1. Technology
1.1. Robotic Surgery
1.1.1. Facts
1.1.1.1. Researchers and scientists did surgery on a grape to test out robotic surgery
1.1.1.2. This was originally intended for military use
1.1.1.3. Used Everyday in urology
1.1.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
1.1.2.1. Allows surgeries to be more accurate, so there is less chance for human error and more success on surgeries so humans can survive
1.1.2.2. Also gives third world countries access to doctors. Other countries would just need access to this technology, and then an educated doctor can perform successful surgeries from anywhere in the world
1.1.2.3. Will improve health and life of humans
1.2. Artificial Intelligence
1.2.1. Facts
1.2.1.1. As AI shapes a new relationship with the world around us, it will force us to embrace more creative jobs and learn new professions almost every decade.
1.2.1.2. The idea of universal income has started to been talked about again in recent years, thanks to Tesla’s Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who both say automation is changing the traditional employment model.
1.2.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability
1.2.2.1. As AI shapes a new relationship, countries will have to do the same in the future; new alliances will have to form while other economies might suffer irreparable damage.
1.2.2.2. There may be a repeat of the 19th century industrial revolution, where a few countries industrialized first, while most countries were far behind and the industrial powers dominated and exploited everyone else.
1.2.2.3. Many countries don't have the resources and the infrastructure to develop by themselves as an IT sector
2. Politicals
2.1. Globalization: Good, Bad, and Ugly
2.1.1. Facts
2.1.1.1. The good side of globalization is all about the efficiencies and opportunities open markets create
2.1.1.2. The bad side of globalization is all about the new risks and uncertainties brought about by the high degree of integration of domestic and local markets, intensification of competition, and much more
2.1.1.3. The ugly side of globalization is when nations and local communities try to escape the vicious cycle of income and employment declines through because of currency devaluations; and by raising trade barriers that put an end to globalization and a beginning to trade wars
2.1.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
2.1.2.1. The growth of communication between businesses is great for the economy
2.1.2.2. Easy credit is considered as the good side of globalization, however we're having a very large growing issue with debt in this economy which is not sustainable or good
2.1.2.3. The pricing power companies have is decreasing and they are constantly under pressure by competitors, therefore hurting the economy, business, and people
2.2. Universal Basic Income
2.2.1. Facts
2.2.1.1. Includes Welfare, Medicare, Medicaid, and more.
2.2.1.2. You have to live under a certain income
2.2.1.3. Has its pros and cons; the system can be misused
2.2.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
2.2.2.1. It covers the 'cost of living' for some people, therefore allowing them to live a bit of a better and safer life than if they were to not have this income
2.2.2.2. This system can be misused which would therefore hurt the economy (trigger inflation) and challenge sustainability
2.2.2.3. Potentially decreases poverty and reduces income inequality
2.2.2.4. Gives people some freedom to pursue an education and not worry about work yet
2.3. Bernie Sanders Medicaid For All
2.3.1. Facts
2.3.1.1. The Sanders plan intends to provide a future in which all Americans have health coverage and pay nothing out of pocket when they visit the doctor
2.3.1.2. Does not provide detail about how such a generous health care system would be funded
2.3.1.3. Americans’ taxes would have to change to pay for this kind of proposal
2.3.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
2.3.2.1. Possibility for larger costs than what it seems could challenge sustainability efforts by hurting the economy
2.3.2.2. Providing insurance to all would ultimately prove to be very sustainable and help with health issues, allowing people to take care of themselves and potentially increase life expectancy
2.4. Brexit
2.4.1. Facts
2.4.1.1. Brexit comes from Britain leaving the European Union
2.4.1.2. When the UK leaves the EU, the 310-mile border between Ireland and Northern Ireland will become the land border between the UK and the European Union.
2.4.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
2.4.2.1. There must be a deal between the UK and EU so any exit must be done smoothly for the purposes of businesses and individuals. The two sides would need to plan out a permanent trading relationship in order to help business run smoothly.
2.4.2.2. Britain's exit must be done carefully and with caution, otherwise it can cause large disruptions in the economy.
