Introduction to Environmental Science

What is the environment? Includes all the living and nonliving things in an area Living things – biotic factors Ex: plants, birds, squirrels, humans, mushrooms, bacteria Nonliving things – abiotic factors Ex: oceans, sun, rocks, soil, clouds, air

What do humans rely on the environment for? Water, Food, Air to breath, Shelter (wood & other building materials) These things are called resources. We also rely on the environment for certain services. Water and Air purification Soil creation and replenishment Forest Regrowth Unfortunately, as we use these resources and services, we affect our environment usually negatively.

How do we negatively affect our environment? Create Waste & Pollution Use up resources and services faster that they can be made or replenished We call this depletion. So, studying the environment remind us that we are part of this world and how we interact with it matters!

What is environmental science? the study of how the environment works, how the environment affects us, and how we affect our environment.

Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism Environmental Science is based in the scientific method. The ideas have been tested and evidence has been gained through experimentation. Environmentalism is… A social and/or political movement People dedicated to protecting the environment Want to pass or change laws or make people aware of environmental issues

Tragedy of the Commons

Let’s talk about a major environmental problem! Overpopulation Why is this a problem? too many people, using too many resources, too quickly not enough resources for everyone, create a lot of waste Why is overpopulation a difficult problem to solve? You can’t just tell people to stop having kids or how many kids they are allowed to have! Moral/Ethical and Religious Issues So what can we do? How can we fix this problem?

The answer lies in the different types of resources! Concept Map

The answer to our original question about overpopulation rests in a term called… Sustainability using resources at the same rate that they can be replaced or replenished Which resources would be more sustainable to use?