People in the Global Ecosystem Systems Societies Sustainability

Recap: energy flows, matter cycles

Recap: energy flows, matter cycles

Recap What are the 3 parts or “spheres” of the Earth that are abiotic? Parts of these 3 “spheres” make up the biotic part of the Earth. What is the biotic part called? What is the field of science that studies interactions between living and nonliving things?

Examples of Earth Systems Plate tectonics Ocean circulation Air circulation (climate/storms) Ecosystems

Ecosystems

Energy and Matter Energy moves through the Earth. Open system Absorbed from the sun. Reflected by clouds and surface. Fuels ocean currents, cloud formations, plant and animal growth. Matter cycles within the Earth. Closed system Nitrogen, carbon, water cycles.

Energy and Matter All energy and matter systems are connected, through biotic and abiotic interactions. Energy from the Earth moves matter, organizes and rearranges it, through systems (ex. weather and ecosystems). Each system affects every other system because matter does not enter or leave the Earth. Every nonliving and living thing is a part of these systems – including humans.

Human Perceptions of Earth “Mother Earth” traditional view in many cultures. Modern industrial society views nature and the planet as something to control and consume.

The Gaia Hypothesis States that Earth functions like a single, living organism that regulates itself to maintain life. 1972, James Lovelock suggested that the systems of Earth function together as an integrated whole, responding to changes. Changes in one system causes changes in another system. Controversial, but scientists are starting to study large scale connections and Earth as a whole.

Human Societies Hunter-Gatherer – people gather natural food, hunt, and are nomadic. Agricultural – crops are grown and people have specialized roles. Industrial – production of food and other products is performed by machines, demanding large amounts of energy and resources.

Hunter-Gatherer Societies Little to no effort to control their natural environment. Small impact on the environment. Take advantage of resources then move on. Environment is given time to regenerate. Can survive indefinitely unless disturbed from outside.

Agricultural Societies Started 10,000 years ago planting crops and raising animals for food. Farming caused people to permanently settle and divide work into roles. Higher food production led to crafts and manufacturing. IF it can live within the limits of the environment can sustain itself indefinitely. (rotating crops, fallow fields) BUT increased logging, overgrazing, poor farming practices led to loss of soil and vegetation, which led to changing rainfall patterns and desertification.

Industrial Societies Production of goods by power-driven machines. Mass production by coal-fired steam engines, tractors, irrigation pumps, etc. More food produced by fewer people. Increased food supply and medical advancement caused people to live longer and an increase in human population.

Effects of Advanced Societies Increases in production, energy use, and the human population can lead to environmental damage. (pollution of air, land, water) Technological advances have caused changes in the environment. Can you think of a specific example? Is technology good or bad for the environment?

Sustainable Development Industrial societies’ definition of a resource: something that lies ready for use. (ex. oil, coal, minerals, trees, books, people) Viewing Earth as a mass of raw materials ready for human use = most of the environmental problems that challenge the world today. Sustainable – capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage.

Ethics Ethics – a set of standards to determine right from wrong. Frontier Ethic - Human society is separate from nature Sustainable Development Ethic – Meet current global human needs without limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Renewable resource – a resource that generates quickly. Nonrenewable resource – a resource that cannot regenerate quickly.

Frontier Ethic Sustainable Development Resources are unlimited and meant for human consumption. Humans are separate from nature and not subject to natural laws. Human success is measured in terms of control over the natural world. *No longer valid. Resources are limited and not all are meant for human consumption. Humans are part of nature and are subject to natural laws. Human success is living in harmony with the natural world. *Use of renewable resources where possible, and reuse/recycling of nonrenewable resources.