What is Environmental Science? Unit 1 What is Environmental Science?

Environmental Science Environmental science is a multidisciplinary academic field that integrates the physical, biological and information sciences to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.

Multidisciplinary Science Ecology – study of how living things interact with each other. Biology Earth Science Physics Chemistry Social Sciences

Hunter-Gatherers 1st way humans impacted environment Only hunted for one (person or family) Small overall impact

Agricultural Revolution Agriculture - The practice of growing, breeding, and caring for plants and animals Allowed human populations to grow quickly X. land can support more people by farming it Modified plants and animals from wild ancestors

Agricultural Revolution (cont.) Grasslands, forests, & wetlands were replaced by farmland. Causes soil loss, floods, water shortages And farmed poorly, making them infertile over time

Industrial Revolution Began mid 1700’s Shift from animal, human, and natural energy to fossil fuels like coal and oil Increased efficiency in agriculture, industry, and transportation Reduced human labor needed for agriculture Allowed urban population booms

Industrial Revolution (cont.) Improved life w/ light bulbs, transportation etc. Increased environmental problems like pollution and habitat loss Much of Environmental Science is concerned with problems from the Industrial Revolution.

Population Growth Agricultural & Industrial Revolutions allowed boom in human population Advances in medicine and sanitation also increased human population Issues like habitat destruction & pesticide pollution, are direct results of trying to feed the human populations.

Population Growth (cont.) Pop. Quadrupled in the 20th century Many think pop. Will double in 21st century before stabilizing.

A Demographically Diverse World Developed Countries: countries with an economic base built largely on manufacturing and technology rather than agriculture. (Example: United States, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Japan, Italy)

A Demographically Diverse World Developing Countries: countries that have lower than average income, simple and agricultural based societies, rapid population growth. (Examples: China, Russian Federation, Jamaica, India, Mexico, South Africa)

Demographically Diverse World Least Developing Countries are classified in terms of their low gross national income (GNI), their weak human assets and their high degree of economic vulnerability. (Examples: Afghanistan, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Uganda, Madagascar, Haiti)

Ecological Footprint Ecological Footprint: a resource accounting tool that measures how much nature we have, and how much we use. The Ecological Footprint is defined as "the area of productive land and water ecosystems required to produce the resources that the population consumes

Ecological Footprint There are typically 1.2 ha to one 120 yd football field

Sustainability Sustainability is to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs while improving the quality of human life and stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems — human culture and the living world.

Sustainability

What are the Main Problems? 1. Resource Depletion 2. Pollution 3. Loss of Biodiversity

Resource Depletion Natural resource – any natural material used by humans Classified in 2 groups 1. Renewable resources 2. Nonrenewable resources

Renewable VS. Nonrenewable Renewable – can be replaced quickly by natural processes X. air, soil, trees, crops Nonrenewable – forms at slower rate than consumed X. minerals, fossil fuels(i.e. – oil, gas) Depleted – when large fraction of a resource is used up.

Pollution Undesired change in air, water, or soil that can affect health, survival, or activities. Most pollution caused by humans 2 main types 1. Biodegradable pollutants 2. Nonbiodegradable pollutants

Loss of Biodiversity Biodiversity – the # and variety of species that live in an area. 99.9 % of all species that have ever lived are now extinct!!! Why is Biodiversity so important?

ESS3C – Human Impact on Earth Systems https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrxZ_UqQKyI

Tragedy of the Commons What is the Tragedy of the Commons? In 1968, ecologist Garrett Hardin published an essay entitled “Tragedy of the Commons”. The main difficulty in solving environmental problems is conflict between short term interest of individuals and long term welfare of society.

Tragedy of the Commons Hardin used the example of the “Commons” as an area of land that belonged to an entire village. Anyone could graze cows or sheep on the commons. It was the short term interest of an individual to put as many animals on the commons. However, if too many animals grazed on the commons, then everyone suffered because the animals destroyed the grass and no one could raise animals on the commons. The commons were eventually closed and replaced by fenced fields owned by individuals.

Tragedy of the Commons Today A commons is “something” that everyone uses but no-one takes responsibility for. It can be land, like what Hardin wrote about. It can be rivers, air, forests, oceans, a city block, kitchen, bathroom, resources (like oil and iron), etc. It is “something” that is over used and exploited for the good of individuals, where everyone ends up “paying” for it’s destruction.

Tragedy of the Commons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxC161GvMPc Why is common use of resources good at the beginning? Why are commonly used resources not a benefit to everyone in the long run?