5.5 Sustainability

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What is sustainability?

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Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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What is an ecological footprint?

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An ecological footprint measures the amount of natural resources an individual, community, or organization consumes compared to what the Earth can regenerate.

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What are renewable resources?

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Renewable resources are natural resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass.

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What are non-renewable resources?

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Non-renewable resources are resources that do not replenish at a sustainable rate, such as fossil fuels, minerals, and nuclear fuels.

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What is the purpose of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)?

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The purpose of an EIS is to assess the potential environmental effects of a proposed federal project and to inform decision-makers and the public.

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What is the relationship between resource consumption and sustainability?

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High levels of resource consumption can lead to environmental degradation, making it difficult to achieve sustainability.

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What is carbon footprint?

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A carbon footprint is a measure of the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event, or product.

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What are some ways to reduce your ecological footprint?

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Ways to reduce your ecological footprint include using public transportation, reducing meat consumption, conserving water and electricity, and recycling.

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What is biodiversity and why is it important for sustainability?

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Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem. It is important for sustainability because it helps ecosystems function effectively and provides resilience against environmental changes.

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What is the concept of carrying capacity?

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Carrying capacity is the maximum number of individuals of a particular species that an environment can sustainably support without degrading the ecosystem.