Environmental Science 101 Chapter 1 Environmental Science and Sustainability 1-11-16

This lecture will help you understand: The meaning of the term environment The importance of natural resources That environmental science is interdisciplinary The scientific method and how science operates Some pressures facing the global environment Sustainability and sustainable development

Environment: the total of our surroundings All the things around us with which we interact: Living things Animals, plants, forests, fungi, etc. Non-living things Continents, oceans, clouds, soil, rocks Our built environment Buildings, human-created living centers Social relationships and institutions Urbanization, Cars

Humans exist within the environment Humans exist within the environment and are part of nature. Our survival depends on a healthy, functioning planet. The fundamental insight of environmental science is that we are part of the natural world. Our interactions with its other parts matter a great deal.

Science Definition: Human effort to understand how the natural world works by making observations, measurements and experiments. Success depends on 5 Factors Curiosity Skepticism Reproducibility Peer Review Critical Thinking

The scientific method A technique for testing ideas A scientist makes an observation and asks questions of some phenomenon. The scientist formulates a hypothesis, a statement that attempts to answer the question. The hypothesis is used to generate predictions: specific statements that can be tested. The results support or reject the hypothesis.

3 Limitations to Science Can’t prove or disprove anything 100% Biased Natural Systems are very complex

Earths Natural Systems Sustainability Definition: capacity of the earths natural systems and humans systems to survive, flourish, and adapt. Earths Natural Systems -Atmosphere -Hydrosphere/Cryosphere -Geosphere/Pedosphere -Biosphere -Anthrosphere 2 Reasons to Care Self-Interest Ethical Views

Natural Capital Definition: resources and ecological services provided by nature that keep us alive and support human economies Resources: matter and energy Life, Land, Air, Water, Soil, Minerals, Fossil Fuels Ecological Services: natural cycles that allow us to survive Top-soil, air, water purification, pollination

Renewable resources: Perpetually available: sunlight, wind, wave energy Renew themselves over short periods of time: timber, water, soil Non-renewable resources: Can be depleted (fixed/limited quantity) Examples: Oil, coal, minerals

Environmental Degradation Definition: Use of a Natural Resource faster than it can be renewed or decreasing the effectiveness of a Natural Service Tropical Deforestation Drought Topsoil Erosion Water pollution Air pollution Extinctions

Ecological Footprints Definition: a rough measure of our environmental impact on earth’s renewable resources and life support system. More-Developed vs Less-Developed Countries Per Capita ($)

Ecological Footprints II

Are We Living Sustainably?

What Can Be Done? Three Scientific Principles of Sustainability - Solar energy - Chemical cycling - Biodiversity

Solar (?) Energy Definition: Renewable (nearly limitless) supply of energy Powers Technological Solutions Decreases Pollution Power Plants Transportation – Cars (Airplanes?) Wind Nuclear Ch. 5/6

Chemical Cycling Definition: Continuous cycling of chemical required for life from the environments Soil (Ch. 4/9) , Water (Ch. 10/11) , and Air (Ch. 12) Required for Life Rate of Consumption vs Rate of Regeneration Figure 1.18, 1.19, 1.20

Biodiversity Definition: Variety of genes, species, and ecosystems are required for the life-sustaining processes of energy flow and chemical cycling Key Role in Cycling Examples: Water Purification, Soil Regeneration, Fishing Currently in the 6th great extinction?

3 Social Science Principles of Sustainability Economics: Full-Cost Pricing Price resources/pollution better *Wealth Equality Political Science: Win-Win Solutions Solve environmental issues without economic harms Benefit the largest number of people Ethics: Responsibility to Future Generations That’s you! (and your kids) Leave the Earth like we found it (or better!) *We only need 5-10% of the people to care to bring about change

What Can We/You Do? Big/Hard Questions! Environmental Century Can’t predict everything Reduce Ecological Footprint vs Expand Resources Available ?

Environmental Science  Environmentalism The pursuit of knowledge Remain objective Environmentalism A social movement Environmental activism

Environmental Science How the natural world works and how humans interact with it Environment   Impacts   Humans

Environmental Science and Sustainability (1) Population (2) Exam 1 Exam 3 Environmental Science and Sustainability (1) Population (2) Urbanization (3) Extinctions (8) Climate Change (13) Final Exam Environment Exam 4 Exam 2 Water (10) Food (4) Mineral Resources (7) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (5) Nonrenewable Energy (6) Exam 5 Land Degradation (9) Water Pollution (11) Air Pollution (12) Waste (14)