ESS-Topic 1

case studies

100

Context: A major corporation has been deforesting large areas of the Amazon rainforest for cattle ranching. This has led to significant loss of biodiversity, disruption of local indigenous communities, and increased carbon emissions.

What EVS would likely support the corporation’s actions, and why?

• Cornucopian; because they believe in economic growth and technological solutions over environmental conservation.

200

Context: A major corporation has been deforesting large areas of the Amazon rainforest for cattle ranching. This has led to significant loss of biodiversity, disruption of local indigenous communities, and increased carbon emissions.

Explain how the anthropocentric perspective might propose to balance economic interests with environmental protection in this case.

The anthropocentric perspective might propose sustainable ranching practices, support stronger regulations that limit the extent of deforestation and compensation for affected communities.

300

A manufacturing plant has been discharging untreated waste into a local river for years, leading to severe pollution. The river, once a source of fresh water and fish for the surrounding communities, has become toxic. The plant owners argue that implementing cleaner technologies would be too costly and could lead to job losses.

Explain how the pollution of the river can be seen as a disturbance in the local ecosystem. Is this an example of a positive or negative feedback loop? Justify your answer.

 This is an example of a positive feedback loop. As pollution increases, the health of the ecosystem deteriorates further, leading to a decrease in biodiversity and the collapse of ecosystem services (e.g., clean water, fish population). This amplifies the negative effects and drives the system away from equilibrium, potentially leading to a tipping point where the ecosystem cannot recover.

400

A coastal community relies heavily on fishing for its economy. Over the years, increased demand for seafood has led to overfishing, causing fish populations to decline drastically. Scientists warn that if current practices continue, the marine ecosystem could collapse, leading to severe economic and environmental consequences.

Propose atleast 4 sustainable fishing practices that could help restore the marine ecosystem and ensure long-term viability for the community.

Answer: Sustainable fishing practices that could help restore the marine ecosystem include:

• Implementing Catch Limits: Setting and enforcing strict quotas on the number of fish that can be caught to allow fish populations to recover.
• Seasonal Fishing Bans: Establishing closed seasons during breeding periods to protect fish stocks and ensure successful reproduction.
• Use of Selective Gear: Adopting fishing gear that minimizes bycatch and reduces damage to the marine environment, such as selective nets or hooks.
• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Designating specific areas of the ocean as protected zones where fishing is restricted or prohibited to allow ecosystems to regenerate.

500

Context: The Great Barrier Reef is experiencing significant coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification. This threatens marine biodiversity and the tourism industry reliant on the reef.

1. How would a technocentric perspective address the problem of coral reef degradation?

2. What solutions might an ecocentric view suggest for preserving the Great Barrier Reef?

3. Explain how an anthropocentric perspective could balance the interests of tourism with coral reef conservation.

4. Describe the approach a deep ecology perspective would take to tackle the issue of coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef.

5. What kind of policy changes might a biocentric perspective advocate for to protect the Great Barrier Reef?

• Technocentric; they might propose solutions like developing heat-resistant coral species or using technology to restore damaged reefs.

• An ecocentric view would suggest protecting the reef by reducing carbon emissions, controlling pollution, and preserving marine biodiversity.

• An anthropocentric perspective could focus on sustainable tourism practices, reef conservation efforts, and education programs to balance economic and environmental interests.

• Deep ecology would advocate for reducing human impact by limiting tourism, banning harmful fishing practices, and addressing climate change at a fundamental level.

• A biocentric perspective might support policies that enforce stricter protections for the reef and surrounding marine life, emphasizing their right to exist.

Section A

100

Which EVS emphasizes the inherent value of all living beings and the right of nature to exist?

• A. Technocentric
• B. Anthropocentric
• C. Ecocentric
• D. Cornucopian

• C. Ecocentric

200

State True or false:

a. Anthropocentrism is the view that environmental issues should be managed for the benefit of the entire biosphere.

b. Technocentrism is often associated with sustainable development and the belief in technological innovation. 

a. False 

b. True

300

Describe what a tipping point is in an environmental system and provide an example of a situation where a tipping point might be reached.

A tipping point in an environmental system is a critical threshold where a small change in an external condition can lead to a significant and often irreversible shift in the state of the system. Once this threshold is crossed, the system may undergo rapid and dramatic changes, leading to a new equilibrium that is often less favorable for the environment and the organisms living within it.

