Introduction to Environmental Science Chapter 1

Human Dimensions Of Environmental Science We Live In An Inequitable World Is There Enough For Everyone? –You can’t get an infinite amount of anything (like people) into a finite world –You can’t get an infinite amount of anything (like petroleum) out of a finite world Recent Progress Is Encouraging

Thyeogony, Hesiod Wars, Conflicts between Nations, Different Groups of People: Conflicts of Mankind vs. Mankind Caused by nations and groups to promote self-interests: To Understand Others for harmonious co-existence among different groups of peoples. Gap between Rich & Poor, & other Socio-Economic Political Issues: Geography (Human), World History, Religions, Philosophy Political Science, Sociology, Economics, Ethics, etc. Diseases, and Healthcare: Conflicts of Micro-organism vs. Mankind Biology, Medicines, etc. Environmental Problems: New problems since 1960s, Half-century old pollution, destruction of ecosystems, extinction, population, and energy Conflicts of Natural World (Planet Earth) vs. Mankind Over-exploitation of nature in non-sustainable ways. Environmental Science, Ecology, or Geology 1.1 “What are the Major Problems the World is facing currently?”

Geosphere: Crust: < 1% (Thin) Everest: 8.85 km Mantle, Cores Hydrosphere: (oceans) -Atmosphere: ~1%: 30 km (99% of air) extends to 120 km Biosphere: Living portion “Planet Earth is a tiny fragile spaceship in a vast universe. “ Planet Earth

Environmental Science Offers Important Insights Into Our World and how We Influence It Environment- a sum of all the conditions surrounding us that influence life. Environmental science- the field that looks at interactions among humans and nature. System- a set of interacting components that influence one another by exchanging energy or materials. Ecosystem- the living and non-living components of a particular place on earth.

Biotic- the living part of the Earth (animals, plants) Abiotic- the non-living part of the Earth (soil, air, water) Environmental studies- includes environmental science, the study of interactions among human systems and those found in nature along with other subjects such as environmental policy, economics, literature and ethics.

Humans Alter Natural Systems Humans manipulate their environment more than any other species.

Natural resources: vital to human survival Renewable resources: –Perpetually available: sunlight, wind, wave energy –Renew themselves over short periods: timber, water, soil These can be destroyed Nonrenewable resources: can be depleted - Oil, coal, minerals Natural resources : matter & energy sources needed for survival

The “ecological footprint” The total area of land & water needed to produce the resource a person uses, plus the total amount of land and water area needed to dispose of its waste (ha. Higher in developed societies/nations) We are using 30% more (overshoot) of the planet’s resources than are available on a sustainable basis!

Overshoot We are using renewable resources 30% faster than they are being replenished Overshoot: humans have surpassed the Earth’s capacity to support us

Discussion If we really are using up resources at what point do we run out? When do you think that might be?

Environmental Scientists Monitor Natural Systems for Signs of Stress Ecosystem services- environments provide life supporting services such as clean water, timber, fisheries, crops. Environmental indicators- describe the current state of the environment. Sustainability- living on the Earth in a way that allows us to use its resources without depriving future generations of those resources.

Environmental indicators help us describe the current state of an environmental system. The five global environmental indicators are: 1. Biological diversity 2. Food production 3. Average global surface temperature and carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere 4. Human population 5. Resource depletion

Food Production Our ability to grow food to nourish the human population. We use science and technology to increase the amount of food we can produce on a given area of land.

We face challenges in climate Scientists have firmly concluded that humans are changing the composition of the atmosphere The Earth’s surface is warming - Melting glaciers - Rising sea levels - Impacted wildlife and crops (Biodiversity) - Increasingly destructive weather (Hot weather cause hurricanes to be more powerful) Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric CO 2 concentrations have risen by 37%, to the highest level in 650,000 years

Human Population The current human population is 7.3 billion. Over a million additional people is added to the Earth every 5 days.

Resource Depletion As the human population grows, the resources necessary for our survival become increasingly depleted. Some natural resources such as coal, oil and uranium are finite and cannot be renewed or reused. Other natural resources like aluminum or copper, also exist in finite amounts but can be recycled.

Resource Depletion Development- improvement in human well-being through economic advancement. As economies develop, resource consumption also increases.

Environmental science can help us avoid mistakes made by past civilizations. The lesson of Easter Island: ~ 300 AD first inhabited, lush forests & other resources ~ 600 AD flourished, (Hundreds of the Statues, 10m, 100 tons) ~ 750 AD start to decline (overused the resources) 1722 AD in desolate condition in a barren landscape People annihilated their civilization by destroying their environment to deplete resources. Fall of the Mesopotamian Civilization (Wheat- based agrarian): → * Cf. Downfall of the Minoan Civilization on Crete (Natural Disaster, 1627 BC) Triggered by Thera Eruption → Tsunami, then invasion of the mainland Greek.

Human Well-Being Depends on Sustainable Practices Sustainable Development- development that balances current human well-being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations.

Human Well-Being Depends on Sustainable Practices In order to live sustainably: Environmental systems must not be damaged beyond their ability to recover. Renewable resources must not be depleted faster than they can regenerate. Nonrenewable resources must be used sparingly.

Defining Human Needs People in developed nations might say that they "need" electricity. People in the developing world have never heard of this modern convenience. Basic human needs- air, water, food and shelter.

Experimental Science Presents Unique Challenges There is no "control" planet to compare the Earth with. It is difficult to decide what is better or worse for the environment than something else. Environmental science has so many interacting parts, it is not easy to apply one system to another. Human well-being is a concern because people that are unable to meet their basic needs are less likely to be interested in saving the environment.

Conclusion Environmental science helps us understand our relationship with the environment and informs our attempts to solve and prevent problems. Identifying a problem is the first step in solving it Solving environmental problems can move us towards health, longevity, peace and prosperity –Environmental science can help us find balanced solutions to environmental problems for sustainable development