2.4.2.2.1. If not done carefully, the sides can result in a return to checkpoints, towers, customs posts or surveillance cameras at the border, in case it reignites troubles and disrupts the free cross-border flow of trade and people
3. Waste
3.1. Fast Fashion
3.1.1. Facts
3.1.1.1. Includes big companies like H&M, Zara, Forever 21, etc.
3.1.1.2. Fast Fashion is when companies produce a lot of clothes and push it out quickly and then if there's anything left at the end of the season, heavily discount it
3.1.1.3. Zara thought about making a small amount of clothes for a short period of time, he redefined and created fast fashion, and produced and introduced new clothes every few weeks so it makes clothes more unique, makes people visit the store more frequently, and they buy the clothes right away because they know it won't be available later, so people can't wait for a sale.
3.1.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
3.1.2.1. High carbon emissions from factories is bad for the environment
3.1.2.2. High amounts of textile waste
3.1.2.3. Textile dyeing pollutes clean water
3.1.2.4. Toxic chemicals used in clothes can be harmful to people
3.1.2.5. Can lead to the depletion of water
3.1.2.6. Creates micro-plastics and ocean pollution
3.1.2.7. Fast fashion cuts corners on safety for employees
3.1.3. What can we do?
3.1.3.1. Don't shop at brands that produce Fast Fashion; shop from sustainable brands
3.1.3.2. Buy less clothes
3.1.3.3. THRIFTSHOP to reduce, reuse, recycle!!
3.2. Zero-Waste
3.2.1. Facts
3.2.1.1. Make entire country be less wasteful
3.2.1.2. Although it might be impossible to achieve zero waste, we can reduce the amount of waste we produce immensely
3.2.1.3. Landfills continue to grow and will not stop until we do something
3.2.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
3.2.2.1. Being extremely wasteful hurts the environment, encourages climate change, and increases our global footprint
3.2.2.2. Landfills continue to grow and produce greenhouse gas as well as other gases, which are bad for humans and animals.
3.2.3. What can we do?
3.2.3.1. Separate our trash
3.2.3.2. Educate people, and start educating to younger ages
3.3. The Future of Coal in Germany
3.3.1. Facts
3.3.1.1. Germany to close all 84 of its coal-fired power plants, will rely primarily on renewable energy
3.3.1.2. Because of the decision to get rid of coal plants, it is likely that Germany will now meet the target of a 55% reduction from 1990 CO2 levels by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2050.
3.3.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
3.3.2.1. Researchers in Germany are saying it’s a big moment for climate policy, that could make the country a leader in fighting climate change, once again.
3.3.2.2. Business leaders worry it would raise electricity prices. It also might make industries less competitive against foreign rivals.
3.3.2.3. Because of this new green thumb Germany acquired, the commissioners decided to cancel plans to clear the last 250 acres of the Hambach Forest which was going to be used as an open-pit mine.
3.3.3. What can we do?
3.3.3.1. Use our voice to enforce policies already in place, like the Clean Air Act
3.3.3.2. Influence our government to be apart of helping the climate and agreements such as the Landmark Paris Climate Accord. As lone as we support this and want this, then our government will start to listen and participate
4. Environment
4.1. Bees Dying
4.1.1. Facts
4.1.1.1. Not only an issue in the US, but in European countries too
4.1.1.2. Plants are dependent on bees
4.1.1.3. 1/3 of meals are made by honeybees and 1/3 of our food is pollination dependent
4.1.1.4. Bees started disappearing in 2006
4.1.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
4.1.2.1. Bee deaths lead to the loss of habitats and climate change
4.1.2.1.1. If we lost bees, we would lose the plants they pollinate and the animals that eat those plants, and so on, up the food chain
4.1.2.2. We need bees to continue to help plants grow and help produce our food
4.1.2.2.1. Honey bees are responsible for $30 billion a year in crops
4.1.3. What can we do?
4.1.3.1. Don't kill bees
4.1.3.2. Buy honey from local farms rather than large brands
4.1.3.3. In 2009, Plan Bee in UK demanding funding for research to be done on pesticides which led to ban of harmful chemicals
