Maria Jose Cobos

Natural Resource Management

Professor Edgar Castañeda

April 10th, 2023

A) Sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is about

finding a balance between economic growth, social development, and environmental

protection. In other words, sustainability is about creating a world where people can

thrive without depleting natural resources or causing harm to the planet. It involves

considering the long-term impacts of our actions and decisions, and working towards

solutions that benefit both people and the environment.

B) I define sustainability as the responsible and efficient use of natural resources, social

development that benefits the community, and economic growth that does not harm the

environment. Sustainability can also be defined as using resources in a way that is both

efficient and responsible, and ensuring that our actions have minimal impact on the

natural environment.

C) Yes, it is possible to measure sustainability/sustainable development with respect to

natural resources. Metrics such as the Ecological Footprint, the Environmental

Performance Index, the Genuine Progress Indicator, and the Human Development Index,
 can provide useful indicators of sustainability. These indicators can help us understand

the impacts of our actions and guide policy decisions.

D) Both policies, technological progress and human ingenuity are needed to ensure

sustainability. Policies can set the framework for sustainable resource management (can

help ensure that environmental costs are internalized, and that individuals and businesses

are held accountable for their impacts on the environment), while technological progress

can enable more efficient and sustainable resource use.

E) To ensure the sustainable use of the resources water, agricultural land, forest land, and

minerals, we need to implement policies that promote sustainable resource management,

such as water conservation measures, sustainable agriculture practices, forest

conservation efforts, and responsible mineral extraction. It also requires building

partnerships to promote sustainable resource use.

F) It is possible to plan for sustainable development and resource use, but this requires a

holistic approach that considers the interconnectedness of social, economic, and

environmental factors. This might involve setting targets for reducing resource

consumption, developing sustainable infrastructure, and promoting renewable energy

sources.

G) Free markets and robust private property rights can both undermine and guarantee

sustainability. While free markets can promote innovation and efficiency, they can also
 lead to unsustainable practices if environmental costs are not internalized. Robust private

property rights can provide incentives for sustainable resource use, but they can also lead

to the overuse of resources if the benefits of conservation are not recognized.

To summarize my answers, sustainability is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted

approach. In my opinion, a combination of policies and technological progress is necessary to

ensure sustainability. While technological progress can enable more sustainable resource use,

policies are needed to set the framework for sustainable resource management and to address

market failures that lead to overconsumption and environmental degradation. Planning for

sustainable development and resource use also requires a holistic approach that considers social,

economic, and environmental factors, and the role of free markets and private property rights

should be carefully balanced to ensure sustainability.

1.

Alex Steffen's TED talk "The route to a sustainable future" focuses on the urgent need to address

the environmental crises facing our planet and outlines a path towards a more sustainable future.

Steffen argues that our current economic and cultural systems prioritize consumption and growth

over environmental stewardship, and that we need to shift our values and priorities towards

sustainability. He suggests adopting clean energy sources, building sustainable cities, and

embracing a more collaborative and community-oriented approach to problem solving. Steffen

emphasizes the importance of individual action and personal responsibility in driving social and

cultural change towards environmental sustainability. He suggests that individuals can make a

difference by adopting sustainable lifestyle choices, supporting sustainable businesses and

organizations, and advocating for political and policy changes that prioritize the environment.

Steffen's message suggests that corruption can be a significant obstacle to achieving

sustainability. Corruption can undermine the public's trust in institutions and lead to the

mismanagement of natural resources and weakening of environmental regulations. To achieve a

more sustainable future, promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in all

sectors of society is crucial. This requires a collective effort from all sectors to work towards a

common goal of environmental sustainability and social justice.

2.

In her TED talk “A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow”, Kate Raworth

introduces doughnut economics, a new approach to economic thinking that promotes a

regenerative and distributive economy. Kate argues that the current economic model prioritizes
endless growth and consumption, leading to environmental degradation and inequality. The

doughnut model requires systemic change at all levels of society, including new policies, laws,

and regulations that promote sustainability and social justice. A new kind of economics grounded

in ecological and social systems thinking is needed to bring about change. By implementing the

Doughnut model, we can create a thriving and equitable future for all. The donut model is based

on 7 principles that prioritize access to essentials of life in the circular economy. Kate

empathizes the need for systemic change at all levels of society, including government,

businesses, and individuals, to bring about sustainability and social justice. The video leaves us

with the message of needing a new economic model that prioritizes sustainability, social justice,

and ecological resilience.

3.

In answering the question posed in the title of his talk, George Monbiot argues that yes, we can

feed ourselves without devouring the planet, but it will require significant changes in the way we

produce and consume food. He provides a road map for creating a more sustainable and

equitable food system that prioritizes the health of the environment, farmers, and communities.

He proposes several solutions to address the problem of feeding the world's population without

devouring the planet. His solutions include reducing meat consumption, shifting to a plant-based

diet, adopting regenerative agriculture, reducing food waste, and supporting small scale farmers

who use sustainable farming practices. He emphasizes that these solutions can help reduce the

environmental impact of food production while also ensuring that everybody has access to

healthy, nutritious, and affordable food.

In his ted talk titled “how we can make the world a better place by 2030,” Michael green

discusses the United Nations sustainable development goals and how they can be achieved. The

goals are 17 which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote peace and prosperity for

all people by 2030. To achieve these goals, Green suggests that we need to prioritize the goals

that have the greatest impact on people's lives, such as ending extreme poverty and providing

access to basic education and healthcare. He suggests that we need to collect and analyze data to

track progress and identify areas where more work is needed. Green argues that we need to

invest in innovative solutions and technologies that can help us achieve the goals, such as

renewable energy, clean water systems, and digital technology. Green says that it is very

important to create partnerships and collaborations between governments, businesses, and civil

society to achieve these goals. We need to work together to create a shared vision and a plan of

action for achieving the goals.

Article:

"Envisioning sustainability three-dimensionally" is an article that discusses the concept of

sustainability and how it can be visualized using a three-dimensional approach. The article

argues that the traditional two-dimensional approach to sustainability, which focuses on

economic, social, and environmental factors separately, is not enough to address the complex

challenges facing out planet. The article proposes a new approach that considers these three

factors in an integrated and interconnected way, using a three-dimensional visualization tool

called the "Sustainability Cube." This tool allows for a more comprehensive understanding of

sustainability by considering the relationships between economic, social, and environmental

approach to sustainability can help policymakers, businesses, and individuals make more

informed decisions that consider the interconnected nature of these factors. The Sustainability

Cube can be used as a framework to guide decision-making and to track progress towards

sustainable development goals.

EXTRA: Something very shocking I found from one of the videos:

The Ted talk of Alex Steffen was recorded a decade ago, and viewers were stunned when Alex

Steffen presented a diagram depicting the planet's projected state in 20 years. Despite only a

decade having passed, the world's population has already surpassed 7.8 billion, with Steffen

initially predicting 8 billion.