Example: Arctic sea ice due to global warming. 

400

Explain how the circular economy model differs from the traditional linear economy. Provide one example of how a business might adopt circular economy principles.

In a traditional linear economy, the model follows a "take, make, dispose" pattern:

1. Take: Resources are extracted from the environment.
2. Make: Products are manufactured using these resources.
3. Dispose: Once the products reach the end of their lifecycle, they are discarded as waste.

This model often leads to increased resource depletion and environmental pollution since waste and emissions are not typically reintegrated into the production cycle.

Circular Economy

In contrast, the circular economy aims to create a closed-loop system where resource input, waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by maintaining the value of products, materials, and resources in the economy for as long as possible. The circular model emphasizes:

1. Design for Longevity: Products are designed to be durable, repairable, and upgradable.
2. Reuse and Remanufacturing: Products and components are reused, repaired, or remanufactured instead of being discarded.
3. Recycling: Materials from end-of-life products are recycled back into the production process.
4. Service-Based Models: Instead of selling products, businesses may offer services (e.g., leasing) that encourage product longevity and maintenance.

Patagonia, an outdoor clothing company, provides a good example of adopting circular economy principles:

• Product Design: Patagonia designs its products with durability and repairability in mind. Many items come with a lifetime guarantee and can be repaired instead of replaced.
• Worn Wear Program: The company has a program called "Worn Wear" where customers can trade in their used Patagonia gear for credit or get it repaired. These items are then resold, extending their lifecycle.
• Recycling: Patagonia also uses recycled materials in its products, reducing ned for new resources.

500

• United States: The ecological footprint is approximately 8.1 global hectares per person.
• India: The ecological footprint is approximately 1.2 global hectares per person.
• Compare the ecological footprints of two different countries. What factors contribute to the differences in their ecological footprints, and what strategies can be implemented to reduce them?

Factors Contributing to the Differences:

1. Energy Consumption:

   • United States: High levels of energy consumption due to widespread use of fossil fuels, large-scale industrial activities, and a high standard of living, including extensive use of cars and air conditioning.
   • India: Lower energy consumption, with a significant portion of the population relying on traditional energy sources like biomass. However, as the country develops, energy demands are rising.

2. Industrialization and Urbanization:

   • United States: Advanced industrialization leads to a higher demand for resources, contributing to a larger ecological footprint.
   • India: Although industrialization is increasing, many areas still rely on agriculture. Urbanization is on the rise, but the overall resource demand per capita is lower compared to the U.S.

3. Dietary Patterns:

   • United States: High consumption of meat and processed foods, which have a larger environmental impact.
   • India: Predominantly vegetarian diet in many regions, with lower meat consumption, leading to a smaller ecological footprint in this aspect.

4. Waste Production:

   • United States: Higher levels of waste production, including plastics and e-waste, due to consumerism and disposable culture.
   • India: Lower per capita waste production, but waste management systems are less developed, leading to environmental challenges.

Strategies to Reduce Ecological Footprints:

• United States:

  • Transition to renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Promote sustainable consumption practices, including reducing food waste and encouraging plant-based diets.
  • Implement stricter regulations on industrial emissions and waste management.

• India:

  • Improve energy efficiency and expand access to clean energy, especially in rural areas.
  • Enhance waste management systems to reduce environmental impact.
  • Support sustainable agricultural practices and urban planning to manage the demands of a growing population.

Section B

100

What are the three key concepts of sustainability?

• environmental sustainability

• economic sustainability

• social sustainability

200

Who is the father of environmental justice?

Robert D. Bullard (Figure 1.19) is known as the
‘Father of Environmental Justice’ and has spent four
decades acting as an advocate of environmental
and racial justice across the USA.

300

Explain the difference between an open and a closed system. Provide an example of each within an environmental context.

An open system is one that exchanges both energy and matter with its surroundings. In contrast, a closed system exchanges energy but not matter with its surroundings.

Examples:

• Open System: A forest ecosystem is an example of an open system.

• Closed System: The Earth, as a whole, is often considered a closed system in terms of matter. While it exchanges energy with space (receiving sunlight and radiating heat), the amount of matter (e.g., gases, water, minerals) remains relatively constant, as there is little to no exchange of matter with outer space.

