Chapter 1 Lecture Notes Science and the Environment Environmental Science

Chapter 1: Section 1Targets

What Is Environmental Science? Environmental Science Abiotic vs. biotic environmental factors

Goals of Environmental Science Major goal of environmental science? 2 main types of interactions between humans and the environment?

Environmental Science vs. Ecology -Environmental science involves many fields of study, including ecology. -Environmental Science vs. Ecology -Major Levels Studied by Ecologists?

Fields of Study Used by Environmental Scientists

Scientists as Citizens, Citizens as Scientists Who is usually the first person to recognize an environmental problem?

Our Environment Through Time

Hunter-Gatherers -Who were hunter-gatherers? -Hunter-gatherers affected their environment in many ways.

Hunter-Gatherers In North America, a combination of rapid climate changes and overhunting by hunter- gatherers may have led to disappearance of large mammal species, including: 1)giant sloths 2)giant bison 3)mastodons 4)cave bears 5)saber-toothed cats

The Agricultural Revolution -What is agriculture? -What was the Agricultural Revolution? -Consequences of Agricultural Revolution

The Industrial Revolution -What was the Industrial Revolution? -Consequences of Industrial Revolution

Improving the Quality of Life Industrial Revolution introduced many positive changes such as the light bulb. Agricultural productivity increased, and sanitation, nutrition, and medical care improved. The Industrial Revolution also introduced new environmental problems such as pollution and habitat loss.

Spaceship Earth -Earth is a closed system. What does this mean? -Environmental problems on different scales: local, regional, or global.

Comprehension Check 1.Name a global environmental problem. 2. Name a local environmental problem. 3. Could the local problem be a part of the global problem? If so, how?

What are our Main Environmental Problems? -Environmental problems can generally be grouped into three categories:

Resource Depletion -What are Natural Resources? -Renewable vs. Nonrenewable Resources

Pollution -Definition of Pollution

Pollution -Two main types of pollutants:

Loss of Biodiversity -Biodiversity Definition: -Why is biodiversity important?

Comprehension Check 1.How do scientists define a nonrenewable resource? A.a resource that is used by humans B.a resource that can never be replaced C.a resource that can be replaced relatively quickly D.a resource that takes more time to replace than to deplete

Comprehension Check 2.Which of the following is an important field for environmental science? A.ecology B.economics C.meteorology D. political science

Comprehension Check 3.Which of the following phrases describes the term biodiversity? A.species that have become extinct B.the animals that live in an area C.species that look different from one another D.the number and variety of species that live in an area

Comprehension Check 4.Energy from the sun, water, air, wood, and soil are all examples of what kind of energy? F.ecological energy G.organic energy H.renewable energy I.solar energy

Chapter 1: Section 2 Targets

“The Tragedy of the Commons” -Ecologist Garrett Hardin

“The Tragedy of the Commons” -Definition:

Supply and Demand -Law of Supply and Demand:

Developed and Developing Countries

Population and Consumption -Almost all environmental problems are traced back to 2 main causes:

Consumption Trends

Ecological Footprints

A Sustainable World -What does Sustainability mean? -EXAMPLES??

Comprehension Check 5.Population growth can result in what ethical environmental problem, addressed by ecologist Garrett Hardin in “The Tragedy of the Commons? A.the conflict between water resources and industrial growth B.the conflict between forest resources and the lumber companies C.the conflict between political interests and international energy use D.the conflict between individual interests and the welfare of society

Comprehension Check Use this graph to answer questions 6 and 7 6. What was the total population increase between the years 1600 and 1900? A.0.6 billion B.0.9 billion C.1.0 billion D.1.5 billion 7.If the rate of growth from had been the same as the rate of growth from , what would the world population have been at the end of the century? A.more than 7 billion B.more than 10 billion C.more than 15 billion D.more than 20 billion

Comprehension Check 8. Which of the following characterizes the environmental consequences of the current population trend? A.More people mean more housing construction. B.The need for food and resources is growing rapidly. C.The standard of living has risen around the world. D.There is no connection between population growth and environment.