Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability 1

Sunset BusinessesCoal miningOil productionNuclear powerEnergy-wasting motorvehiclesMiningThrowaway productsClear-cut loggingPaper productionConventional pesticideproductionUnsustainable farmingWater well drillingConventional economicsConventional engineering,design, and architectureBusiness travelEnvironmentallySustainableEconomy(Eco-Economy)Solar-cell productionHydrogen productionFuel-cell productionWind turbine productionWind farm constructionGeothermal energyproductionProduction of energyefficientfuel-cell cars,trucks, and busesConventional and electricbicycle productionLight-rail constructionSustainable agricultureIntegrated pestmanagementAquacultureRecycling, reuse, andcompostingSustainable forestryEco-Friendly BusinessesSoil conservationWater conservationPollution preventionEcoindustrial designBiodiversitymanagement andprotectionEcological restorationDisease preventionEnvironmentalengineering, design,and architectureEcocity urban designEnvironmental scienceEnvironmental educationEcological economicsEnvironmentalaccountingTeleconferencingFigure 26-17The projecteddecline of environmentallyharmful, or sunset,businessesand rise of moreenvironmentallysustainable, oreco-friendly,businesses duringthis century.As this transitiontakesplace, jobs willdecrease insunset businesses(left)and increase ineco-friendlybusinesses(right). (Datafrom Lester R.Brown, EarthPolicy Institute)2. According to one definition, sustainable developmentinvolves meeting the needs of the present human generationwithout compromising the ability of future generationsto meet their needs, as discussed in Chapter 1. Whatdo you believe are the needs referred to in this definition?Compare this definition with the definition of environmentallysustainable economic development given inFigure 26-5, p. 588.3. Suppose that over the next 20 years the current harmfulenvironmental and health costs of goods and servicesare internalized so that their market prices reflect theirtotal costs. What harmful and beneficial effects mightsuch full-cost pricing have on your lifestyle?4. Explain why you agree or disagree with the proposalsthat various analysts have made for sharply reducingpoverty, as discussed on pages 599–600, Which two ofthese proposals do you believe are the most important?5. Explain why you agree or disagree with each of themajor principles for shifting to a more environmentallysustainable economy listed in Figure 26-16, p. 602. Whichthree do you believe are the most important?6. Congratulations! You are in charge of the world. Listyour five most important actions for shifting to ecoeconomiesover the next 50 years.PROJECTS1. List all the economic goods you use, and then identifythose that meet your basic needs and those that satisfyyour wants. Identify any economic wants you (a) wouldbe willing to give up, (b) you believe you should give upbut are unwilling to, and (c) hope to give up in the future.Relate the results of this analysis to your personal impacton the environment. Compare your results with those ofyour classmates.2. Pick one of the suggestions listed under “Eco-FriendlyBusiness” in Figure 26-17 (above) and develop a businessplan for a company that would provide the service youselected. For example, assume you’ll go into the businessof ecological restoration and describe: (a) your service,(b) your customers, (c) your mission statement, and(d) your strategy for promoting the business.3. Pick a regulation in the state or country where youlive (such as a water pollution law or regulation) and examinehow it affects businesses and other organizations.Determine whether it is an innovation-friendly regulationand explain why or why not. If not, how could it bemade more innovation-friendly?4. Interview officials at a company in your town or regionto get their views on one or more environmentalhttp://biology.brookscole.com/miller14603