1. Science and the Environment
An Introduction to Environmental Science
Ch. 1

2. Understanding our Environment
Section 1.1
Understanding our Environment

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

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

5. How can science help us understand and solve environmental problems?

6. Goals of Environmental Science
To understand and solve environmental problems
study interactions between people and the environment
Use of natural resources
How we alter our env.

7. Fields of study involved in Environmental Science
Biology
ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, MICROBIOLOGY, ECOLOGY
EARTH SCIENCE
GEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY, HYDROLOGY
PHYSICS
ENGINEERING
CHEMISTRY
BIOCHEM., GEOCHEM
SOCIAL SCIENCES
GEOGRAPHY, ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY

8. Is environmental change a new problem?

9. How have past civilizations changed their environments?
Hunter-gathers
HUNTED ANIMALS TO EXTINCTION
DESTROYED HABITAT
Agricultural Revolution
Overworked soil
Increased pressure on local env.
Industrial Revolution
Increased use of fossil fuels

10. Affect of population growth
Need more food
Need more space

11. The Earth is a closed system
What does this mean?

12. Main Environmental Problems
Resource depletion
Renewable vs nonrenewable

13. Pollution

14. Loss of Biodiversity

16. Environment and society
Section 1.2
Environment and society

17. Economics and the Environment
What influences how we use our natural resources?

18. Supply and Demand
States that the greater the demand for a limited supply of something the more the product is worth

19. Costs and Benefits
maintaining a healthy environment and Fixing environmental problems costs $$$
Ex. Do we pay more a product that is environmentally friendly or buy the cheaper product without environmental safeguards?

20. Risk Assessment
Cost of any action is the risk of an undesirable action

21. Developed vs Developing Countries
Actions by other countries affect our environment
Developed countries- higher average income, slower pop. Growth, strong economy (US, Canada, Japan)
vs.
Developing countries – lower incomes, high pop rates (Brazil, China, India)
Different consumption patterns affect the environment differently
Which one causes greater harm to the environment?

22. Population and Consumption
Almost all environmental problems are caused by - population increase

23. Local Population Pressures
local resources cannot support a growing population

24. Consumption Trends As a country develops they consume more resources
Developed nations use 75% of the world’s resources
Creates wastes and pollution

25. Ecological Footprints
The area of the earth’s productive surface, both land and sea, that it takes to support a person’s or a population's lifestyle

26. Ecological footprints include:
Natural resources needed from the environment
Space for infrastructure
Recreation
Waste disposal

27. What is your footprint?
video

28. What impact does the food we eat have on the environment??

29. Raise your hand if you have eaten a cheeseburger in the last week.

30. Read Hamburger, Fries, and a cola
Circle or highlight the following as you read:
Resources required to produce the meal
Impacts to the environment and people
Cheeseburger footprint

31. Environment Science in Context
Environmental problems are complex
Rights of individuals and property owners with the needs of society-is there a balance?
People are passionate on either side
Be open to different view points
The KEY is achieving sustainability!!