Bell Work In two sentences or more; please give me your definition of what Environmental Science is to you? Define what you think a system is?

The True Introduction to APES The True Introduction to

Environmental Science Module 1 United States is high dependent on fuels Ex. Coal and oil; methane Which is least harmful for air pollution? Methane: burns complete; cleaner than coal or oil; less impurities

To Frack or Not to Frack ANY FRACKING PROBLEMS WITH THIS? Fracking – short for hydraulic fracturing Is a method of oil and gas extraction that uses high-pressure fluids to force open existing cracks in rocks Why is this beneficial? Access to difficult to reach locations Cheaper bc of large quantities are now available Electricity Generation from coal is reduced.

Fracking Cons Large amounts of water are removed from lakes and streams Chemicals are added to fracking fluid to facilitate release of natural gas Possible drinking water contamination can occur

Purpose of this proposal? Human activities that are initially perceived as causing little harm to environment can have adverse effects We must always strive to understand effects surrounding the issue and obtain absolute answers Basically….. Environmental Science can be controversial.

Environmental Science Environment – sum of all the conditions surrounding us that influence life Environmental Science – field of study that looks at interactions among human systems and those found in nature. What does system mean? Any set of interacting components that influence one another by exchanging energy or materials

Regional Versus Global What is an example of a regional issue? Fracking What is an example of a global issue? Extinction and climate change

Ecosystems Environmental Scientists Participate in environmentalism But follow the scientific process of observation, hypothesis, and field/ lab research. A specific type of natural system Includes Biotic and Abiotic factors Is Environmental Science Environmentalism? They protect through lobbying, activism, and education

Humans alter Natural Systems Describe what you see in the pictures? Living and non-living components.. How do they relate to environmental science?

Cont… Insects killed trees Moisture lost/ dry trees Vulnerability to fire Fire germinates seeds All activity leads to a transformation Biotic interact with abiotic to influence future of the forest.

The Global Environment is composed of small-scale and large-scale systems To a physiologist a cod is a system. A marine biologist, the predator-prey relationship between two fish forms a system Oceanographer the system might consist of ocean currents and their effects on fish populations A fisheries manager is interested in a larger system, consisting of fish populations as well as human activities and laws.

Shaping our Environment We manipulate the environment more than any other species Convert land Change chemistry of air, water, and soil Even our ancestors caused extinction of species

Conclusion Studying Environmental Science helps us understand the role we as humans play in the natural environment How the role has changed over time So it is important to have techniques for measuring and quantifying human impact…. Indicators.