UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Chapters 1, 21, & 2

1.1 Understanding our Environment  Environmental science – the study of the impact of humans on the environment  Two types of interactions between humans & environment:  How we use resources  How our actions alter the environment

Fields of Study  Many sciences contribute to the study of environmental science

Our Environment Through Time  Hunter-gatherers (most of human history)  Hunted animals, collected plants for food  Over-hunting led to extinctions of some animals

 Agricultural Revolution  Agriculture—growing, breeding & caring for plants & animals  Caused habitat destruction & overuse of land

 Industrial Revolution (1700’s – today)  Machines use fossil fuels to produce goods  Substances to make life easier created more environmental problems

Main Environmental Problems  Resource depletion  Natural resource— any natural material used by humans  Renewable—are continuously replaced  Non-renewable—isn’t replaced fast enough for human use

 Pollution— undesired change in air, water or soil that affects other organisms

 Loss of Biodiversity  Biodiversity— number & variety of species in an area  Extinctions cause decline in biodiversity

 Types of environmental problems  Local—in one or a few communities (city, county, etc.)  Regional—across a state, country or part of the world (Minnesota, Midwest, U.S., etc.)  Global—worldwide problem affecting the entire biosphere 1.2 Understanding our Environment

 Developed countries—higher incomes, industrialized (U.S., Canada, Japan, etc.)  Developing countries—lower incomes, non- industrialized (Mexico, India, Kenya, etc.) Developed & Developing Countries

Population & Consumption  Environmental problems are due to:  Overpopulation  Overconsumption  Goal of environmental science:  Achieve sustainability—human needs are met without depleting natural resources

Why Conserve?  Biocentric preservation—nature should be protected because it has value  All living things are important, prevent extinction  Utilitarian conservation—nature should be protected because it serves people  Food, lumber, tourism

 Late 1800’s – early 1900’s  People realized need to preserve nature  John Muir started environmental movement 21.2 History of U.S Environmental Policy

 1905  President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national parks, wildlife refuges, & game laws

 1930’s – 1940’s  Conservation & ecology practices became more popular

 1960’s decade  Rachel Carson published Silent Spring  Brought attention to pollution & resource depletion  Started modern environmental movement 21.3 Influential Individuals

 1970’s  First Earth Day: April 22 nd, 1970  Started by Wisconsin senator G. Nelson

 Steps of the scientific method: 1. Observe / Question 2. Hypothesize & predict 3. Experiment 4. Organize data 5. Conclude 6. Communicate results 2.1 Scientific Methods

 Correlation—association between two events  Don’t necessarily prove cause & effect The Correlation Method

 Key habits for scientific thinking:  Be curious  Be skeptical  Be open to new ideas  Be honest  Be imaginative & creative Scientific Habits of Mind