Do Now. Make a list of at least 10 features/aspects/characteristics of your “dream house” -be detailed and specific

Environmental Science

Biotic & Abiotic Influences Ecosystem: all the living organisms that share a physical & chemical environment e.g. pond forest oasis

Biotic & Abiotic Influences Biotic Factors: living things, their remains, and features, such as nests, associated with their activities

Biotic & Abiotic Influences Abiotic Factors: the non-living physical and chemical components of an ecosystem e.g. rocks oxygen water sunlight

Biotic & Abiotic Influences

Biotic & Abiotic Influences Sustainable Ecosystem: an ecosystem that is maintained through natural processes

Biotic & Abiotic Influences Sustainable Ecosystem: an ecosystem that is maintained through natural processes Sustainability: the ability to maintain natural ecological conditions without weakening

Is human population growth sustainable?

Sustainability Nature has sustained itself for billions of years Our lives and economies depend on energy from the sun and on resources provided by the earth.

Three Principles of Sustainability

Types of Resources Perpetual – basically never-ending (Solar energy) Renewable – regenerate within days to a few hundred years (fresh water) Non-Renewable – gone once used (fossil fuels)

Pollution Sources of pollution Main type of pollutants Point sources E.g., smokestack Nonpoint sources E.g., pesticides blown into the air Main type of pollutants Biodegradable break down over time Nondegradable can’t be broken down

Point-Source Air Pollution Figure 1.10: This point-source air pollution rises from a pulp mill in New York State (USA). Fig. 1-10, p. 14

Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Figure 1.11: The trash in this river came from a large area of land and is an example of nonpoint water pollution. Fig. 1-11, p. 14

Ecological Footprint the amount of land and water needed to provide an indefinite supply of renewable resources, and to recycle wastes and pollution More people, bigger footprint More resource requirements, bigger footprint  Unsustainable: footprint is larger than Earth’s ability to replenish

Four Causes of Environmental Problems: Population growth Wasteful and unsustainable resource use Poverty Prices of resources do not reflect the harmful environmental costs of consuming resource For each of these causes, what environmental problems result?

Three Big Ideas renewable energy from the sun (including indirect forms ex. wind and flowing water) can meet most of our heating and electricity needs.

Three Big Ideas protect biodiversity by preventing the degradation ecosystems, and by restoring areas we have degraded.

Three Big Ideas sustain the earth’s natural chemical cycles by reducing our production of wastes and pollution, and not removing natural chemicals faster than those chemical cycles can replace them.

Earth-conscious Dream House Now using your list from earlier, research how you could improve the features of your dream house to be environmentally-friendly. Think and Research: What technology exists that won’t harm the planet? Add five additional features to your list that would make your Dream House environmentally-friendly.