Unit 5: Human Sustainability

Indirect emissions (Scope 3)

• All other indirect emissions that occur in the value chain, both upstream and downstream (e.g., emissions from commuting).

• Direct emissions from fossil fuel combustion in company-owned vehicles.

• Emissions from the production of purchased goods and services.

• Emissions from the disposal of waste generated in operations.

Indirect emissions (Scope 2)

• Emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles.

• Indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, heat, or cooling (e.g., emissions from a power plant that generates electricity for a city).

• Direct emissions from industrial processes.

• Emissions from waste disposal and treatment.

Adaptation

• Adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climate changes to minimize harm or exploit beneficial opportunities.

• A process of changing the physical characteristics of an environment to suit human needs.

• The act of ignoring climate changes and continuing with existing practices.

• A method of predicting future climate changes based on historical data.

Mitigation

• Actions taken to reduce the severity or impact of climate change.

• Strategies to increase greenhouse gas emissions.

• Methods to ignore climate change effects.

• Plans to enhance fossil fuel usage.

Carbon Footprint

• The total amount of greenhouse gases produced directly and indirectly by human activities, usually measured in units of carbon dioxide equivalents.

• A measure of the total energy consumption of an individual or organization.

• The amount of carbon stored in trees and plants in a specific area.

• The total emissions of carbon monoxide from vehicles in a city.

Climate Change

• Short-term fluctuations in weather conditions.

• Long-term changes in global weather patterns.

• A sudden increase in temperature.

• A decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Deforestation

• The removal of large areas of forests, often resulting in loss of biodiversity and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

• The process of planting trees to restore forest areas.

• The practice of cutting down trees for timber and paper production.

• The conservation of forest areas to protect wildlife.

Direct emissions (Scope 1)

• Come from sources that directly release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (e.g., burning fossil fuels for heating, electricity, or transportation).

• Are emissions that occur indirectly from the use of electricity or heat.

• Are emissions that are offset by renewable energy sources.

• Are emissions that are captured and stored underground.

Conservation

• The protection and preservation of natural resources to prevent exploitation, destruction, or neglect.

• The process of increasing the population of endangered species.

• The act of using natural resources without any restrictions.

• The development of new technologies to exploit natural resources.

Non-Renewable Resources

• Resources that can be replenished within a human lifespan.

• Resources that cannot be replenished within a human lifespan.

• Resources that are abundant and widely available.

• Resources that are renewable and sustainable.