400

Draw a system diagram that represents the flow of energy in a forest ecosystem. Label the key components, including storages and flows. Then, explain how energy is transferred between these components and how the system remains in equilibrium.

• Storages:

  • Sun: The primary source of energy.
  • Producers (Plants): Convert sunlight into chemical energy through photosynthesis.
  • Herbivores (Primary Consumers): Eat plants and obtain energy.
  • Carnivores (Secondary/Tertiary Consumers): Eat herbivores and other carnivores, obtaining energy.
  • Decomposers (Bacteria and Fungi): Break down dead organisms and return nutrients to the soil.

• Flows (Arrows):

  • Energy Flow from Sun to Producers: Arrow from the Sun to Producers (photosynthesis).
  • Energy Flow from Producers to Herbivores: Arrow from Producers to Herbivores (feeding).
  • Energy Flow from Herbivores to Carnivores: Arrow from Herbivores to Carnivores (feeding).
  • Energy Flow from All Organisms to Decomposers: Arrows from Producers, Herbivores, and Carnivores to Decomposers (death and decomposition).
  • Nutrient Flow from Decomposers to Soil: Arrow from Decomposers to Soil (nutrient cycling).
  • Energy Loss as Heat: Arrows from each consumer (and decomposers) representing energy loss as heat due to respiration.

500

Match the following:

Column A                                  Column B

a.Silent Spring                          James lovelock

b.Our final warning                    Rachael Carson

c. Gaia hypothesis                     Mark Lynas

d. Goldman Environmental Prize   AI Gore

e. An inconvenient truth       Maxima Acuña de Chaupe 

a. ii

b iii

c i

d v

e iv

Section C

100

Name any 1 environmental disaster and state where it happened?

minamata

bhopal gas tragedy

chernobyl

Fukushima

200

Name an environmental disaster which happened due to the after effect of a natural disaster.

An earthquake in northern Japan caused
a tsunami that hit the coastal Fukushima nuclear
power plant, causing a meltdown in three of the six
nuclear reactors

300

In which country did the Chernobyl disaster happen?

What happened in the disaster?

Give a long term effect of the disaster?

in Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union)

The disaster resulted in the evacuation and resettlement of over 336,000 people. 

The area immediately surrounding the plant, covering approximately 2600 km2, remains under exclusion
due to the high levels of radiation still present.  

400

Explain how achieving SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) can help reduce waste and pollution.

Provide atleast 4 points

• Efficient Resource Use: By promoting the efficient use of natural resources, SDG 12 encourages industries and consumers to use materials more wisely, leading to less waste generated during production and consumption.

• Waste Reduction: Encouraging practices such as recycling, reusing materials, and reducing single-use products directly cuts down on the amount of waste sent to landfills or oceans, thus decreasing pollution levels.

• Sustainable Practices: By adopting sustainable production methods, such as cleaner technologies and eco-friendly materials, businesses can minimize harmful emissions and pollutants released into the environment.

• Consumer Awareness: Educating consumers about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions can lead to more responsible choices, reducing demand for products that contribute to environmental degradation.

• Circular Economy: SDG 12 supports the transition to a circular economy, where products are designed to be reused, repaired, and recycled, further reducing waste and pollution.

500

What happened in the Minamata disaster?

Which company was involved?

State three effects it caused to humans

release of methyl mercury in waste water

Chisso Corporation’s chemical factory

The symptoms
were neurological, including numbness of the hands, muscle weakness and damage to
hearing, speech and vision. In extreme cases, Minamata disease led to insanity, paralysis
and death. The pollution also led to birth defects in newborn children

Section D

100

True or False: The planetary boundaries model identifies the processes and systems that regulate the stability of Earth's environment and defines limits that should not be crossed.

True

200

Name one limitation of using GDP as an indicator of economic well-being.

GDP does not account for the distribution of income or the quality of life, such as environmental degradation or social factors.

300

What are the environmental and social impacts of deforestation in tropical regions?

provide 3 impacts each

Environmental Impacts

1. Loss of Biodiversity:

   • Species Extinction: Deforestation leads to habitat loss for countless species, resulting in a decline in biodiversity and, in many cases, extinction of plants and animals.
   • Ecosystem Disruption: The removal of forests disrupts ecosystems, affecting food chains and ecological balance.

