Chapter 1 Science and the Environment Section 1 Understanding Our Environment

What is the environment. The environment is everything around us What is the environment? The environment is everything around us. Not just the pretty flowers, trees and streams; it includes everything from your back yard to all of the interactions that you don’t see; it also includes everything man-made and all of the interactions between man and nature. YOU are part of the environment too.

What is the environment. The environment is everything around us What is the environment? The environment is everything around us. Not just the pretty flowers, trees and streams; it includes everything from your back yard to all of the interactions that you don’t see; it also includes everything man-made and all of the interactions between man and nature. YOU are part of the environment too.

What is Environmental Science? Georgia is full of rivers. Any time we have to investigate something like a fish kill it is an example of environmental science – the study of the impact of humans on the environment. One of the main goals of environmental science is to understand and solve environmental problems. To do this we have to look at both how we use natural resources and how our actions alter the environment. Both of these things involve knowledge from many different disciplines (fields of study). Because we are solving problems in environmental science, it is an applied science. But this requires knowledge that comes from pure sciences (learning just for the sake of knowing) like biology, chemistry, and physics.

What is Environmental Science? Georgia is full of rivers. Any time we have to investigate something like a fish kill it is an example of environmental science – the study of the impact of humans on the environment. One of the main goals of environmental science is to understand and solve environmental problems. To do this we have to look at both how we use natural resources and how our actions alter the environment. Both of these things involve knowledge from many different disciplines (fields of study). Because we are solving problems in environmental science, it is an applied science. But this requires knowledge that comes from pure sciences (learning just for the sake of knowing) like biology, chemistry, and physics.

How is it used in Environmental Sci? Complete the following using the text on pages 6 & 7 and the table on page 7 in your textbook: Field of Study Is the study of: How is it used in Environmental Sci?   Chemistry Geology Botany Paleontology Climatology

Scientists as Citizens, Citizens as Scientists The environment affects societies worldwide. Therefore, it is the responsibility of environmental scientists to share their findings with the world. For example, climate data addresses a worldwide problem and needs to be addressed globally. It is also the responsibility of individuals to bring environmental changes or abnormalities to the attention of scientists. For example, smelly river water may be an indication of pollution in the water that may harm the health of people and other organisms. Scientists don’t necessarily know about it unless someone brings it to their attention.

Scientists as Citizens, Citizens as Scientists The environment affects societies worldwide. Therefore, it is the responsibility of environmental scientists to share their findings with the world. For example, climate data addresses a worldwide problem and needs to be addressed globally. It is also the responsibility of individuals to bring environmental changes or abnormalities to the attention of scientists. For example, smelly river water may be an indication of pollution in the water that may harm the health of people and other organisms. Scientists don’t necessarily know about it unless someone brings it to their attention.

Our Environment Through Time Humans have impacted the environment for as long as we have existed. Sometimes it is less dramatic such as changing fields to farmland and sometimes it is very dramatic such as changing forest into a sprawling city.

Our Environment Through Time Humans have impacted the environment for as long as we have existed. Sometimes it is less dramatic such as changing fields to farmland and sometimes it is very dramatic such as changing forest into a sprawling city.

Hunter-Gatherers did just this Hunter-Gatherers did just this. They hunted wild animals or collected plants for food. This required following the food (migration) and worked best with small groups of humans. Hunter-Gatherers still exist today in places like the Amazon rain forests and New Guinea.

Hunter-Gatherers did just this Hunter-Gatherers did just this. They hunted wild animals or collected plants for food. This required following the food (migration) and worked best with small groups of humans. Hunter-Gatherers still exist today in places like the Amazon rain forests and New Guinea.

Agriculture is the practice of growing, breeding, and caring for plants and animals that are used for human purposes. Agriculture started over 10,000 years ago when hunter-gatherer groups began to collect and plant seeds and to domesticate some of the animals in the environment.

Agriculture is the practice of growing, breeding, and caring for plants and animals that are used for human purposes. Agriculture started over 10,000 years ago when hunter-gatherer groups began to collect and plant seeds and to domesticate some of the animals in the environment.

