Page 691 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

• Colleges and universities can favor sustainable products in Discuss how environmental protection can enhance
institutional purchasing. (p. 680) economic well-being
• Campuses can use alternative fuels and vehicles and • Environmental protection and green technologies and indus-
encourage bicycling, walking, and public transportation. tries can create rich sources of new jobs. (pp. 683–684)
(pp. 680–681)
• Safeguarding environmental quality enhances a community’s
• Restoration of plants, habitat, and landscapes are popular desirability and economic well-being. (p. 684)
campus sustainability activities. (pp. 681–682)
Assess key approaches to designing sustainable
• To address climate change, a current drive is to make cam- solutions
puses “carbon-neutral.” (p. 682)
• Ten general approaches can inspire specific sustainable
• A movement urging divestment from fossil fuel corpora- solutions. (pp. 684–688)
tions is gaining momentum quickly (pp. 682–683)
Explain how time is limited yet human potential to
Explain the concept of sustainable development solve problems is tremendous
• Sustainable development entails environmental protection, • Time for turning around our environmental impacts is run-
economic development, and social justice. (p. 683) ning short. (p. 688)

• Proponents of sustainable development feel that economic • The United States and other nations have met tremendous
development and environmental quality can enhance one challenges before, so we have reason to hope that we will
another. (pp. 683–684) be able to attain a sustainable society. (pp. 688–689)

testing your Comprehension

1. What is the first step toward a sustainable campus? 6. What accounts for the view that people’s needs cannot
2. Describe one way in which campus sustainability proponents be provided for and the environment cannot be protected
have addressed each of the following issues: (1) recycling simultaneously?
and waste reduction, (2) “green” building, and (3) water 7. Why are many people now living at the highest level
conservation. of material prosperity in history? Is this level of con-
3. Describe one way in which campus sustainability proponents sumption sustainable? How can we consume less while
have addressed each of the following issues: (1) energy improving our quality of life?
efficiency, (2) renewable energy, and (3) global climate 8. In what ways can technology help us achieve sustainabil-
change. ity? How do natural processes provide good models of
4. Describe one way in which campus sustainability proponents sustainability for manufacturing? Provide examples.
have addressed each of the following issues: (1) dining 9. Why do many people feel that local self-sufficiency is
services, (2) institutional purchasing, (3) trans-portation, important? What consequences of globalization may
and (4) habitat restoration. threaten sustainability? How can open democratic socie-
5. What do environmental scientists mean by sustainable ties help to promote sustainability?
development? 10. What is the definition of true progress for our entire planet?

Seeking Solutions

1. What sustainability initiatives would you like to see item or product as you can, and determine how each of
attempted on your campus? If you were to take the lead them was obtained or created. Now refer to Figure 24.19
in promoting such initiatives, how would you go about it? as a guide. What steps were involved in creating your
What obstacles would you expect to face, and how would item’s components, and where did the raw materials
you deal with them? come from? How was your item manufactured? How was
2. Choose one item or product that you enjoy, and consider it delivered to you?
690 how it came to be. Think of as many components of the

M24_WITH7428_05_SE_C24.indd 690 13/12/14 10:40 AM