A Global Perspective Chapter 1

What is the Environment? Environment – the surroundings of an organism that affect its life and development Included biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors Biotic factors include – humans, plants, animals.. Abiotic factors include – air, soil, water… Environmental science – the study of how humans interact with the environment

Name 2 biotic and 2 abiotic factors. What are some problems that can affect the environment?

What are environmental problems? Environmental problems can be natural Volcanic eruptions, flooding, drought… More recently, expanding human population has caused environmental problems: 1. Resource depletion 2. Pollution 3. Extinction

Resource Depletion Renewable resources – water, sunlight, trees… Some can be depleted if not used wisely

Resource Depletion Non-renewable resources – minerals, fossil fuels… Take a long time to form in the Earth

Pollution Pollution – is the introduction of harmful levels of chemicals, waste, light, or other materials in the environment Can be harmful to all living things, including humans Asthma rates, mercury in fish…

Extinction Humans have directly and indirectly cause species decline Endangered – numbers are very low Extinct – gone forever #1 reason – Habitat depletion

Why are these GLOBAL problems? These problems affect everyone worldwide in some way Loss of resources makes it harder for humans to live healthy lives Pollution causes illness, habitat loss, and changes to our atmosphere, such as loss of ozone Loss of biodiversity means less healthy ecosystems and loss of valuable living things forever

Goal of Environmental Problem Solving: Create a sustainable world Sustainability means of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged – Merriam-Webster Preserving habitats, reducing, reusing, recycling, replenishing renewable resources…

Using Science to Solve Environmental Problems….

Pure Science vs. Applied Science Pure science answers questions on HOW science works Botany, chemistry, biology, ecology Example: A geneticist performs experiments to determine which genes cause a genetic disease Applied science uses the information to SOLVE problems Environmental science, chemical engineering, Example: A genetic engineer designs a form of gene therapy to treat a genetic disease

Pure Science… Creating photovoltaic cells in the laboratory

Applied Science… Solar panels used to generate electricity for a home

Making Environmental Decisions…

Values that Affect Environmental Decision-making: Value Aesthetic Economic Environmental Educational Ethical/Moral Health Recreational Scientific Societal/Cultural Definition What is beautiful or pleasing Gain or loss of money or jobs Protection of natural resources Accumulation and use of knowledge What is right or wrong Maintenance of human health Providing for human leisure activities Increasing understanding of the natural world Maintaining human values and traditions

Steps in the decision-making process: Gather Information – mainstream media, scientific journals, public meetings… Consider Values – aesthetic, economic, environmental, ethical/moral, etc.. Explore Consequences – both short-term and long- term Make a Decision – discuss in committees, cast your vote directly or through representatives

Real-life examples: Elwha River Dams

California Fish & Game biologist Doug Killam holds an 88-pound Pacific chinook salmon. It's hoped the removal of the Elwha Dam in Washington state could result in even bigger fish. (California Department of Fish and Game photo)

Elwha Dam Restoration Project Began in September, 2012