For most of the last 10,000 years the work of human societies was powered by humans themselves or by animals such as horses and oxen. Then in the middle of the 1700’s fossil fuels such as coal and oil came into use. Machines that used these fuels like the steam engine greatly increased the efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation. This era is known as the Industrial Revolution.

For most of the last 10,000 years the work of human societies was powered by humans themselves or by animals such as horses and oxen. Then in the middle of the 1700’s fossil fuels such as coal and oil came into use. Machines that used these fuels like the steam engine greatly increased the efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation. This era is known as the Industrial Revolution.

By 1700, understanding of anatomy improved, and the microscope was invented. The germ theory of disease in the 1800’s led to cures for many infectious diseases. Military doctors advanced the methods of trauma treatment and surgery. Public health measures were developed as the rapid growth of cities required systematic sanitary measures. Advanced research centers opened in the 1900’s, often connected with major hospitals. The mid-1900’s were characterized by new biological treatments, such as antibiotics. These advancements, along with developments in chemistry, genetics, and lab technology (such as the x-ray) led to modern medicine. Medical advancements of the 1800’s and 1900’s are part of what we call the Medical Revolution. The most obvious impact of the medical revolution was higher human survival rates that contributed to the rapid increase of the human population. What followed is a greater need for natural resources and the environmental destruction that goes along with it, and a greater production of waste to include more hazardous waste, especially with the advancements in technology.

By 1700, understanding of anatomy improved, and the microscope was invented. The germ theory of disease in the 1800’s led to cures for many infectious diseases. Military doctors advanced the methods of trauma treatment and surgery. Public health measures were developed as the rapid growth of cities required systematic sanitary measures. Advanced research centers opened in the 1900’s, often connected with major hospitals. The mid-1900’s were characterized by new biological treatments, such as antibiotics. These advancements, along with developments in chemistry, genetics, and lab technology (such as the x-ray) led to modern medicine. Medical advancements of the 1800’s and 1900’s are part of what we call the Medical Revolution. The most obvious impact of the medical revolution was higher human survival rates that contributed to the rapid increase of the human population. What followed is a greater need for natural resources and the environmental destruction that goes along with it, and a greater production of waste to include more hazardous waste, especially with the advancements in technology.

Each of the major changes discussed above can be considered a technological revolution. A technological revolution is a dramatic social change brought about relatively quickly by the introduction of some new technology. Past examples include the introduction of agriculture, the invention of the movable type printing press, the atomic bomb, and the internet.

Each of the major changes discussed above can be considered a technological revolution. A technological revolution is a dramatic social change brought about relatively quickly by the introduction of some new technology. Past examples include the introduction of agriculture, the invention of the movable type printing press, the atomic bomb, and the internet.

Use pages 9-11 and the text above to fill in the following chart: Event/activity: How did it impact the environment?   Hunting/Gathering Agricultural Revolution Industrial Revolution Medical Revolution

List 3 ways the Industrial Revolution changed society (page 11)   a) b) c)

Spaceship Earth A spaceship has only the supplies on the ship and cannot dispose of waste as it is traveling. You can think of Earth as this spaceship; we have only the supplies that are on Earth and we cannot dispose of our waste anywhere else. Because of these conditions Earth is considered a closed system; the only thing that enters or leaves is energy from the sun. As the human population grows we have more and more environmental problems such as using up our resources and generating waste faster than we can dispose of it. These environmental problems occur on 3 different levels: local, regional, and global. Local problems might be where to build a new landfill or destruction of forest for new farm fields. Regional problems might include river water quality. Global problems include things like ozone destruction and the greenhouse effect.

Spaceship Earth A spaceship has only the supplies on the ship and cannot dispose of waste as it is traveling. You can think of Earth as this spaceship; we have only the supplies that are on Earth and we cannot dispose of our waste anywhere else. Because of these conditions Earth is considered a closed system; the only thing that enters or leaves is energy from the sun. As the human population grows we have more and more environmental problems such as using up our resources and generating waste faster than we can dispose of it. These environmental problems occur on 3 different levels: local, regional, and global. Local problems might be where to build a new landfill or destruction of forest for new farm fields. Regional problems might include river water quality. Global problems include things like ozone destruction and the greenhouse effect.

