Key Terms
What is sustainable development?
Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations, while balancing economic, environmental, and social priorities.
What is resilience (in an environmental context)?
The ability of an ecosystem or system to recover and return to its normal state after a disturbance.
What are the global development goals created in 2015 called?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
What is the tragedy of the commons?
Overuse of shared resources due to individual self-interest, leading to environmental harm.
Why is climate change considered a development issue?
Because it impacts food, water, health, and economic stability.
What year were the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) created?
2015
What is the collective action problem?
A situation where everyone benefits from solving a problem, but no one wants to act first due to costs
What are some of the actors and structures involved in negotiating the international regime for the environment?
Governments, the UN, NGOs, and businesses work together through agreements like the Paris Agreement and COP meetings.
What was the first major global environmental conference in 1972 called?
The Stockholm Conference (United Nations Conference on the Human Environment).
What is the difference between climate change and global warming?
Global warming means the Earth’s average temperature is rising, mainly because of greenhouse gas emissions.
Climate change is the bigger issue. It includes global warming, but also long-term changes in weather, rainfall, temperatures, and extreme events in different parts of the world.
What is the relationship between the environment, climate change and sustainable development?
The chapter shows that they are deeply interconnected. Climate change both results from development processes and also shapes future development by affecting resources, economies, and livelihoods, especially in developing countries.
Which agreement is central to global climate efforts?
The UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.