GGH3701 Study Notes
Learning unit 1
1. Interconnection Between Environmental Change and Population
Key Idea: Population growth and urbanization increase pressure on natural
resources, often leading to environmental degradation (e.g., deforestation,
pollution, and loss of biodiversity).
Example: In Southern Africa, population growth has led to water scarcity and
land degradation due to overuse of agricultural land.
2. Resource Management Approaches
Understand the following approaches:
Conservation: Protecting resources from overuse (e.g., national parks).
Preservation: Keeping environments in their natural state, with minimal human
interference.
Sustainable Use: Balancing current use with future availability.
Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded environments.
Integrated Resource Management (IRM): Coordinated management across
sectors and stakeholders.
Application Tip: Match the approach to the issue (e.g., use restoration for degraded
land, IRM for water catchment areas with multiple users).
3. Determining the Main Contributor to Environmental Change
Look for:
o Direct causes: e.g., deforestation from logging.
o Indirect drivers: e.g., policy failure, poverty.
Use tools like the DPSIR framework (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact,
Response) to analyze scenarios.
4. Assessing Degradation Using Driving Forces, Pressures, Causes, and
Consequences
Drivers: Economic development, population growth.
Pressures: Deforestation, pollution, overfishing.
State change: Loss of vegetation, water scarcity.
, Impacts: Biodiversity loss, food insecurity.
Response: Policy changes, conservation initiatives.
5. Sustainable Development: Core Concepts
Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising
future generations.
Primary Principles:
o Intergenerational equity
o Intragenerational equity (social justice)
o Precautionary principle
o Polluter pays principle
o Participation and inclusivity
o Environmental integrity
Differing Views:
o Some argue it’s too vague or economically focused.
o Others see it as a flexible framework for balancing development and
conservation.
6. Applying Sustainable Development Principles to Scenarios
Example: A mining project threatening water sources:
o Apply Precautionary Principle (avoid irreversible damage).
o Consider Polluter Pays if pollution occurs.
o Participation principle may guide community involvement.
7. Stay Up to Date with Environmental Challenges
Southern Africa’s drought: Linked to climate change, El Niño, poor water
management.
Wildlife poaching: Driven by demand (Asia), weak law enforcement, poverty.
Other Trends: Deforestation, urban sprawl, desertification.
Learning unit 2
Learning unit 1
1. Interconnection Between Environmental Change and Population
Key Idea: Population growth and urbanization increase pressure on natural
resources, often leading to environmental degradation (e.g., deforestation,
pollution, and loss of biodiversity).
Example: In Southern Africa, population growth has led to water scarcity and
land degradation due to overuse of agricultural land.
2. Resource Management Approaches
Understand the following approaches:
Conservation: Protecting resources from overuse (e.g., national parks).
Preservation: Keeping environments in their natural state, with minimal human
interference.
Sustainable Use: Balancing current use with future availability.
Restoration: Rehabilitating degraded environments.
Integrated Resource Management (IRM): Coordinated management across
sectors and stakeholders.
Application Tip: Match the approach to the issue (e.g., use restoration for degraded
land, IRM for water catchment areas with multiple users).
3. Determining the Main Contributor to Environmental Change
Look for:
o Direct causes: e.g., deforestation from logging.
o Indirect drivers: e.g., policy failure, poverty.
Use tools like the DPSIR framework (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact,
Response) to analyze scenarios.
4. Assessing Degradation Using Driving Forces, Pressures, Causes, and
Consequences
Drivers: Economic development, population growth.
Pressures: Deforestation, pollution, overfishing.
State change: Loss of vegetation, water scarcity.
, Impacts: Biodiversity loss, food insecurity.
Response: Policy changes, conservation initiatives.
5. Sustainable Development: Core Concepts
Definition: Development that meets present needs without compromising
future generations.
Primary Principles:
o Intergenerational equity
o Intragenerational equity (social justice)
o Precautionary principle
o Polluter pays principle
o Participation and inclusivity
o Environmental integrity
Differing Views:
o Some argue it’s too vague or economically focused.
o Others see it as a flexible framework for balancing development and
conservation.
6. Applying Sustainable Development Principles to Scenarios
Example: A mining project threatening water sources:
o Apply Precautionary Principle (avoid irreversible damage).
o Consider Polluter Pays if pollution occurs.
o Participation principle may guide community involvement.
7. Stay Up to Date with Environmental Challenges
Southern Africa’s drought: Linked to climate change, El Niño, poor water
management.
Wildlife poaching: Driven by demand (Asia), weak law enforcement, poverty.
Other Trends: Deforestation, urban sprawl, desertification.
Learning unit 2