No matter the level of the problem the underlying cause can usually be traced back to one thing. The agricultural and industrial revolutions allowed the human population to grow faster than ever before and the medical revolution lowered the mortality rate. Many of today’s environmental problems that affect us today are the result of feeding the world in the 20th century. What will happen to the environment as the human population continues to grow?

No matter the level of the problem the underlying cause can usually be traced back to one thing. The agricultural and industrial revolutions allowed the human population to grow faster than ever before and the medical revolution lowered the mortality rate. Many of today’s environmental problems that affect us today are the result of feeding the world in the 20th century. What will happen to the environment as the human population continues to grow?

Whar Are Our Main Environmental Problems? Environmental problems are generally classified into one of 3 groups: Resource depletion: using up available natural resources. A natural resource is any natural material that is used by humans. They are classified as renewable or nonrenewable. Renewable resources: a resource that can be replaced relatively quickly; examples are fresh water, air, soil, trees, and crops. Nonrenewable resources: a resource that forms at a much slower rate that it can be consumed; examples are fossil fuels and minerals such as copper and aluminum These resources are considered depleted when a large fraction of them has been used up.

Whar Are Our Main Environmental Problems? Environmental problems are generally classified into one of 3 groups: Resource depletion: using up available natural resources. A natural resource is any natural material that is used by humans. They are classified as renewable or nonrenewable. Renewable resources: a resource that can be replaced relatively quickly; examples are fresh water, air, soil, trees, and crops. Nonrenewable resources: a resource that forms at a much slower rate that it can be consumed; examples are fossil fuels and minerals such as copper and aluminum These resources are considered depleted when a large fraction of them has been used up.

Tell whether each of the following is renewable (R) or nonrenewable (N)   _____ Wind _____ Trees _____ Diamond _____ Solar Energy _____ Coal _____ Natural Gas _____ Nuclear Energy _____ Oil _____ Geothermal Energy _____ Hydroelectric Power

Pollution: adverse or undesired levels of substances building up in the environment (air, water, or soil). Effects often include illness or even death. The two main types of pollution are biodegradable and nonbiodegradable. Biodegradable: pollutants that can be broken down by natural processes; examples are human sewage and food wastes. These are problematic when they build up faster than they can break down. Nonbiodegradable: pollutants that cannot be broken down by natural processes; examples are mercury, lead, and plastics. These can build up to dangerous levels in the environment.

Pollution: adverse or undesired levels of substances building up in the environment (air, water, or soil). Effects often include illness or even death. The two main types of pollution are biodegradable and nonbiodegradable. Biodegradable: pollutants that can be broken down by natural processes; examples are human sewage and food wastes. These are problematic when they build up faster than they can break down. Nonbiodegradable: pollutants that cannot be broken down by natural processes; examples are mercury, lead, and plastics. These can build up to dangerous levels in the environment.

Tell whether each of the following is biodegradable (B) or nonbiodegradable (N)   _____ Fruit _____ Aluminum cans _____ Plastic _____ Tires _____ Hair _____ Bones _____ Leather _____ Copper _____ Glass _____ Cardboard

Loss of biodiversity: the disappearance of species Loss of biodiversity: the disappearance of species. Species have always disappeared (become extinct) but scientists think that if current rates of extinction continue, it may cause problems for human populations in the future. We depend on these organisms for food, oxygen, and other things. Extinction: when the last member of a species has died. Mass extinction: large scale extinctions; many species become extinct in a short period of time.

Loss of biodiversity: the disappearance of species Loss of biodiversity: the disappearance of species. Species have always disappeared (become extinct) but scientists think that if current rates of extinction continue, it may cause problems for human populations in the future. We depend on these organisms for food, oxygen, and other things. Extinction: when the last member of a species has died. Mass extinction: large scale extinctions; many species become extinct in a short period of time.