Chapter 1 – Key Themes in Environmental Issues

Common Concerns of Environmental Scientists Reliance on resources (like oil), which we might be depleting Recent rapid increase in human population Too many people and not enough resources (or not maintaining them intelligently) Future deterioration in quality of life

Environmental Science Themes Human population growth Sustainability Global perspective Urbanization People and nature Science and Values

Human Population Growth

Population in Indiana

Why so much growth??

Human Population Growth Great increase in last 50 years 3 million years ago: Hunter gatherers Introduction of agriculture 18 th century Industrial revolution

Human Population Growth “Human population growth is, in some important ways, the underlying issue of the environment.”

Sustainability Management of natural resources and the environment with the goals of allowing the harvest of resources to remain at or above some specified level, and the ecosystem to retain its functions and structure

Coffee, anyone??

What things are we doing on earth that are unsustainable practices?

Sustainability and Carrying Capacity We are using animals, plants, forests, fish, wildlife, minerals, resources apparently faster than they can replenish themselves. Shortages in the future? Carrying Capacity – The max number of individuals of a species that can be sustained by an environment without decreasing the capacity of the environment to sustain that same number in the future – A “desirable human carrying capacity”

Lesson of the Kaibab!

Global Perspective Human actions have begun to change the environment all over the world Gaia Hypothesis: – Over the history of life on earth, life has profoundly changed the global environment, and these changes have tended to improve the chances for the continuation of life. Because life affects the environment at a global level, the environment of our plant is different from that of a lifeless one.

Urbanization Urban areas becoming more popular and also overtaking plains, wetlands, etc. Megacity = urban area with at least 10 million inhabitants – Increased from 2 to 22 from 1950 to 2005

People and Nature People and nature are intimately integrated We depend on nature – Soil for plants – Plants for eating – Atmosphere for climate and protection Environment isn’t “out there” somewhere… it’s all around us

Science and Values Use science to know all about a particular phenomenon and the environment, and use values to decide what action to take – EX: Having children when scientists say we have an “unsustainable” population – How many fish can we catch to sustain the fish population? Technology and ability to catch and store tons… – What does the Catholic Church say?

The Precautionary Principle Often we don’t have the time or ability to be absolutely certain about environmental decisions. Need to be proactive, rather than reactive Rio Earth Summit 1992 – When there is a threat of serious, perhaps even irreversible, environmental damage, we should not wait for scientific proof before taking precautionary steps to prevent potential harm to the environment

Value on the environment 1.Utilitarian (livelihood) 2.Ecological 3.Aesthetic 4.Recreational 5.Inspirational 6.Creative 7.Moral 1.“species have a moral right to exist” –signed by UN 8.Cultural

Easter Island Read pg 17 – 18, answer 2 of the 3 Critical thinking questions at the end.

Mishawaka Environmental Issues Combined Sewer Overflow – working to separate pipes for sewage and rain water St. Joseph River Water Quality People producing emissions that cause acid rain Drinking water – water quality Air pollution, air quality Farmland – pesticides Endangered species Lack of recycling