Science and the Environment An Introduction to Environmental Science Ch. 1

Understanding our Environment Section 1.1 Understanding our Environment

What is Environmental Science? The study of human interactions with the environment

The key goal of Environmental Science is to achieve sustainability Human needs are met in such a way the population can last indefinitely

How can science help us understand and solve environmental problems?

Goals of Environmental Science To understand and solve environmental problems study interactions between people and the environment Use of natural resources How we alter our env.

Fields of study involved in Environmental Science Biology ZOOLOGY, BOTANY, MICROBIOLOGY, ECOLOGY EARTH SCIENCE GEOLOGY, PALEONTOLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY, HYDROLOGY PHYSICS ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY BIOCHEM., GEOCHEM SOCIAL SCIENCES GEOGRAPHY, ANTHROPOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY

Is environmental change a new problem?

How have past civilizations changed their environments? Hunter-gathers HUNTED ANIMALS TO EXTINCTION DESTROYED HABITAT Agricultural Revolution Overworked soil Increased pressure on local env. Industrial Revolution Increased use of fossil fuels

Affect of population growth Need more food Need more space

The Earth is a closed system What does this mean?

Main Environmental Problems Resource depletion Renewable vs nonrenewable

Pollution

Loss of Biodiversity

Environment and society Section 1.2 Environment and society

Economics and the Environment What influences how we use our natural resources?

Supply and Demand States that the greater the demand for a limited supply of something the more the product is worth

Costs and Benefits maintaining a healthy environment and Fixing environmental problems costs $$$ Ex. Do we pay more a product that is environmentally friendly or buy the cheaper product without environmental safeguards?

Risk Assessment Cost of any action is the risk of an undesirable action

Developed vs Developing Countries Actions by other countries affect our environment Developed countries- higher average income, slower pop. Growth, strong economy (US, Canada, Japan) vs. Developing countries – lower incomes, high pop rates (Brazil, China, India) Different consumption patterns affect the environment differently Which one causes greater harm to the environment?

Population and Consumption Almost all environmental problems are caused by - population increase

Local Population Pressures local resources cannot support a growing population

Consumption Trends As a country develops they consume more resources Developed nations use 75% of the world’s resources Creates wastes and pollution

Ecological Footprints The area of the earth’s productive surface, both land and sea, that it takes to support a person’s or a population's lifestyle

Ecological footprints include: Natural resources needed from the environment Space for infrastructure Recreation Waste disposal

What is your footprint? video

What impact does the food we eat have on the environment??

Raise your hand if you have eaten a cheeseburger in the last week.

Read Hamburger, Fries, and a cola Circle or highlight the following as you read: Resources required to produce the meal Impacts to the environment and people Cheeseburger footprint

Environment Science in Context Environmental problems are complex Rights of individuals and property owners with the needs of society-is there a balance? People are passionate on either side Be open to different view points The KEY is achieving sustainability!!