© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. An Introduction to Environmental Science The Nature of Science & Sustainability and the Future of Our World AP Environmental Science Mr. Grant Lesson 4

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Objectives: Define the terms abiotic factors and biotic factors. Understand the scientific method and how science operates. Diagnose and illustrate some of the pressures on the global environment. Evaluate the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. TED - Worldchanging.com founder Alex Steffen argues that reducing humanity’s ecological footprint is incredibly vital now, as the western consumer lifestyle spreads to developing countries.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Define the terms abiotic factors and biotic factors. Abiotic Factor - A non- living chemical or physical factor in the environment, such as soil, pH, forest fire, etc. Biotic Factor - A factor created by a living thing or any living component within an environment in which the action of the organism affects the life of another organism, for example a predator consuming its prey.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Understand the scientific method and how science operates. Science is a process of using observation to test ideas. The scientific method consist of a series of test, including making observation, formulating questions, standing hypothesis, generating prediction, testing prediction, and analyzing results obtained from tests.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Understand the scientific method and how science operates. There are different ways to test questions scientifically (for example, with manipulative experiments to determine causation or with natural experiments with correlation). Manipulative experiments yield the strongest evidence Reveals causal relationships Lots of things can’t be manipulated Natural tests show real- world complexity Results are not neat and clean Answers aren’t black and white

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Understand the scientific method and how science operates. Scientific research occurs with in a large process that includes peer review of work, journal publication, and interaction with colleagues. Science goes through paradigm shifts. This openness to change is what gives science its strength.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Applications of science Restoration of forest ecosystems altered by human suppression of fire Policy decisions and management practices Energy-efficient electric car Developing technology

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Experimental design

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Experimental results, 8 year study

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Diagnose and illustrate some of the pressures on the global environment. Rising human population and intensifying per capita consumption magnify human impact on the environment. o Population growth amplifies all human impacts -The growth rate has slowed, but we still add more than 200,000 people to the planet each day o Resource consumption has risen faster than population -Life has become more pleasant -Rising consumption also amplifies our demands on the environment o The 20 wealthiest nations have 55 times the income of the 20 poorest nations -Three times the gap that existed 40 years ago

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Diagnose and illustrate some of the pressures on the global environment. Human activities such as industrial agriculture and fossil fuel are having diverse impacts, including resource depletion, air and water pollution, climate change, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Ecological footprints are not all equal Not everyone benefits equally from rising affluence The ecological footprints of countries vary greatly -The U.S. footprint is much greater than the world’s average In the U.S. the richest 1% -Have 25% of all income

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Humans have changed the Earth’s landscape Agriculture, urban sprawl, and other land uses have substantially affected most of the landscape of all nations

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. We face challenges in agriculture Technology expanded food production –Leading to increased population and consumption It’s one of humanity’s greatest achievements, but it comes at an enormous environmental cost –Nearly half of the land surface is used for agriculture –Chemical fertilizers and pesticides poison and change natural systems –Erosion, climate change and poor management destroy millions of acres each year

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. We face challenges in pollution Waste products and artificial chemicals –Are used in farms, industries, and households –Contaminate land, water and air –Kill millions of people Humans are affecting the Earth’s climate –Melting glaciers –Rising sea levels –Impacted wildlife, forests, health and crops –Changed rainfall and increased storms Since the Industrial Revolution, atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have risen by 39%, to the highest level in 800,000 years

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. We face challenges in biodiversity Biodiversity: the cumulative number and diversity of living things Human actions have driven many species extinct –Biodiversity is declining dramatically –We are setting in motion a mass extinction event Biodiversity loss may be our biggest problem; once a species is extinct, it is gone forever

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment The most comprehensive scientific assessment of the condition of the world’s ecological systems In 2005, 2000 of the world’s leading scientists from 100 nations reported : –Humans have drastically altered ecosystems –These changes have contributed to human well- being and economic development, but at a cost –Environmental degradation could get much worse –Degradation can be reversed, but it requires work

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Our energy choices will affect our future The lives we live today are due to fossil fuels –Machines –Chemicals –Transportation –Products Fossil fuels are a one-time bonanza –Supplies will certainly decline We have used up ½ of the world’s oil supplies; how will we handle this imminent fossil fuel shortage?

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Are things getting better or worse? Many people think environmental conditions are better –Cornucopians: human ingenuity will solve any problem Some think things are much worse –Cassandras: predict doom and disaster How can you decide who is correct? –Are the impacts limited to humans, or are other organisms or systems involved? –Are the proponents thinking in the long or short term? –Are they considering all costs and benefits?

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Evaluate the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. We are striving to develop sustainable solutions to our environmental challenges. We must develop solutions that protect both our quality of life and the environment o Renewable energy and efficiency o Organic agriculture o Legislation and technology to reduce pollution o Protect species and their habitat o Recycling, decreasing waste o Decrease greenhouse gas emissions

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Evaluate the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development. Sustainability means living with in the planet’s means, such that Earth’s resources can sustain us—and other species—for the foreseeable future. Sustainable development means pursuing environmental, economic, and social goals in a coordinated way, and it is the most important pursuit in society today.

© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Will we develop in a sustainable way? The triple bottom line: sustainable solutions that meet -Environmental protection -Economic goals -Social equity Humans must apply knowledge from the sciences to -Limit environmental impacts -Maintain functioning environmental systems We must make an ethical commitment to current and future generations

Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings TED Video Alex Steffen Sees A Sustainable Future (17:31) Alex Steffen is cofounder and executive editor of WorldChanging.com, an online clearinghouse of information and inspiration on the environment. “I think better things are on the way.”