1. LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT 17 TH MILLER/SPOOLMAN CHAPTER 1 Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability

2. Who are we? Environmental Science Major40 Non-Environmental Science Majors26 Undeclared5 Remember, I had you list: (1)preferred career (2)confidence (3)interest

3. How does interest in the class and confidence vary by major?

4. Un-decided are most interested Non-environmental and Environmental Majors have the same amount of interest Environmental majors are more confident they will get the job they want.

5. Are students interested in an environmental career more/less certain they will get the job they want?

6. Students seeking an environmental career are: MORE interested in the course LESS certain about getting a job Students not seeking an environmental career are LESS interested but MORE certain about getting a job

7. Environmental Science Major Careers: Military, Environmental Manager, Teacher, Soil Conservationist, EPA, Policy, Consultant, National Park, Biologist, Hydrologists, Aquarium, Researcher/Scientist Non-Environmental Science Major Careers: Teacher, Counselor, Businesswoman, Marketing, Political Consultant, Public Relations, Finance, Public Health, Physician Assistant, Salesmen, Engineer,

8. Settle in! Over the next two weeks: (1)What is the basic science that underlies environmental problems and what are the goals we are working toward? (2)If we agree there are environmental problems, why is there so much conflict about how to address these issues? (3)Brief history of how the environmental movement in the US has changed over time. (4)How do we currently make decisions about the environment? Who are the actors? What is the structure?

9. Settle in! Over the next two weeks: (1)What is the basic science that underlies environmental problems and what are the goals we are working toward? (2)If we agree there are environmental problems, why is there so much conflict about how to address these issues? (3)Brief history of how the environmental movement in the US has changed over time. (4)How do we currently make decisions about the environment? Who are the actors? What is the structure?

10. LIVING IN THE ENVIRONMENT 17 TH MILLER/SPOOLMAN CHAPTER 1 Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability

11. Core Case Study: A Vision of a More Sustainable World in 2060 Sustainability: the capacity of the earth’s natural systems and human cultural systems to survive, flourish, and adapt into the very long-term future

12. Core Case Study: A Vision of a More Sustainable World in 2060 Sustainability: the capacity of the earth’s natural systems and human cultural systems to survive, flourish, and adapt into the very long-term future Requires: A transition in human attitudes toward the environment, and a shift in behavior, can lead to a much better future for the planet in the future

13. How do we measure sustainability?

14. Case Study of human interaction with the environment: Oyster Farming Farming Practices can vary by: (a) density, (b) environmental conditions, (c) institutional regulations, (d) on the bottom of the water, (e) suspended in the water column, etc.

15. How do we measure sustainability? Different Behaviors

16. How do we measure sustainability? Ecological Outcomes Social Outcomes

17. How do we measure sustainability? How do we figure out the best way to interact with the environment so that both ecological and social outcomes are maximized?

18. How do we measure sustainability? Maximizing Short-term Economic Returns at the cost of environmental outcomes Maximizing trade-offs between economic returns and environmental outcomes

19. Wildlife Habitat Carbon Sequestration Nutrient Cycling Native Grasslands: Balance has evolved over large time-scales Farmland: Dramatic changes that influence natural balance Food Production

20. Wildlife Habitat Carbon Sequestration Nutrient Cycling Native Grasslands: Balance has evolved over large time-scales Farmland: Dramatic changes that influence natural balance Food Production Balanced through evolutionary processes Imbalanced through dramatic short term changes

21. 1-1 What Are Three Principles of Sustainability? Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling. Concept 1-1B Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the earth.

22. 1-1 What Are Three Principles of Sustainability? Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling. Concept 1-1B Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and on natural resources and natural services (natural capital) provided by the earth. THESE PROCESSES PROVIDE BALANCE AND FUNCTION ! AND WE AS HUMANS RELY ON THIS BALANCE AND FUNCTION TO LIVE AND PROSPER!

23. Environmental Science Is a Study of Connections in Nature Environment: Everything around us “The environment is everything that isn’t me.“ Environmental science: interdisciplinary science connecting information and ideas from Natural sciences: ecology, biology, geology, chemistry… Social sciences: geography, politics, economics Humanities: ethics, philosophy

24. Environmental Science Is a Study of Connections in Nature How nature works (e.g. ecology, oceanography) How the environment affects us (e.g. economics) How we affect the environment (e.g. toxicology) How to deal with environmental problems (e.g. policy/political science, sociology) How to live more sustainably (bring it all together: develop norms or policy)

25. 1-1 What Are Three Principles of Sustainability? Concept 1-1A Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.

26. Announcements -Differences between Book (versions 16 and 17) -Current Events (2 Speakers) -Reminder: Grading Rubric for Current Events is online -Continue discussion about sustainability

27. Recap and What is ahead… Last time... Defined Sustainability (and suggested ways on how to measure it) Discussed the characteristics of and issues with “environmental science” Nature’s survival strategies follow 3 principles

28. Recap and What is ahead… Last time... Defined Sustainability (and suggested ways on how to measure it) Discussed the characteristics of and issues with “environmental science” Nature’s survival strategies follow 3 principles This week… Continue discussion of 3 principles Ecosystem Services (what are they? And what are they good for?) Consumption across the world

29. Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability 1.Reliance on solar energy The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis 2.Biodiversity Astounding variety and adaptability of natural systems and species 3.Chemical cycling Circulation of chemicals from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment Also called nutrient cycling

30. Fig. 1-2, p. 7 First simple cells appear (about 3.5 billion years ago) First multicellular life appears (about 1 billion years ago) First major land plants appear (about 475 million years ago) Dinosaurs disappear (about 65 million years ago) Homo sapiens arrives (about 200,000 years ago) http://waitbutwhy.com/2013/08/putti ng-time-in-perspective.html