Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainability

causes consequences solutions

forest
management,
logging and
timber
- clear cutting: completely
clearing land then planting new
timber
- demand for timber,
wood/paper
- loss of habitat
- loss of biodiversity
- climate change: CO2
- recycling
- use paper that comes from
selective cutting: cutting certain
trees from a sustainable forest
- set regulations on logging
rangeland - grazing and browsing animals
put out to pasture in public lands
- overgrazing/undergrazing
- lack of enforcement of
regulations
- animals set out to
graze/browse w/out regard for
laws
- compacting of soil prevents
water retention
- growth of invasive species
- soil erosion
- more effective, better enforced
laws
- encourage livestock owners to
communicate
- suppress invasive species
- allow controlled wildfires
cities - urbanization: immigration to
cities and increased birth rate
- transportation needs for
people and for goods
- heightened ecological footprint
- noise, air, light etc. pollution
- health problems
- depletion of natural resources
- reduce need for transportation
- better waste disposal (not
landfills)
- grow upwards instead of
ourwards
air quality - burning fossil fuels:
transportation, production of
electricity
- factory emissions
- damaging to human
respiratory system, leading to
premature death
- laws and regulations:
standards set to protect human
and environmental damage
- reduce amounts of fossil fuels
consumed: conserve electricity,
transportation
- clean up indoor air pollution
mining - open pit mining, strip mining,
mountain top blasting
- toxic chemicals
- spoil bank: useless material
dump
- toxins seep into environment
- use of water in processing:
also contains toxic materials
- better education
- greener facilities: better
filtering
- better govt regulations,
enforcement to prevent illegal
mining
food
productions
- run off from
fertilizers/pesticides
- soil erosion
- genetic modification
- consuming of meat
- antibiotics used in animals
consumed by humans
- pollution of water sources
- use of water
- terracing: reduces soil erosion
- contour planting, windbreak
- organic agriculture,
composting
- local/backyard homestead
- reduction of meat consumption
energy
supplies
- burning of coil/oil to produce
electricity
- air pollution
- smoke, haze, air pollution
hazards to human health
- renewable energy: solar, tidal,
wind
- fuel efficient/electric vehicles
- govt tax credits/mandates for
environmentally friendly
transportation
pest control at
home and for
food
- eliminating pests indoors
- use of toxic chemicals
- upset natural checks and
balances
- genetic resistances
- pollution, human ingestion
- magnification of toxic
chemicals in food sources
- genetic engineering of pest-
resistant crops
- use of natural remedies and
enemies
- education about the chemicals
use and health hazards
associated
population
growth
- cultural/economic need for
more children
- lack of education and birth
control
- poverty
- shortage of resources
- increased ecological footprint
- unemployment
- expanded urbanization,
deforestation, consuming of
non-renewable resources, food,
water
- education and accessibility to
birth control
- incentives for education, esp
for women
water - flood irrigation of crops
- domestic water use/waste
- industrial uses
- agricultural uses
- underpricing of water for
civilians
- livestock consume a lot of
water down the food chain
- pollution
- droughts
- government
subsidies/regulations
- recycling water
- efficient irrigation
waste
production
- non biodegradable human
wastes: plastics, metal,
nonrecyclables
- e wastes
- nuclear waste: radioactive
spent fuel rods
- incinerators contribute to air
pollution and ash still needs to
be dumped somewhere
- wealthy countries send their
waste to other countries for
dumping and disposal
- landfills
- change in industrial processes
- use less produce: reduce
packaging
- efficient waste management