Our Island, Earth Chapter 1 Section 1.1

What is Environmental Science? Defined as the study of how humans interact with the environment Our environment is a complex web of relationships that connects us with the world. We (as well as other living things) rely on the Earth for everything we need for survival (food, water, shelter) and cannot survive in an unhealthy environment.

Goals of Environmental Science Major goal= to understand and solve environmental problems Two (2) Main types of interactions studied by scientists: a. how humans use natural resources like water and plants b. how human actions alter (change) the environment Involves many fields of science study

Fields of Study Called an “interdisciplinary” science--- this means it involves many different fields of study Ecology- study of how living things interact with one another and the nonliving environment Many sciences contribute to environmental science: *Biology *Earth Science *Physics *Chemistry *Social science

What’s the Difference? Environmental Science Environmentalism Pursuit of knowledge about the workings of the environment and our interactions with it Scientists maintain an objective approach and avoid bias (personal preference) whenever possible Social movement Based upon bias and preference Includes organizations like PETA and Greenpeace

Population Up, Resources Down As the human population increases, so does the consumption (usage) of natural resources Human Population Growth- human population has grown exponentially placing a lot of pressure on the Earth; it’s the cause of many of the other environmental problems a. Almost 7 billion people on the planet b. Over 200,000 humans are added per day Resource Depletion- a resource is any natural material used by an organism

What’s the Difference? Renewable Resource Nonrenewable Resource A resource that forms at a much slower rate than the rate at which it is consumed Examples include coal, oil, and gas A resource that can be replaced over short periods of time Examples include water, soil, trees, solar energy

“The Tragedy of the Commons” An essay written by an ecologist named Garrett Hardin He argued that the main difficulty in solving environmental problems is the conflict between the short-term interests of individuals and the long-term welfare of society Used the example of the commons- areas of shared land that belonged to a whole village Point of essay= someone or some group has to take responsibility for maintaining a resource

If no one takes responsibility, the resource can be overused and become depleted Earth’s natural resources are today’s “modern commons” The needs of the many out weigh the needs of a few.

Developed & Developing Countries The unequal distribution of wealth and resources influences the environmental problems faced by a society. Developed Nation: a nation that has higher average incomes, slower population growth, diverse industrial economies and stronger social support systems. Developing Nation: a nation that has lower average incomes, simple & agricultural-based economies, and rapid population growth

Developed Countries include USA, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Scotland, Germany, Japan Developing Countries include USSR, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Peru, Chile, Argentina Least Developing Countries include the Sudan, the Congo, Niger and many other parts of Africa

Sustainability It is the main goal of environmental science. Defined as the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely Currently, developed nations are using resources faster than they can be replaced If all parts of society (individuals, industry, and government) cooperate, sustainability is achievable.

Ecological Footprint A way to express the differences in consumption between nations Shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country Estimates the land used for crops, grazing, forest products, and housing Estimates water consumption and the ocean area needed to harvest seafood Also estimates the forest area needed to absorb pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels

Our Environment Through Time Hunter –Gatherers: a) obtained food by collecting plants and by hunting wild animals or scavenging their remains b) People moved from place to place (migrated) c) set fires to burn prairies & prevented the growth of trees. d) helped spread plants to areas where they did not originally grow

Agricultural Revolution: a) collected the seeds of plants and grew them b) domesticated animals c) human population boom d) forest habitats were destroyed to create farmland

Industrial Revolution: a) involved a shift in energy sources from animal muscle to running water, coal, and oil b) large scale production of food; quality of life improved c) urban cities grew and people relocated to them d) large amounts of pollution as a result e) habitat destruction continued

An Introduction to the Scientific Method Section 1.2 The Nature of Science An Introduction to the Scientific Method

Science is an organized and methodical way of studying the natural world. Process of science= Scientific Method Scientists examine the natural world by collecting evidence (data). Nothing in science can be absolutely proven no matter how much evidence is collected.

There are Six Steps to the Scientific Method. 1. Problem 2. Information 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Make Observations/ Collect Data 6. Conclusion

1. Problem a. This is the question that you are trying to answer or problem that you are trying to solve. b. Try to narrow it down and be very specific.

2. Information Gather data about your question and/or make observations: books magazines reports interview experts your past experiences

3. Hypothesis an educated guess what you think the answer is based upon your gathered information an idea tested by experimentation

4. Experiment This is broken into 2 parts: materials and procedure. Materials is a list of equipment that you will need for the experiment. Procedure is a list of instructions that you need to follow for the experiment. Must be a Controlled Experiment!!!

Controlled Experiment It has to have large numbers of observations It needs a control group Can test only one variable at a time Definitions: Control group – group that doesn’t get the ind. variable Experimental group – group that gets the ind. variable

What are Variables? A variable is something that changes. There are three types: Independent variable –is the variable whose value we know before we start an experiment; a variable we manipulate, or change, on purpose. Dependent variable – is the outcome of the experiment; it’s often measured. Controlled variable – a variable that does not change in an experiment; same between both the experimental group and control group.

5. Observations/ Data Collection Collection of information that was observed and data collected during the experiment. It may be organized into charts, graphs, or written work. This is WHAT HAPPENED!!!!! 28

6. Conclusion What did you find out after analyzing your data? Answer the question It is OK if it turns out that your hypothesis was not correct. You learned something!!!!!!!!! Always RETEST your results!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Report your findings One of the most important parts of the scientific method is to report your findings to others . You will help others learn. You will help to create further questions and research.

Everyday Science Information: Spaghetti sauce should be red. 1. Problem: Make a homemade Spaghetti Sauce Information: Spaghetti sauce should be red. Hypothesis (prediction): Use a can of tomato sauce (since it’s red). Experiment: Heat tomato sauce in a pot. Observe/Collect Data: Taste the sauce - bland. Conclusion: More things have to be added to the tomato sauce

Revise your hypothesis and Retest: Use tomato sauce and now add garlic for flavor! New experiment: Add garlic- tastes a lot better. Keep adding ingredients until it tastes right!!!!! Scientific Theory: Would be “The Final Recipe.”