2. Climate Change:

   • Carbon Emissions: Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Deforestation releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.
   • Altered Weather Patterns: Forests influence local and regional climate by regulating humidity and rainfall. Deforestation can lead to changes in weather patterns, such as reduced rainfall and increased temperatures.

3. Soil Erosion:

   • Loss of Topsoil: Tree roots help stabilize the soil. Without them, the soil becomes more prone to erosion, which can lead to loss of arable land and decreased soil fertility.
   • Sedimentation of Waterways: Eroded soil often washes into rivers and streams, leading to sedimentation that can harm aquatic life and affect water quality.

4. Disruption of the Water Cycle:

   • Reduced Evapotranspiration: Trees contribute to the water cycle by releasing moisture into the atmosphere through transpiration. Deforestation decreases this moisture input, which can impact regional rainfall patterns.

Social Impacts

1. Impact on Indigenous Communities:

   • Loss of Livelihoods: Many indigenous communities depend on forests for their livelihoods, including agriculture, hunting, and gathering. Deforestation can displace these communities and disrupt their traditional ways of life.
   • Cultural Erosion: Forests are often central to the cultural and spiritual practices of indigenous peoples. Their destruction can lead to a loss of cultural heritage and identity.

2. Health Implications:

   • Increased Respiratory Issues: The burning of forests, often used to clear land for agriculture or development, releases particulate matter and pollutants that can affect respiratory health.
   • Loss of Medicinal Plants: Tropical forests are a source of many medicinal plants. Deforestation can reduce the availability of these plants, impacting both traditional medicine and pharmaceutical research.

3. Economic Consequences:

   • Impact on Ecosystem Services: Forests provide various ecosystem services, such as clean water, air purification, and pollination. Deforestation can diminish these services, leading to increased costs for communities and economies.
   • Potential for Conflict: The loss of forests and resources can lead to conflicts over land and resources, both within and between communities.

4. Displacement of Communities:

   • Forced Migration: Deforestation can force local communities to migrate to urban areas or other regions in search of new livelihoods, which can strain urban resources and services.

400

Explain why biodiversity is a crucial indicator of environmental sustainability.

Biodiversity is a crucial indicator of environmental sustainability because it reflects the health and resilience of ecosystems. High biodiversity ensures that ecosystems can perform essential functions such as nutrient cycling, pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. These functions support life on Earth and provide the resources humans rely on, such as food, clean water, and medicine.

When biodiversity is high, ecosystems are more resilient to disturbances, such as climate change, natural disasters, and human activities, because a diverse range of species can adapt and maintain ecosystem stability. Conversely, low biodiversity often leads to weakened ecosystems that are less capable of sustaining life and providing essential services, making them more vulnerable to collapse.

Therefore, maintaining biodiversity is vital for achieving environmental sustainability, as it ensures that ecosystems can continue to function and support life for current and future generations.

500

What is Gross National Happiness (GNH) and how does it differ from GDP?

Gross National Happiness (GNH) is an alternative measure of a country's progress that focuses on the overall well-being and quality of life of its citizens, rather than just economic output. Here’s how it differs from Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

Gross National Happiness (GNH)

• Definition: GNH is a measure developed to assess the holistic well-being of a nation’s citizens, encompassing various aspects of life beyond economic success. It includes factors such as psychological well-being, health, education, environmental quality, and cultural preservation.
• Objective: The goal of GNH is to create a more balanced approach to development, focusing on the happiness and overall quality of life of the population, rather than purely economic indicators.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

• Definition: GDP measures the total value of all goods and services produced within a country’s borders over a specific period, typically a year.
• Focus: GDP is a purely economic metric that reflects the economic activity and output of a country. It includes production, consumption, investment, and net exports but does not account for the distribution of income or the impact on the environment.

Key Differences

1. Scope of Measurement:

   • GNH: Measures a broad range of well-being factors, including environmental sustainability, cultural values, and social cohesion.
   • GDP: Focuses solely on economic output and productivity.

2. Purpose:

   • GNH: Aims to ensure that development improves the quality of life and happiness of citizens in a comprehensive manner.
   • GDP: Aims to quantify the economic performance and growth of a country.

3. Holistic vs. Economic Focus:

   • GNH: Provides a holistic view of progress by incorporating non-economic factors such as mental well-being and environmental health.
   • GDP: Provides an economic snapshot but does not reflect social and environmental impacts.