Transcript Use & Abuse of the Environment

Use & Abuse of the
Environment
2 extreme views of the environment
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Basic Pessimist Model
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Cowboy approach to economy is not sustainable
“Spaceship Earth” – resources are finite
Current econ growth exceeds carrying capacity
Need holistic approach – conservation, pop control…
Basic Optimist Model
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Finite resources but infinite productivity possibilities
Adaptation / mitigation
Negative feedback loops – market led adjustment
Backstop technologies triggered by price signals.
Historical relationship with the
environment – different phases
Nature is all powerful / awesome!
 Theories of Possibilism, Determinism
 Man is all powerful
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burn and move
bend nature to suit mankind
Hey, maybe there is a problem???
 Co-exist harmoniously  sustainability
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Economic – Environmental trade-offs
Marginal analysis of costs & benefits
Uses / value of the environment
Survival
 “Land” = resource supply
 Waste assimilation
 Recreation
 Preservation of habitat / species
 Non-use value (option value)
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Abuse of the environment – 5 ways that
humans damage the environment
Harvest exceeding Natural Recharge Rate
 Selective nurturing of species
 Introduce “alien” species
 Destroy Habitats, cause Islandization
 Pollution, anthropogenic GHG emissions
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(anthropogenic? anthropocentric?)