1. Chapter 1 The Environmental Dilemmas We Face

2. A World In Crisis How long have humans been on the planet? How long have humans been on the planet? Humans increasingly impact the environment: how? Humans increasingly impact the environment: how? We can’t ignore environmental problems We can’t ignore environmental problems

3. Human Population Overpopulation: how many people live on Earth? Overpopulation: how many people live on Earth? About 43% of humans live in extreme poverty About 43% of humans live in extreme poverty How big will our population get? How big will our population get? How big can our population get? How big can our population get? Consumption & economic growth Consumption & economic growth

4. Rich & Poor Highly developed countries: ≈ 20% of world’s population Highly developed countries: ≈ 20% of world’s population Poor countries Poor countries Moderately developed Moderately developed Less developed (LDCs) Less developed (LDCs)

5. Characteristics of LDCs Cheap, unskilled labor Cheap, unskilled labor Economy agriculturally based Economy agriculturally based Hunger, disease, illiteracy common Hunger, disease, illiteracy common

6. Rich vs. Poor Developing countries Developing countries Rapid population growth is overwhelming Rapid population growth is overwhelming Natural resource depletion Natural resource depletion Developed countries Developed countries Slower population growth Slower population growth Higher rate of consumption Higher rate of consumption

7. Types of Resources Nonrenewable Nonrenewable Limited supply Limited supply Once they’re gone, they’re gone Once they’re gone, they’re gone Examples? Examples? Renewable Renewable Virtually unlimited Virtually unlimited Replenished over relatively short periods Replenished over relatively short periods Examples? Examples? Easy to overexploit ---> nonrenewable Easy to overexploit ---> nonrenewable

8. Population & Resources Economic growth tied to exploiting natural resources Economic growth tied to exploiting natural resources Developed countries have utilized many of their resources Developed countries have utilized many of their resources Use of natural resources tied to poverty Use of natural resources tied to poverty

9. Population & Consumption People overpopulation People overpopulation Environment getting worse Environment getting worse Too many people Too many people Consumption overpopulation Consumption overpopulation Environment getting worse Environment getting worse Use far more than necessary: why? Use far more than necessary: why?

10. Too Much Stuff! Highly developed countries Highly developed countries 20% world’s population consume: 20% world’s population consume: 86% aluminum 86% aluminum 76% harvested timber 76% harvested timber 68% energy 68% energy 61% meat eaten 61% meat eaten 42% fresh water 42% fresh water Developing countries are starting to consume more: why? Developing countries are starting to consume more: why?

11. Ecological Footprints Productive land and ocean needed to supply person with her/his needs Productive land and ocean needed to supply person with her/his needs What if we all had the same footprint? What if we all had the same footprint?

12. Population, Consumption, & Environmental Impact I = P x A x T I = P x A x T I: Environmental impact I: Environmental impact P: Population P: Population A: Affluence per person A: Affluence per person T: Technology used T: Technology used Interpret results with care! Interpret results with care! Ultimate goal: make consumption sustanble Ultimate goal: make consumption sustanble

13. Environmental Sustainability Sustainability: environment will function indefinitely Sustainability: environment will function indefinitely Based on: Based on: Effects of our actions on the environment Effects of our actions on the environment Earth’s resources are finite Earth’s resources are finite Understanding impact of consumption Understanding impact of consumption Shared responsibility Shared responsibility

14. Does This Sound Sustainable? Nonrenewable resources being rapidly depleted Nonrenewable resources being rapidly depleted Many renewable resources being used in a nonrenewable way Many renewable resources being used in a nonrenewable way

15. Does This Sound Sustainable? Environment is being polluted Environment is being polluted Human population is increasing Human population is increasing

16. What is Environmental Science? Interdisciplinary Interdisciplinary Broad field Broad field Ecology is a basic tool Ecology is a basic tool Goals Goals Establish general principles about how the natural world functions Establish general principles about how the natural world functions Identifying, understanding, and solving problems Identifying, understanding, and solving problems

17. What is Science? Not just a body of knowledge Not just a body of knowledge Dynamic process Dynamic process Requires collection of data Requires collection of data An ongoing enterprise An ongoing enterprise Requires reevaluation Requires reevaluation

18. The Scientific Method Used to answer questions Used to answer questions Five steps Five steps 1) Ask question 2) Develop a hypothesis 3) Experiment 4) Interpret data ---> conclusion 5) Share findings Does not need to be done in order! Does not need to be done in order!

19. The Process of Science A good hypothesis makes a prediction A good hypothesis makes a prediction Experiment Experiment Variable: factor that influences a process Variable: factor that influences a process Control group: variable isn’t altered Control group: variable isn’t altered Theory Theory Integrated explanation of numerous hypotheses Integrated explanation of numerous hypotheses Solid ground of science Solid ground of science Accepted as true Accepted as true

20. Handling Environmental Problems Five stages: Five stages: 1) Scientific assessment 2) Risk analysis 3) Public education & involvement 4) Political action 5) Evaluation

21. Handling Environmental Problems

22. NIMBY & NIMTOO Not in my backyard Not in my backyard Not in my term of office Not in my term of office What situations cause people to say these? What situations cause people to say these? How practical are these? How practical are these?

23. Case Study: Tropical Rain Forests vs. Agriculture Many developing countries clear rain forest for agricultural land Many developing countries clear rain forest for agricultural land Environmental consequences? Environmental consequences? Reduces long-term potential for local people: how? Reduces long-term potential for local people: how? What are some potential benefits from a standing rain forest? What are some potential benefits from a standing rain forest?