ENRM: Course Slogans

In our Environmental and Natural Resources Management course, we traced the history between biocapacity and human consumption by exploring the historical trends, modern challenges, and future opportunities. Here is a summary of what we discussed:

From iPad to IPAT: How Your Purchases Affect the Planet | Session 1 (Jan 10)

IPAT (I = P x A x T) is a formula used to describe the impact of human activity on the environment, where I = Human Impact, P = Population, A = Affluence, and T = Technology. This describes how exponential growth in population, affluence, and technology come together to contribute to anthropogenic environmental damage. Some food for thought: what is the environmental impact of your lifestyle? Do you know where your iPad really comes from?

The Beauty and the Beasts of Biodiversity | Session 2 (Jan 24)

Biodiversity not only gives our planet its color, vibrance, and beauty — but it also is an essential, expansive set of interconnected ecosystems and habitats that provide the appropriate resources to support life on Earth. Who are the beasts working against this natural process? Often, it’s humanity itself.

Keeping it Natural: Why Conservation of Natural Resources is Critical to Our Survival | Session 3 (Jan 24)

Biodiversity extends beyond animal and plant species to incorporate natural resources such as water, air, and soil. These natural resources will deplete if not protected, thereby threatening the life cycle of Earth and breaking down the essential building blocks required for life.

POPs = Persistent Odious Pollution? | Session 4 (Jan 25)

The pollution our planet faces as a result of ignorant — even odious — human processes is deplorable and inexcusable. As our human family began to learn how traditional fossil fuels and chemical pesticides used in industry and agriculture are damaging to the environment, we made some initial important changes. However, the true battle against pollution has slowed — giving way to more greenhouse gases and emergency situations such as oil spills. The data exists, but we ignore its impacts and sacrifice long-term energy and environmental security for short-term economic benefit.

Humans and Their Habitat: Conscious Self-Destruction? | Session 5 (Jan 25)

If humans are arguably the only species with advanced reasoning, consciousness, language and communication — and if our habitat is clearly depleting due to our own human actions — does this mean we are engaging in conscious self-destruction? The resistance to address environmental and natural resources management may therefore be the most unnatural behavior a species could possibly engage in. Are we rejecting our own biological reality?

Certifying Sustainability: Is It Possible? | Session 6 (Jan 25)

With the myriad of certification systems and auditing recommendations that exist throughout environmental and natural resources management, which systems are best? What gaps may they have? How do corporations use these certifications to support their business activity? Perhaps most importantly, how can we work together to ensure that certifications are not just paperwork, but can be transformed into practice?

1 comentario / 27 Jan 2013 por Kelly Elizabeth Behrend
IMSD /

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