across its economic, social, and environmental dimensions.
According to the IPAT formula, which factor is NOT implied as a way to increase environmental sustainability?
Answer: Increasing per capita resource consumption.
The IPAT formula posits that environmental impact is directly proportional to population, affluence, and technology; therefore, increasing per capita resource consumption would diminish, not enhance, environmental sustainability.
What does a 'sustainability transformation' or 'transition' entail?
Answer: A deep, system-wide change affecting technology, economy, society, values, and goals.
A 'sustainability transformation' or 'transition' signifies a profound, system-wide alteration encompassing technology, economy, society, values, and overarching goals, requiring multi-scalar and often politically charged changes.
What fundamental value changes are required for a sustainability transition?
Answer: Emphasis on quality of life, material sufficiency, human solidarity, global equity, and affinity with nature.
A sustainability transition necessitates fundamental shifts in societal values, prioritizing quality of life, material sufficiency, human solidarity, global equity, and a deep affinity with nature.
What are the four possible overlapping processes that can lead to sustainability transitions?
Answer: Technology, markets, government, or citizens.
Sustainability transitions can emerge from four distinct yet overlapping processes: those driven by technology, markets, government policies, or citizen initiatives.
What is the primary pledge of the 'Agenda 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals'?
Answer: To protect the planet from degradation through sustainable consumption, resource management, and climate action.
The 'Agenda 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals' primarily pledges to safeguard the planet from degradation through sustainable consumption and production, responsible natural resource management, and urgent climate action.
How is 'eco-economic decoupling' measured?
Answer: By tracking changes in the emission intensity associated with economic output.
Eco-economic decoupling is quantified by monitoring the changes in emission intensity relative to economic output, indicating the extent to which economic growth is separated from environmental impact.
Why is absolute long-term eco-economic decoupling considered insufficient on its own?
Answer: Because it must be accompanied by sufficiency-oriented strategies and strict absolute reduction targets.
Absolute long-term eco-economic decoupling, while desirable, is deemed insufficient on its own; it requires complementary sufficiency-oriented strategies and stringent absolute reduction targets to effectively alleviate environmental pressures.
What is the goal of the 'circular economy' concept in business?
Answer: To decouple environmental pressure from economic growth by designing out waste and keeping materials in use.
The 'circular economy' aims to decouple environmental pressure from economic growth by systematically designing out waste and pollution, ensuring products and materials remain in use, and regenerating natural systems.
A universal set of sustainability indicators exists, making the measurement of sustainability straightforward across all contexts.
Answer: False
Measuring sustainability is challenging because the concept is complex and contextual, and a universal set of sustainability indicators does not exist.
Global organizations like the UN and WTO are highly effective in enforcing global sustainability regulations due to their strong sanctioning mechanisms.
Answer: False
Global organizations such as the UN and WTO often lack suitable sanctioning mechanisms, which hinders their effectiveness in enforcing global sustainability regulations.
Environmental and social costs are often unaddressed in market prices because the entities creating them typically do not pay for these 'externalities.'
Answer: True
Environmental and social costs are frequently externalized, meaning the entities responsible for creating them do not bear the financial burden, leading to these costs not being reflected in market prices.
Doughnut economics establishes a social minimum standard and recognizes planetary carrying capacity as an ecological limit.
Answer: True
Doughnut economics, as developed by Kate Raworth, integrates social minimum standards with the recognition of planetary ecological limits, creating a framework for sustainable economic activity.
Government action is often necessary for managing natural resources because market forces alone tend to lead to over-exploitation.
Answer: True
Government intervention is frequently essential for managing natural resources and environmental issues, as reliance solely on market forces often results in the long-term over-exploitation and degradation of these resources.
Elinor Ostrom proposed that common natural resources are best managed exclusively by national governments.
Answer: False
Elinor Ostrom proposed local governance (self-governance) as an effective alternative to both market forces and national government for managing common natural resources, not exclusive national government management.
Multilateral international agreements are highly effective in achieving sustainability due to strong enforcement mechanisms and comprehensive regulation for all actors.
Answer: False
Multilateral international agreements face significant challenges in achieving sustainability, including a reliance on voluntary commitments, a lack of robust enforcement mechanisms, and gaps in regulation for international actors.
The 'triple bottom line' accounting framework focuses solely on financial profit in sustainable business practices.
Answer: False
The 'triple bottom line' accounting framework integrates ecological, social, and economic concerns ('people, planet, and profit'), not solely financial profit, into sustainable business practices.
Why is measuring sustainability considered challenging?
Answer: Because the concept is complex, contextual, dynamic, and lacks a universal set of indicators.
Measuring sustainability is inherently challenging due to its complex, contextual, and dynamic nature, coupled with the absence of a universally agreed-upon set of indicators.
What is a key challenge faced by global organizations like the UN and WTO in enforcing global sustainability regulations?
Answer: They often lack suitable sanctioning mechanisms.
A significant challenge for global organizations like the UN and WTO in enforcing sustainability regulations is the frequent absence of suitable sanctioning mechanisms, which impedes compliance.
What is 'doughnut economics' designed to integrate into economic thinking?
Answer: Social minimum standards and planetary ecological limits.
Doughnut economics, conceptualized by Kate Raworth, aims to integrate both social minimum standards and the Earth's planetary ecological limits into a holistic framework for economic thought and practice.
What alternative to market forces and national government did Elinor Ostrom propose for managing common natural resources?
Answer: Local governance (self-governance).
Elinor Ostrom advocated for local governance, or self-governance, as a viable and effective alternative to centralized government or market forces for the sustainable management of common natural resources.
What is the 'triple bottom line' accounting framework in sustainable business practices?
Answer: A framework that integrates ecological, social, and economic concerns ('people, planet, and profit').
The 'triple bottom line' is an accounting framework that holistically integrates ecological, social, and economic performance, often summarized as 'people, planet, and profit,' in sustainable business practices.