MILLER/SPOOLMAN, SUSTAINING THE ENVIRONMENT, 12E
CHAPTER SUMMARY
CHAPTER 14
14-1 How are economic systems related to the biosphere?
Economic resources and systems have a direct impact on the creation of environmental problems and their eventual solutions. Natural capital, human capital, and manufactured capital all comprise economic resources, which must be managed to sustain the world’s environmental health. CONCEPT 14-1 Ecological economists and most sustainability experts regard human economic systems as subsystems of the biosphere and subject to its processes and limiting factors.
1. Distinguish between the following: natural capital, manufactured capital, and human capital. Distinguish between the neoclassical economist view and the ecological economists view on the importance of natural capital.
14-2 What economic tools can we use to promote environmental sustainability?
Economic methods—such as full-cost pricing and green taxes—must be implemented in order to improve and maintain appropriate environmental quality. CONCEPT 14-2A Using resources more sustainably will require including the environmental and health costs of resource use in the market prices of goods and services (full-cost pricing). CONCEPT 14-2B Governments can help to improve and sustain environmental quality by subsidizing environmentally beneficial activities and by taxing pollution and wastes instead of wages and profits.
2. Define gross domestic product (GDP). Evaluate the commonly held belief that GDP is an indicator of a country’s wellbeing. Describe alternative indicators that take social and environmental factors into account. Evaluate the accuracy of these indicators.
3. Define external costs. Give examples of external costs and external benefits that might be involved in purchasing a car. Define full-cost pricing.
4. List six political tools that can be used to improve environmental quality and reduce resource waste. List advantages and disadvantages of each tool. Evaluate which tool you think is best. Be prepared to defend your choice.
5. Predict likely consequences for a society whose goal is zero pollution.
14-3 How can reducing poverty help us deal with environmental problems?
CONCEPT 14-3 Reducing poverty can help us to reduce population growth, resource use, and environmental degradation.
6. Define poverty. Describe the trickle-down theory. Evaluate its effectiveness in decreasing poverty levels. Describe four other strategies to reduce poverty.
14-4 How can we make the transition to more environmentally sustainable economies?
The environmental revolution is an economic revolution, which must develop a sustainable society for the earth’s people in long-term ways. CONCEPT 14-4 We can use the four scientific principles of sustainability and various economic and environmental strategies to develop more environmentally sustainable economies.
7. List five ways to move toward a more ecologically sustainable economy
14-5 What is environmental policy and how is it made?
CONCEPT 14-5 A government can seek to protect environmental and public interests and encourage more environmentally sustainable economic growth through its policies, which can be influenced by groups and individuals working together.
8. List three types of environmental leadership. Compare mainstream and grassroots environmental groups.
9. Summarize the goals and tactics of the anti-environmental movement.
14-6 How can we improve global environmental security?
National and global securities are intrinsically bound with the earth’s environmental security. CONCEPT 14-6 Environmental security is necessary for economic security, and is at least as important as military security; governments, international organizations, and corporations are recognizing this fact in their planning and policy making.
10. Discuss how environmental security is linked to military and environmental security.
11. List three problems with and solutions for dealing with international environmental treaties.
14-7 What are some major environmental worldviews?
Today’s environmental compromise and degradation have been directly influenced by major human-centered environmental worldviews, all of which posit that earth exists for man. The environmental wisdom worldview believes that man is not in charge, should not waste the earth’s resources, and should live sustainably by mimicking the ways the earth has sustained itself. To accomplish this, each person must be environmentally literate. CONCEPT 14-7 Major environmental worldviews differ over which is more important—human needs and wants, or the overall health of ecosystems and the biosphere; different worldviews include varying mixes of both priorities.
12. List four basic beliefs common to planetary management worldviews. List and contrast four schools of thought within the planetary management worldview.
13. Distinguish human-centered worldviews and earth-centered worldviews. List the beliefs of one earth-centered worldview. Summarize environmental ethical guidelines regarding the relationship of humans to ecosystems, species, human cultures, and individual responsibility.
14-8 How can we live more sustainably?
Major components of an environmental revolution are defined by aggressive changes in thoughts and actions related to efficiency, solar-hydrogen energy, pollution prevention, biodiversity protection, sufficiency not affluenza, and demographic, economic, and political revolutions. CONCEPT 14-8 We can live more sustainably by living more simply and lightly on the earth and by using certain guidelines to convert environmental literacy and concerns into action.
14. Summarize the goals of environmental literacy. Discuss strategies for bring about a sustainable revolution during your lifetime.