Chapter 1 – Understanding Our Environment

Chapter 1 Outline Nature of science Basic statistics Define “environmental science” Historical perspectives Current environmental concerns Discuss sustainability

Science Body of knowledge A process, a way of thinking Limitations Uncertainty Characteristics –Observable, Uniform, Tentative, Repeatable, Testable What science is not –Pseudoscience and Non-science

Answered Through Science or No? Is racism bad? What makes food spoil? What is your favorite soft drink? What is love? Why is the sky blue? What causes earthquakes?

Science as a Way of Thinking Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Roots in Greek philosophy, Arabic mathematics and astronomy, and Chinese naturalism Really examine data and information Look for hidden ideas and subtle meanings

Applying Critical Thinking Identify and evaluate premises and conclusions in an argument; Acknowledge and clarify uncertainties, vagueness, equivocation, and contradictions; Distinguish between facts and values; Recognize and assess assumptions; Distinguish source reliability or unreliability; Recognize and understand conceptual frameworks.

Scientific Method Step 1 – Be curious and make observations Step 2 – Identify and define the problem Step 3 – Gather information Step 4 – Develop a hypothesis Step 5 – Design a testing method Step 6 – Carry out test Step 7 – Analyze data Step 8 – Draw conclusions Step 9 – Accept or reject hypothesis Step 10 – Rework hypothesis

The results are analyzed, and the hypothesis is supported or rejected. ConclusionExperiment/Observations The hypothesis is tested by experiment or further observations. Input from various sources is used to formulate a testable statement. Hypothesis Observation New observations are made, and previous data are studied. Scientific Theory Many experiments and observations support a theory. Flow Diagram for the Scientific Method

Statistics Science of collecting, organizing, summarizing, analyzing, and making inferences from data Descriptive Inferential Populations, samples, and making sense of data

Environment All the circumstances and conditions that surround an organism or a group of organisms.

Environmental Science The study of our environment and our place in it. –Systematic –Interdisciplinary –Integrative –Mission-oriented Ecology is the study of an organism or organisms, the impact of the environment on them, and their impact on the environment.

Dynamic Nature Knowledge constantly expanding New discoveries Implications in public health, lifestyle choices, resource use and consumption, technology, culture, etc. So... many issues involve controversy

Why Study the Environment? Examine conditions, draw conclusions, make decisions Human health depends on the health of the whole environment Achieve balance between ecological, social, and economic concerns

History of Environmental Science Four Distinct Stages –Pragmatic Resource Conservation –Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation –Health and Ecological Damage –Global Environmental Citizenship

Pragmatic Resource Conservation Develop and conserve natural resources for benefit of all people George Perkins Marsh –Man and Nature, 1864 Roosevelt and Pinchot –US Forest Service –Utilitarian Conservation –“Greatest good for the greatest number of people, for the longest time”

Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation Nature has a fundamental right to exist –Biocentric preservation John Muir –Opposed USFS multiple-use philosophy

Modern Environmentalism New concerns from: –Pollution –Human population growth –Many, many chemicals –Atomic weapons testing –Wilderness protection Rachel Carson –Silent Spring, 1962 First Earth Day 1970

Global Concerns Increased technology has increased international communications Realization that degraded environmental conditions do not recognize political boundaries

Environmental Justice Combines civil rights and environmental protection to demand a safe, health environment and resources for all people regardless of race, gender, economic status Basis – Minorities (ethnic and financial) around the world are subjected to a disproportionately high level of environmental health risks in their neighborhood and jobs

Current Environmental Dilemmas Human population Water quantity and quality problems Deforestation Energy sources Fossil fuel use Loss of wetlands Soil degradation Overharvesting of fisheries

Current Environmental Dilemmas, cont. Air quality Chemical pollution (DDT, PCBs, mercury, TCE, etc.) Environmental destruction and loss of biodiversity Climate change Human health?

Major Causes of Environmental Degradation Population Growth Resource Extraction and Use

Human Dimensions of Environmental Science 1.4 billion people (20% of world population) in acute poverty (< US $1 a day) 4 out of 5 people globally live in poverty (by U.S. standards) The world's poorest people are often forced to meet short-term survival needs at the cost of long-term sustainability

Wealthier Nations North America, Singapore, Australia, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Western Europe, Israel, New Zealand Poor people in these countries as well –10 million Americans do not have enough to eat Wealthiest 200 people in the world have a combined wealth of $1 trillion - more than the total wealth of the poorest half (3 billion people) of world’s population

Resource Division Lifestyle –Affluent lifestyles consume inordinate amounts of resources and produce larger amounts of pollutants and waste –US example: 5% of world population Uses 25% commercially-traded commodities Produces 25-50% of wastes

Population * Affluence * Technology Interaction Impacts the Environment

Sustainable Development “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” How can the nations of the world produce the goods and services needed to improve life for everyone without overtaxing the environmental systems and natural resources on which we all depend? Must benefit all people, not a privileged few

Is Sustainable Development Possible? Many economists see continual economic growth as essential in providing more resources to more people Many ecologists view continual growth as impossible in the long-run –non-renewable resources limits –waste-disposal limits It’s all in the definition

Indigenous People Indigenous peoples are generally among the least powerful, most neglected groups. –In many countries, traditional caste systems, discriminatory laws, economics, or prejudices repress indigenous peoples. –In many places, indigenous people in traditional homelands guard undisturbed habitats and rare species. –Recognizing native land rights may safeguard ecological processes.

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity." Albert Einstein