Science and the Environment Chapter 1

Objectives Define environmental science, and compare science with ecology Define environmental science, and compare science with ecology List 5 major fields of study that contribute to environmental science List 5 major fields of study that contribute to environmental science Describe how the advance of human society has created environmental issues Describe how the advance of human society has created environmental issues Distinguish between renewable and nonnewable resources Distinguish between renewable and nonnewable resources

What is Environmental Science? The study of human interactions with the environment

How can science help us understand and solve environmental problems?

Goals of Environmental Science To understand and solve environmental problems To understand and solve environmental problems –Study natural resources and how we alter the environment

Fields of study involved in Environmental Science Ecology Ecology Chemistry Chemistry Geology Geology Zoology Zoology Paleontology Paleontology On the human side On the human side –Economics, law, politics, geography

Why should we study the environment?

Is environmental change a new problem?

Humans have been changing their environment for 1000s of years Humans have been changing their environment for 1000s of years –Fall of civilizations?

Hunters/Gathers Hunters/Gathers –Even the earliest of people harmed their environment as they hunted cleared land for farmland or homes –Introduced foreign species

Agriculture Agriculture –With the onset of agriculture human population began to grow Depleted resources Depleted resources Destroyed habitat Destroyed habitat

Industrial Revolution Industrial Revolution –Resumed demand on natural resources, especially fossil fuels Population increased Population increased Habitat loss Habitat loss pollution pollution

Earth is a closed system Earth is a closed system –Resources are limited –Wastes will continue to increase –Environmental issues occur on the microscale as well as globally –Our growing population will only increase pressure on our environments

Main Environmental Problems Resource depletion Resource depletion Natural resource- natural materials used by humans.

classified as Renewable-replaced at relatively quickly i.e. trees, soil, air, fresh water, Nonrenewable-replaced at a much slower rate i.e. fossil fuels

Pollution Pollution –Undesirable change in air, water, or soil that adversely affects health, survival, or activities of humans or other organisms

Loss of Biodiversity Loss of Biodiversity –Biodiversity is the number of species in an area

Climate Change Climate Change –How many degrees does it take to change an entire planet??

Habitat loss Habitat loss –Loss of species –Loss of habitable land

1-2 Objectives The Environment and Society 1. Describe “The Tragedy of the Commons.” 2. Explain the law of supply and demand. 3. List three differences between developed and developing countries. 4. Explain what sustainability is, and describe why it is a goal of environmental science.

What influences how we use our natural resources? What influences how we use our natural resources?

Social Issues Social Issues –“The Tragedy of the Commons” by Garrett Harden Someone needs to take responsibility for maintaining a resource Someone needs to take responsibility for maintaining a resource We all share the natural resources on this planet! We all share the natural resources on this planet!

Economics and the Environment Economics and the Environment Supply and Demand – greater the demand for a limited supply, the greater its value i.e. oil i.e. oil –“pay the higher price, use less oil, or find a new source of energy.”

Costs and Benefits Fixing environmental problems costs $$$ Fixing environmental problems costs $$$ Risk assessment – risk of undesirable outcome Risk assessment – risk of undesirable outcome

Actions by other countries affect our environment Actions by other countries affect our environment –Developed vs. undeveloped Pressures on resources and decisions Pressures on resources and decisions

Population and Consumption Almost all environmental problems are caused by - population increase and an env. That cannot support it - resources are being used up, wasted, or polluted

Local Population Pressures Local Population Pressures – local resources cannot support a growing population Occurs in developing nations Occurs in developing nations

Consumption trends Consumption trends –Developed nations to have stricter pollution controls but use the most resources and their quality of life increases

Ecological Footprints Ecological Footprints –Amount of land and resources needed to support 1 person from that country People in developed countries have a larger footprint People in developed countries have a larger footprint

Environment Scientce in Context Complex issues Complex issues No simple solutions No simple solutions Balance between the needs of the individual with the needs of society Balance between the needs of the individual with the needs of society People are passionate no matter what side they are on People are passionate no matter what side they are on Consider both sides of the issue Consider both sides of the issue

The key goal of Environmental Science is to achieve sustainability The key goal of Environmental Science is to achieve sustainability –Human needs are met in such a way the population can last indefinitely