4.2. Refined Algae
4.2.1. Facts
4.2.1.1. Refined algae oil can replace gas in cars
4.2.1.2. Algae may be viable enough to solve sustainability issues
4.2.1.3. Seaweed counts as algae, so we can eat it too
4.2.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
4.2.2.1. Helps offer an idea to reduce waste
4.2.2.2. Provides a healthier and more natural option to help the planet and humans thrive
4.2.3. What can we do?
4.2.3.1. Use sources like algae and implement it into our daily lives to be less wasteful
4.3. Environment Then & Now
4.3.1. Facts
4.3.1.1. Andrew Wheeler appointed to permanent EPA job; conflict of interest, they're former lobbyists
4.3.1.2. We have a massive issue with amounts of carbon being produced
4.3.1.2.1. People say we have no way to measure it or see, but we do have data proving the amounts of carbon, so we do know and can see it is a problem
4.3.1.3. Trump wants to bring back coal jobs and said he would but he's not going on his promises so far
4.3.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
4.3.2.1. Climate change is happening and catching up to us quicker than we may think
4.3.2.2. Republicans are starting to see climate change; they believe it has nothing to do with us because it's not man-made and we did not cause it therefore it could still be happening even without industrialization, and it's not their responsibility
4.3.2.2.1. This is a problem because we need the government's help to solve this issue, so instead of worrying about point fingers and who to blame, we just need to start tackling this issue
4.3.2.3. Bringing back coal jobs will not be sustainable and will hurt the environment
4.4. Great Barrier Reef is Dying
4.4.1. Facts
4.4.1.1. Climate change warms oceans which causes under water heat waves and coral can't survive long heat periods
4.4.1.2. This reef is located off of the northeastern coast of Australia
4.4.1.3. It's the largest living thing visible from space at 1,500 miles long and largest coral reef on the planet
4.4.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
4.4.2.1. In 2016 articles began surfacing about effects of global warming on coral reefs, especially on the largest one
4.4.2.2. Bad news for reefs is also bad news for the rest of the ocean and for humanity, since we depend on the planet's seas.
4.4.2.3. A healthy ocean depends on reefs. Reefs provide jobs for people in fishing and tourism industries, and they also protect coastal areas from surging seas.
4.4.3. What can we do?
4.4.3.1. Scientists can use reefs in the U.S., such as in Florida or Hawaii, to run tests and figure out how to resolve the issue
4.4.3.2. We can try to reduce our global footprint to hopefully reduce the effects of global warming
4.4.3.3. We need to educate people on the issue, and make sure this issue is addressed in government by politicians
5. Agriculture
5.1. Ground Water & Aquifer Repletion
5.1.1. Facts
5.1.1.1. Based off of the Ogallala Aquifer
5.1.1.1.1. At least $20 billion worth of food and fiber materials are being used by that one aquifer alone.
5.1.1.2. U.S. plains go dry every year
5.1.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
5.1.2.1. We need aquifers to help produce food during droughts
5.1.2.2. We need water for agriculture
5.1.3. What can we do?
5.1.3.1. More money needs to be put into research and developmental efforts
5.1.3.2. Leave stubble on field to prevent erosion
5.1.3.3. Stop pulling from aquifer
5.2. Health Impacts of Industrial Agriculture
5.2.1. Facts
5.2.1.1. Food is chemically produced
5.2.1.2. Some pesticides and bacteria that natural food has is good
5.2.1.3. Hurricane Florence caused a lot of flooding, killing off livestock and farms.
5.2.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
5.2.2.1. We miss out on natural components of food grown naturally, such as the good pesticides and bacteria
5.2.2.2. Industrial agriculture contributes to bees dying at high rates
5.2.2.3. Contributes to loss of mid-size farms (only small farms and very large farms thrive); this impacts the economy and people.
5.2.2.4. Decreases biodiversity and increases habitat loses
5.2.3. What can we do?
5.2.3.1. Support farms that produce food naturally
5.2.3.2. Educate ourselves
5.2.3.3. Grow your own food
5.3. Deforestation
5.3.1. Facts
5.3.1.1. Deforestation has become a global issue
5.3.1.2. Cutting down trees and reducing the amount of forests immensely
5.3.2. How does this topic enforce or challenge efforts regarding sustainability?
5.3.2.1. Influences animal and plant life extinction
5.3.2.2. Encourages global warming
5.3.2.3. Creates environmental changes
5.3.3. What can we do?
5.3.3.1. Help implement laws/policies or vote for those who will help with the problems of deforestation
5.3.3.2. Have a voice in the matter and fight for not allowing deforestation
5.3.3.3. Plant trees