1.4 Sustainability (IB ESS)

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What is sustainability?

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Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

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Why is measuring sustainability difficult?

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Measuring sustainability can be difficult because many groups do not agree on a single definition of sustainability, leading to varying interpretations and metrics.

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What is natural capital?

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Natural capital is the world's stocks of natural assets, including geology, soil, air, water, and all living things. It is the basis for ecosystem services that support life.

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NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

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What is natural income?

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Natural income is the yield obtained from natural capital, such as timber from forests, fish from oceans, or crops from agricultural land.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

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What is an ecological footprint?

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An ecological footprint is a model used to estimate the demands that human populations place on the environment, measuring how much land and water area is required to produce the resources consumed and absorb the waste generated.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Front

What is the impact of full, unlimited access to logging in a public forest?

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Full, unlimited access to logging can result in the most damage to a public forest ecosystem, leading to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disruption of ecosystem services.

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NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

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What is the difference between natural capital and natural income?

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Natural capital refers to the resources and services provided by nature, while natural income is the yield or benefits derived from those resources.

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What is an environmental impact assessment (EIA)?

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An environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a process used to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project or development before it is carried out.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

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What are ecosystem services?

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Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, including provisioning services (like food and water), regulating services (like climate regulation), cultural services (like recreation), and supporting services (like nutrient cycling).

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

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What is sustainable development?

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Sustainable development is a development approach that seeks to balance economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity to ensure a better quality of life for all, now and in the future.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS3-2

NGSS.HS-ESS3-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-7