17: The Ten Commandments of Sustainability and Sensible Measure
- Page ID
- 285405
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)“On August 14, 2010, a massive traffic jam began building on one of the main highways into Bejing, China, that would eventually extend for 60 miles and last for weeks, on some days moving less than a mile. Nothing better illustrates the futility of continued reliance on individual vehicles for basic transportation needs in an increasingly crowded world.”
- 17.1: We Cannot Go on Like This
- This page discusses the debate between biologist Paul Ehrlich and economist Julian Simon on resource depletion and population growth. Ehrlich feared overpopulation would lead to disaster, while Simon argued that human creativity could solve challenges. Their wager illustrated contrasting beliefs about resource sustainability.
- 17.2: The First Commandment
- This page advocates for measuring human welfare through quality of life rather than material possessions, emphasizing sustainable living. It critiques traditional economics for ignoring environmental factors and highlights the rise of environmental economics.
- 17.3: The Second Commandment
- This page discusses how the strain on Earth's resources is linked to population size and resource demand, noting that the global population approached 7 billion in 2010 with a declining growth rate in developed nations. It highlights concerns over potential food shortages and the challenges of rising demand in industrialized nations, particularly as economies like China and India expand. The text emphasizes the need for effective strategies to balance resource demands for a sustainable future.
- 17.4: The Third Commandment
- This page highlights the necessity of integrating technology into human-modified environments (the anthrosphere) for sustainability. It critiques anti-technology views among environmentalists, promoting a pragmatic approach that uses technology responsibly.
- 17.5: The Fourth Commandment
- This page discusses the importance of sustainable energy in achieving environmental sustainability and reducing pollution. It highlights the need to replace fossil fuels with efficient, nonpolluting alternatives such as solar, wind, biomass, hydropower, geothermal, and nuclear energy. While renewable sources are vital, issues like intermittency necessitate reliable energy storage solutions.
- 17.6: The Fifth Commandment
- This page emphasizes the importance of maintaining a livable climate on Earth, highlighting the impact of human activities on atmospheric carbon dioxide and global warming. It calls for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions to achieve sustainability.
- 17.7: The Sixth Commandment
- This page discusses the decline in Earth's biological productivity, highlighting threats to sustainability and potential starvation due to human activities like soil degradation and deforestation. While agricultural advancements have temporarily mitigated these issues, it emphasizes the need for preserving topsoil, reversing deforestation, managing watersheds, addressing climate change, and responsible land use to enhance productivity and ensure long-term sustainability.
- 17.8: The Seventh Commandment
- This page highlights the critical need to significantly cut down material demand for sustainability, particularly in the communications and electronics sectors. It calls for sourcing materials from renewable resources and designing products that are recyclable and degradable. Innovations such as replacing copper wires with fiber optics and using biodegradable detergents serve as key examples.
- 17.10: The Ninth Commandment
- This page argues that avoiding risks entirely can be detrimental, especially in critical areas like nuclear energy, which is vital for climate management. It highlights the necessity of safely utilizing risky technologies through effective design and computer systems. The text points out that complete risk aversion can stifle progress, as seen in fields such as aviation and pharmaceuticals.
- 17.11: The Tenth Commandment
- This page emphasizes the importance of integrating sustainability education across all schooling levels and for all demographics, as most people lack knowledge in this area. It highlights challenges in effectively informing the public and the need to leverage media and the internet for greater outreach. Currently, sustainability receives minimal media attention due to a focus on trivial matters, necessitating efforts from informed individuals to advocate for its significance.
- 17.12: Some Sensible Measures for Sustainability
- This page explores diverse measures for promoting sustainability, including methane as a clean fuel, enhancing hybrid vehicles with methane engines, and potential benefits of diverting the Mississippi River. It also suggests reducing mail delivery days, improving airport rail links, using CO2 to fertilize algae for carbon capture, nuclear fuel reprocessing, and extracting heat from wastewater. These initiatives aim to inspire discussion and foster innovation in sustainable practices.
- 17.9: The Eighth Commandment
- This page outlines green chemistry's principle of reducing toxic substances and preventing environmental release. It acknowledges challenges in current waste disposal practices, as hazardous wastes can’t always be securely contained or may not degrade. It emphasizes the need for converting hazardous wastes into nonhazardous forms through methods like incineration and recycling hazardous elements when feasible.
- Literature Cited
- This page references influential works on population, environmental economics, and societal collapse by authors like Paul R. Ehrlich, Julian Simon, and Jared Diamond. It addresses themes of overpopulation, economic consequences, and resilience of societies. Furthermore, it touches on advancements in engine technology and solar energy storage as part of sustainable energy developments.
- Questions and Problems
- This page encourages critical thinking on sustainability and environmental challenges through various questions. It covers topics such as metal prices, seafood contamination, telecommuting's effects on sustainability, and the relationship between different environmental spheres. Additionally, it examines U.S. coal resource sustainability and climate change examples, prompting readers to explore solutions and anticipate future trends.
- Supplementary References
- This page outlines influential books on sustainability, including "Transforming Cultures from Consumerism to Sustainability" and "Natural Capitalism." Each book explores various aspects of sustainability such as urban living, energy efficiency, and economic growth, contributing diverse perspectives on environmental, economic, and social dimensions critical to achieving a sustainable future.