INTRODUCTION

Earth Lights from Space

Potential Test Questions 1. What is Environmental Science? 2. How does science compared with other approaches used to understand the world? 3. What is the Scientific Method? 4. What are the world views that influence issues of Environmental Science?

Geology Our Environment

World Views Utilitarian Economic value (short term) Ecological Life-supporting value Aesthetic Beauty and enjoyment value Moral Species rights

Science Assumes 1. Events follow patterns understood through observation and analysis. 2. Generalizations can be subjected to tests that disprove them. 3. Evidence can disprove existing scientific theories, but science can never provide an absolute proof of the truth of its theories. Because of this, Science is very different from other fields, such as Religion, Art, or even Mathematics.

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Theory Vernacular: Theory = hypothesis In Science: Theory = a strongly supported hypothesis; supported by many experimentally tested hypotheses. Examples: Cell theory of life Germ theory of disease

Solving Environmental Problems Scientific Assessment Refer back to scientific investigation Risk Analysis Evaluate the potential effects of intervention Public Education Explain problem, choices, costs, and potential results Political Action Implement course of action Scientific Follow-Up Evaluate the results of actions taken

Lake Washington

Ten Suburbs Dumped Sewage Into The Lake.

Oscillatoria Was Found Growing In The Lake.

Sewage Appeared To Cause The Lake To Become Eutrophic.

Lake Washington Models predicting water quality were made. Risk analysis of possible responses discussed. Public given information on sewage dumping. Proposed bill voted down. Revised bill passed by voters.

Results The predictions concerning decreasing the phosphorus as a way to decrease eutrophication were correct.

Water Visibility Was Even Greater Than The Model Predicted Water Visibility Was Even Greater Than The Model Predicted. Daphnia Had An Unpredicted Effect.