Environmental Science Ch. 1

Environmental Science The study of how the natural world works, how environment affects us, and how we affect our environment. Multiple subject areas contribute to study of environmental science. Therefore, environmental science is interdisciplinary

Environmentalism VS. Environmental Science Environmentalism: a social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world from undesirable changes brought about by human actions. Environmental scientists: maintain an objective approach to work and avoids bias, or a preference that is personal and not scientific. Objective = Facts/data Subjective = Emotions/opinions

OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE

Resources There are 2 types of natural resources, renewable and non-renewable. Renewable recyclable A plastic bottle is _______________ because it was originally made from fossil fuels (petroleum)!

The Renewability Continuum Renewable Renewable with “strings attached” Non-Renewable Oil Coal Natural Gas Metals Minerals Formed over millions of years, once they are gone, they are gone for good. Sunlight Wind Waves Geothermal Constantly available, always renewable. Fresh Water Forest Products Agricultural Crops Soils Livestock These items can be lost if not used sustainably and if they are not allowed to be renewed.

Problems… Population growth and development Environmental problems: Resource Depletion Pollution of water, land and air Loss of Biodiversity Agriculture and Food Production Challenges Over use of Land

The Nature of Science Chapter 1 Section 2

What Science Is and Is Not Science is an organized and methodical way of studying the natural world. This means scientists are always testing and re-testing ideas and concepts. Science is not linear—the process loops back on itself and follows many different paths, making it more cyclical. A hypothesis that was supported last year might be re-examined the following year!

The Scientific Method Linear

Exploration and Discovery The Scientific Method Exploration and Discovery Testing Ideas Community Analysis and Feedback Benefits and Outcomes cyclical

Hypothesis Scientists attempt to answer questions by devising hypotheses—testable ideas Hypotheses: Explain a phenomenon or answer a scientific question Generate predictions that can be checked with models or direct observation (A prediction is the expected observation if the hypothesis is true.) Can be supported or rejected by data May prompt new hypotheses

The Community of Science Scientific research does not stop with the scientific method. In order to have any impact, scientists must share their work at conferences and in journals. They receive and incorporate feedback.

Community Analysis and Feedback After completing their study, scientists: Present their work and get feedback from other researchers at conferences Write papers about their study Submit papers for publication in a journal Many journals are peer-reviewed, meaning scientists review papers submitted for publication, recommend changes, and reject or accept the paper for publication.

Benefits and Outcomes The work of scientists benefits society and influences choices made by members of society. Society can also influence scientific work and ideas. The field of environmental ethics explores this interaction between science and society.

Building on Environmental Science Addressing environmental problems involves more than just understanding the science. Ethics: Study of behavior (good and bad, right and wrong), moral principles, and values Culture: Ensemble of knowledge, beliefs, values, and learned ways of life shared by a group of people Worldview: Perception of the world and a person’s place in it 40,000 buffalo hides, 1872 Ducks killed by an oil spill