Question
In Week one use the ebooks and the selected readings available to you in this class to answer the following question
?How might geography apply to creating environmental sustainability? Provide specific examples.
Substantive Participation Points: To earn your points, your messages must meet the eight substantive requirements detailed in the Instructor Policies document.
answer
Application of Geography in environment sustainability
The understanding and application geographical skills are essential in planning place and space for environmental sustainability. According to Dahlman & Renwick (2014), geography, in theory, and practice, assist in the conception of the sophisticated design of environmentally sustainable development projects. For example, spatial analysis skills are used in developing and implementing efficient methods for resources utilization. Spatial analysis helps in refining and extending the design geographies that are not only environmentally sustainable but are also efficient in socio-economic costs and benefits. Both urban and regional planning require the application of geographical modelling to incorporate environmental sustainability concepts.
Geography tools and concepts such as remote sensing and GIS are used in modelling of demographic and economic factors for environmental sustainability. The geographical models facilitate the understanding of complex outcomes of development projects. Thus, future costs and benefits can be evaluated with a high degree of certainty, which is critical in the process of selecting the effective development strategies that are environmentally sustainable. Furthermore, the dissemination and presentation of information using easy to understand GIS format promotes the participation of people in the decision-making processes. Consequently, local communities are empowered to set the development agenda that is consistent with their environmental sustainability concerns.
Human geography and environmental sustainability
Human geography provides decision makers with valuable information about locality a focal point for environmental sustainability. Through geographical studies, policy makers and development agencies can confirm the shared values and the willingness to work for a common value, for people living within a defined geographical area. Also, information on the interlinkages between cultural values and physical geography is obtained and analyzed for the purpose of identifying challenges and opportunities for environmental sustainability Dodson & Gleeson, 2009). Such studies, enable policy makers to determine environmental injustices and inequalities that must be addressed to promote sustainability. Therefore, environmental sustainability relies on the application of geographical skills and knowledge in designing and implementation of a development project.
References
Dahlman, C. T., & Renwick, W. H. (2014). Welcome to Geography: People, Places, & Environment (6th ed.). : Pearson Education Company
Dodson, J., & Gleeson, B. (2009). Urban planning and human geography (pp. 77-83). Elsevier.
