环境科学概论教学课件(第一讲)摘要.ppt

* 2 Emerging global issues Drought Flooding * Global warming * Rising sea level * Ecological damage * acid rain * 2.1 Environmental governance The issues of trade, economic development, good governance, transfer of technology, science and education policies, and globalization, which links them together, have become a more central issue. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 Destruction of coastal wetland * 2.2 Important international organization and convention In order to solve the common environmental issues, several international organizations were founded, and several international conventions were established. The united nations conference on environment and development (1992, UNCED) sustainable development Agenda 21 The earth summit The Kyoto conference on climate change (1997) the Kyoto protocol Climate change The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) supported many environmental programs. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment * For sustainable development to be achieved, the relationship between the environment and development must be examined. It is also important to consider the endpoint of development:  Human well-being Human well-being is the outcome of development. Human well-being and the quality of the environmental are strongly interrelated. 3 Human well-being and the environment * 3.1 Defining Human well-being Defining human well-being is not easy, due to differing views on what it means. * Human well-being can be classified according to three views, each of which has different implications for the environment: The resources people have, such as money and other assets. Wealth is viewed as important to human well-being. This view is closely linked to the concept of weak sustainability, in which the environment can contribute to development only as a means to promote economic growth. How people feel about t