1. Chapter 1: Key Themes in Environmental Sciences

2. 1.1 Major Themes of Environmental Science 1. Our population has more than doubled in the last 40 years 6.8 billion people alive today 2. Continuing on this trend would lead to 9.4 billion by 2050 3. How many people can the Earth sustain? Depends on science and value Also question of people and nature

3. 1.2 Human Population Growth Human Population density is over 6.3 billion It has doubled over the past 40 years Due to science advancements Reduced infant mortality John Eli Miller Family Example of family population explosion

5. 1.2 Human Population Growth Miller family emphasizes a major factor in modern population explosion Modern technology Modern medicine Supply of food, clothing and shelter All decrease the death rate and increase net growth rate

7. Our Rapid Population Growth Human population growth is the underlying issue of the environment. Damage is directly or indirectly due to pop inc

8. Famine and Food Crisis Famine occurs when human pop exceeds its environmental resources Sahel region of Africa in 1970s ½ million people starved to death Millions affected by malnutrition Emerging global food crisis Due to rise in fuel cost = higher food cost

9. Famine and Food Crisis

10. Food Crisis

11. 1.3 Sustainability and Carrying Capacity What is the maximum number of people the Earth can sustain? Much of this book will help answer that ? Currently we are using resources unsustainably. Faster that they can be replenished.

12. Sustainability: The Environmental Objective Is Earth very survival really in danger? Earth will go on w/o us Quality of human enviro at risk

13. Sustainability Sustainability refers to resources and their environment. Sustainable resource harvest Same quantity of that resource can be harvested each year for an unlimited amount of time. Sustainable ecosystem An ecosystem from which we are harvesting a resource that is still able to maintain its essential functions/properties.

14. Sustainability Two points to understanding sustainability Sustainability means for an unspecified long period of time. Sustainable growth is an oxymoron.

15. Sustainable Global Economy Population of humans living in harmony w/ natural support systems. An energy policy that does not pollute, cause climate change or present unacceptable risk. A plan for renewable resources that will not deplete the resources or damage ecosystems.

16. Sustainable Global Economy A plan for nonrenewable resources that does not damage region or global environ. And provides a share for future generations A social, legal, and political system that is dedicated to sustainability.

17. Sustainable Global Economy To achieve we must Develop an effective population-control strategy. Completely restructure our energy programs. Institute economic planning that will encourage pop control and wise use of resources. Implement social, legal, political and eductional change.

18. Moving Toward Sustainability The new paradigm Evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Inclusive, not exclusive. Proactive, not reactive. Attracting, not attacking. Assisting the disadvantage, not taking advantage.

19. Carrying Capacity of the Earth Defined as the maximum number of ind of a species that can be sustained by an environment w/o decreasing the capacity of the environ to sustain that same amount in the future

20. 1.4 A Global Perspective The actions of many groups of people at many locations affects the environment of the entire world. Gaia hypothesis James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis Life affects the environment at a global level

21. 1.5 An Urban World We are becoming an urban species In developed countries 75% live in urban area Developing countries 40%

22. 1.5 An Urban World Megacity Urban area with at least 10 million inhabitants By 2015 the world will have 36 megacities 23 of them in Asia

23. 1.5 An Urban world Scientist James Lovelock One of the creators fo the Gaia Hypothesis Has said that in order to survive to preserve our biological life support system (Earth) We need to live in domed cities isolated from nature

24. 1.6 People and Nature We depend on nature directly for Wood Water Air And indirectly for “public services functions” E.g. soil formation

25. Soil Fertility and Structure

26. People and Nature People and animals alter and change their environment. Dichotomy of 20 th century is giving way. New unity Sustainable environment and economy compatible.

27. 1.7 Science and Values We must choose what we want the environment to be Value judgment regarding the world’s human population problem Choice between desire to have large family and the need to limit the human population. The more high tech and powerful our civilization, the more knowledge is required.

28. Fishing for Salmon

29. Precautionary Principle 1992 - Rio Earth Summit on Sustainable Development Defined PP – when there is a great threat of serious environ damage we should not wait for scientific proof before taking precautionary steps to prevent potential harm.

30. Precautionary Principle PP is a proactive, rather than a reactive, tool. Adopted by the city of SF and the European Union

31. Placing a Value on the Environment The value of the environment based on 8 justifications Utilitarian Ecological Aesthetic Recreational Inspirational Creative Moral Cultural

32. Placing a Value on the Environment Utilitarian- the environment has value because it benefits individuals economically or is necessary for human survival. Ecological- ecosystem is necessary for survival of some species of interest or that the system itself provides benefit.

33. Placing a Value on the Environment Aesthetic- has to do with our appreciation of the beauty of nature. Recreational- viewing organisms in a natural setting. Inspirational- to benefit the inner self Creative- aid to human creativity

34. Placing a Value on the Environment Moral- the belief that various aspects of the environment have the right to exist and it is our obligation to allow them to continue.

35. Critical Thinking Issue How can we preserve the world’s coral reef? 10% Have been destroyed 30% are threatened Fishing with explosives Harvest of coral for precious stone market Introduced predators Disease related to climate change Acidification of the ocean Water quality They are extremely slow growing

36. Questions How does the coral problem relate to the key themes in this book? What utilitarian, ecological, moral and aesthetic values do they have? What can you do to help preserve the coral reefs?