1. CHAPTER 1 Introduction: Toward a Sustainable Future Copyright © 2008 Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc. Environmental Science Tenth Edition Richard T. Wright

2. The Chapter Introduction The global environmental picture Three strategic themes –Sustainability –Stewardship –Sound science

3. The Chapter Introduction Three integrative themes –Ecosystem capital –Policy/politics –Globalization The environment in the 21 st century

4. The Lessons of Easter Island Society fails to care for the environment and sustain it Population increase beyond carrying capacity Disparity between rich and poor widens

5. How to Prevent a Global Version of the Easter Island Disaster Understand how the natural world works Understand how human and natural systems interact Accurately assess the status and trends of crucial natural ecosystems Establish long-term sustainable relationships with the natural world

6. The Global Environmental Picture Population growth and economic development Decline of ecosystems Global atmospheric changes Loss of biodiversity

7. Rapid Human Population Growth

8. Indicators of Decline of Vital Ecosystems Depleted water supplies Agricultural soils degraded Oceans over-fished Forests cut faster than they can grow

9. Conceptual Framework for Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

10. Global Atmospheric Changes

11. Contributors to Loss of Biodiversity Habitat alteration Exploitation Pollution

12. Three Strategic Themes Sustainability: interactions with the natural world that we should be working toward Stewardship: the ethical and moral framework of our actions Science: the basis for our understanding of how the world works

13. Unifying Themes

14. Four Dimensions to Sustainable Solutions Environmental Social Economic Political

15. First Quarter Project Ecosystem in a jar Example

16. Stewardship Recognition that a trust has been given Responsible care for something not owned Desire to pass something on to future generations

17. Environmental Justice or RacismEnvironmental Justice or Racism? Placement of waste sites and hazardous facilities in nonwhite communities

18. The Nature of Science A Historical Overview

19. Lamarckian Theory Jean Baptiste de Lamarck use-disuse theory inheritance of acquired characteristics environmental influences

20. Rotting MeatLiving Organisms Testing the Theory of Spontaneous Generation Francesco Redi (1626-1698)

21. Observations Maggots appear on meat that is left uncovered. Maggots appear spontaneously on meat; life arises spontaneously in a variety of circumstances.

22. Hypothesis Life does not arise by “spontaneous generation.” Maggots on meat can be explained by some other mechanism.

23. Experimentation Controls = natural situation –Meat in open jars Experimental = alter one variable from the natural environment –Meat in jars covered with cork or gauze

24. Observation Maggots do not develop when jars are covered

25. Conclusions Maggots do not develop when jars are covered, therefore, spontaneous generation is not true. There must be another explanation. –Flies lay eggs on the meat –Eggs hatch –Maggots come from the hatching fly eggs

26. Introduction to Experimental Design Testing the Hypothesis of Spontaneous Generation The Cell Theory Pro

27. Introduction to Experimental Design Testing the Hypothesis of Spontaneous Generation

28. Introduction to Experimental Design Testing the Hypothesis of Spontaneous Generation

29. Steps in the Scientific Method

30. Assumptions of the Process of Science We perceive reality with our five basic senses Objective reality functions according to certain basic principles and laws

31. Components to the Structure of Sound Science Data: measurable Theories: explanations Shaping principles: uniformity of nature, quantifiability

32. Assumptions of the Process of Science Causes and effects are explainable We have tools and capabilities to understand basic principles and natural laws

33. True or False Concerning the Process of Science There are no controversies or arguments among scientists. Progress in science can be slow. We are continually confronted by new observations. Some observed phenomena may not lend themselves to simple experiments.

34. True or False Concerning the Process of Science Science is incapable of providing absolute proof for any theory. The process of science can be used to test value judgments. The validity of science is based on the ability to do experiments.

35. Junk Science “A thorough distortion of science that is meant to confuse issues such that the public, media, or policy makers are hard pressed to know what is true.” –Presentations of selective results –Public distortions of scientific works –Publication in quasi-scientific journals

36. ExamplesExamples of Junk Science science used to further a special agenda, such as personal injury lawyers extorting deep-pocket businesses; the “food police,” environmental Chicken Littles, and gun-control extremists advocating wacky social programs; overzealous regulators expanding bureaucratic power/budgets;

37. Examples of Junk Science cut-throat businesses attacking competitors; unethical businesses making bogus product claims; slick politicians; and wannabe scientists seeking fame and fortune.

38. Three Integrative Themes Ecosystem Capital Policy and Politics Globalization

39. Ecosystem Services and Human Well-being

40. Policy and Politics Human decisions that determine what happens to the natural world and the political processes that lead to those decisions. –Purpose of public policy is to promote the common good.

41. Globalization The accelerating interconnectedness of human activities, ideas, and cultures. –Health improvements –Global markets –Improved crop yields –Dilution or destruction of cultural and religious ideals.

42. Globalization –Environmentally friendly consumer goods –Economic reorganization of the world –Worldwide spread of emerging diseases –Dispersion of exotic species –Trade in hazardous wastes –Spread of persistent organic pollutants

43. The Environment in the 21 st Century The big issues –Corporate accountability –Globalization and WTO –Trade and subsidies –Climate and energy –Development priorities and aid

44. The Environment in the 21 st Century If we do not change direction, we will end up where we are heading.

45. End of Chapter 1 PPT by Clark E. Adams