Science and the Environment

An Introduction to Environmental Science

Are there any more examples? Environmental Science aka (The study of the impact of humans on the environment.) How We Use Natural Resources -Water -Plants -Food/Animals -Energy How We Change Our Environment -Pollution -Climate Change -Loss of Biodiversity -Habitat Destruction Are there any more examples?

What is Environmental Science? Environmental Science is the study of the impact of humans on the environment. Focuses on 3 main areas: conservation and protection of natural resources environmental education and communication environmental research

Goal of Environmental Science To understand and solve environmental problems To accomplish this goal scientists focus on: how we use natural resources how our actions alter the environment To study these types of interactions, scientists gather and analyze information from many different disciplines.

Pure Science Vs. Applied Science Pure Science: Systematic observation of natural phenomena solely for the discovery of unknown laws relating to facts; the study of science alone, not including its relations to other subjects. Applied Science: The discipline dealing with the art or science of applying scientific knowledge to practical problems.

Applied Science (A) or Pure Science (B) Chemistry Chemical Engineering Mathematics Applied Mathematics Environmental Science

Major Fields that Contribute to Environmental Science 1. Biology The study of living organisms. Ex. Zoology, Botany, Microbiology, and Ecology 2. Earth Science The study of the Earth’s nonliving systems and the planet as a whole. Ex. Geology, Paleontology, Climatology, and Hydrology 3. Physics The study of matter and energy. Ex. Engineering 4. Chemistry The study of Chemicals and their interactions Ex. Biochemistry and Geochemistry 5. Social Sciences The study of human populations Ex. Geography, Anthropology, and Sociology

What did South Paulding High School look like 15 years ago?

The Three Main Environmental Problems? Resource Depletion: The exhaustion of raw materials (renewable or non-renewable) within a region. Pollution: An undesired change in air, water, or soil that adversely affects the health, survival, or activities of humans or other organisms. Loss of biodiversity: A decrease in the number and variety of species that live in an area.

Technology Revolution An incredibly short and simple timeline of important changes in the relationship between man and the environment. Hunter-Gatherers (at least 12,000--1000 B.C.) The Industrial Revolution (1760-1900 A.D.) The Agricultural Revolution (1,000 B.C-1700 A.D.) Technology Revolution (1900s -?)

Tragedy of the Commons

Garrett Hardin: “Tragedy of the Commons” The main difficulty in solving environmental problems is the conflict between the short-term interests of the individual and the long-term welfare of society.

“The Tragedy of the Commons” It was in the best interest of the individual to put as many animals in the commons as possible. However, if too many animals grazed on the commons, they destroyed the grass. Once the grass was destroyed, everyone suffered because no one could raise animals on the commons.

Conclusion Someone or some group must take responsibility for maintaining a resource or it will become depleted.

Supply and Demand

Supply and Demand The greater the demand for a limited supply of something, the more that thing is worth.

The Law of Supply and Demand states as the demand for a good or service increases, the value of the food or service also increases.

Does everyone consume resources equally? Developed Countries have higher average incomes, slower population growth, diverse industrial economies, and stronger social support systems. Ex. The United States, Canada, and Japan Developing Countries have lower average incomes, simple and agriculture-based economies, and rapid population growth. Ex. Many Countries in Africa and South America

Comparing Developed and Developing Developed Countries Developing Countries Developed Nations Higher Incomes Slower Population Growth Diverse Industrial Economies Stronger Social Support Lower Average Incomes Simple Agriculture-based Communities Rapid Population Growth Use about 75% of world’s resources, although they make up only 20% of the world’s population

Consumption Trends

Developed Nations make up only ~20% of the world’s population Blue: Advanced Economies Orange: Emerging and Developing Economies Red: Emerging and Developing Economies that are the least developed

Developed Nations uses ~75% of the world’s resources.

Ecological Footprints Ecological footprints are calculations that show the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country.

Ecological Footprint It’s a way to express the differences in consumption between nations.

Ecological Footprint: the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country

Sustainability is a key goal of environmental science. A Sustainable World Sustainability is the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely. Sustainability is a key goal of environmental science.

What is the limiting factor for human sustainability? The availability of natural resources What pressures/challenges to sustainability are we facing? Increasing Population & Decreasing Natural Resources What is the ultimate goal of environmental science? To create a sustainable world

Remember a few things as you explore environmental science further: First, be prepared to listen to many viewpoints over a particular issue. Second, investigate the source of the information you encounter. Third, gather all the information you can before drawing a conclusion.

What’s the ISSUE? What are some environmental problems in the world today? What are some environmental problems in the local community? What are some ways that we can solve these local problems?