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Land Conservation and Sustainability. Module 6 Lesson 5. Big Ideas for Conservation and Sustainability. The economic values of the important ecological services provided by the world’s ecosystems are far greater than the value of the raw materials obtained from those systems.
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Land Conservation and Sustainability Module 6 Lesson 5
Big Ideas for Conservation and Sustainability • The economic values of the important ecological services provided by the world’s ecosystems are far greater than the value of the raw materials obtained from those systems. • We can manage forests, grasslands, parks, and nature preserves more effectively by protecting more land, preventing over-use of these areas, and using renewable resources provided by them no faster than such resources can be replenished by natural processes.
Big Ideas for Conservation and Sustainability • We can sustain terrestrial biodiversity by protecting severely threatened areas, protecting remaining undisturbed areas, restoring damaged ecosystems, and sharing with other species much of the land we dominate. 4H Environmental Science, University of Tennessee, cc 2.0
Sustainability • Something is sustainable when it meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Environmental Worldviews • Anthropocentric- human-centered, considers that human beings have intrinsic value and nature should provide for our needs. • Biocentric- life-centered, says humans are just one of many species on Earth, all of which have equal value. • Ecocentric- Earth-centered, places equal value on all living organisms and the ecosystems in which they live, and it demands that we consider nature free of any associations with our own existence.
The Ecocity Concept • Principles of sustainability: • Build cities for people not cars. • Use renewable energy resources. • Use solar-power living machines and wetlands for waste water treatment. • Depend largely on recycled water. • Use energy and matter efficiently. • Prevent pollution and reduce waste. • Reuse and recycle at least 60% of municipal solid waste.
The Ecocity Concept • Protect biodiversity by preserving, protecting, and restoring surrounding natural areas. • Promote urban gardens and farmers markets. • Build communities that promote cultural and economic diversity. • Use zoning and other tools to keep the human population and environmentally sustainable levels.
The Ecocity Concept • An ecocity allows people to walk, bike, or take mass transit for most of their travel, and it recycles and reuses most of its wastes, grows much of its own food, and protects biodiversity by preserving surrounding land. Ecocity Concept, cc. 2.0