Geosciences and Environmental Sciences are linked • Both involve an understanding of many different scientific disciplines Physics- Bio & Geophysicists Biology - Ecologists, Paleontologists Geology- Pedologists (soils), hydrologists, Geologists Chemistry – Environmental & Aqueous Geochemists Meteorology-Meteorologists and Climatologists Oceanography - Oceanographers Astronomy- Astronomers and Astrophysicists Together these disciplines form a broad-based scientific community that serves to understand the natural world using the scientific method through investigation of data from Earth’s major systems

Interconnectedness of Earth’s Systems • Earth's physical systems can be divided into 5 categories or 5 Spheres of Influence • Exosphere Atmosphere Exosphere- the stuff from space that affects systems on Earth Hydrosphere Atmosphere - the gas surrounding the planet Biosphere Hydrosphere - the water Geosphere Geosphere-(a.k.a.- lithosphere) the rocks Biosphere- the living things on the Earth

Examples of our interaction with Earth Systems February -May 2010. Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland shuts down air traffic for weeks in Europe July-August 2010. Monsoons dump massive amounts of rain in Pakistan, 1500 people dead; about 1.25 million people displaced, 1/5 of the country under water.

Our interaction with Earth Systems Science Feb 12, 2014. Sinkhole opens up in a few minutes in Bowling Green, KY. Swallows up 7 classic corvettes leaving a massive hole under the museum floor. March 2011 Mag 9.0 earthquake & tsunami strikes Japan. 20,000 people dead; about 10,000 people injured and 200,000 left homeless. Significant damage to nuclear power plant

April 20, 2010- Oil drilling platform explodes and sinks, killing 11 workers, creating the largest oil spill in human history, and damaging the ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico.

Dust storms hit southern Arizona- 4 times the Phoenix, AZ area has been affected by these events in 2011

The SCIENCE of GLOBAL CHANGE Scientists know an awful lot about the Earth’s systems Scientists still have much to learn about the Earth’s systems Change is the RULE, not the exception Many things- some large, some small- influence climate position and amount of land on planet ocean-atmosphere-land dynamics incoming solar radiation fluctuations reflectance and absorption of solar energy carbon cycle water cycle population of organisms (e.g., phytoplankton, humans) percentage of gases in atmosphere volcanic eruptions and meteorite impacts Many of the above interact with other factors in semi-predictable ways

Importance in understanding this concept Importance to us (humans) • • Humans could not exist without resources from the We could not exist without resources from the various spheres of influence various spheres of influence - - Minerals from the lithosphere Minerals from the lithosphere - - Oxygen from the biosphere and atmosphere Oxygen from the biosphere and atmosphere - - Water from the hydrosphere Water from the hydrosphere - - Protection by the atmosphere Protection by the atmosphere - - "star stuff" from the exosphere • • Need to understand our place on the planet Need to understand the world around us - - must use our resources wisely must use our resources wisely > > most are limited; many are shared by other species most are limited - - Understanding is needed to make informed decisions on public policy Must make informed decisions on public policy - Must make informed decisions on private matters

Why think about any of this stuff? Citizens of Earth have a responsibility to know about the planet on which ALL of us live. Must make INFORMED decisions based on a sound understanding of the Earth, its resources, and its limits. Gut instincts or feelings commonly don’t provide an adequate foundation for decision making. Must care enough about yourself, your family, your friends and community NOW and IN THE FUTURE to ACT on that information in a responsible manner.

Do we want to be as Agent Smith from “The Matrix” claims… “I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure.”