Ch. 1 Science and the Environment

Bellringer

Objectives Define environmental science and compare environmental science with ecology. List the five major fields of study that contribute to environmental science. Describe the major environmental effects of hunter-gatherers, the agricultural revolution, and the Industrial Revolution. Distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources. Classify environmental problems into three major categories.

Environmental Science The study of the impact of humans on the environment. Why study ES? To better understand and solve environmental problems What are some environmental problems we are facing today?

Environmental Science ES is made up of many different fields of study Biology Earth Science Physics Chemistry Social Sciences

Ecology The study of how living things interact with each other and with their nonliving environment. Environmental Science vs. Ecology

Environment Through Time Hunter-gatherers – people who obtain food by collecting plants and hunting wild animals Environmental damage Burnt fields to hunt Mass kills Possible extinction of some large mammals

Environment Through Time Agricultural revolution – the switch from hunter- gathering to farming as a way to obtain food. Good Effects Population growth in small areas, no more moving Ready source of food, no more gathering

Environment Through Time Agricultural Revolution continued Environmental Damage Slash and burn Poor soil Floods Loss of habitat Extinctions

Environment Through Time Industrial Revolution – the shift from human or animal power to fossil fuels for energy Good effects Increased the efficiency of agriculture, industry and transportation Less expensive goods Less land needed for farming Improved sanitation, nutrition and medical care

Environment Through Time Industrial Revolution continued Environmental Harm Pollution from fossil fuels Overpopulation Loss of habitat as cities grow Etc.

Earth – A closed system Much like a spaceship Only thing that enters is energy from the sun Only thing that leaves is heat Limited resources No waste disposal

Population Growth Industrial revolution allowed for a great growth in the population of the human race Better sanitation Better medicine More food production

Population Growth As populations grow, food production must increase, this has environmetal consequences Habitat destruction Pesticide pollution Population counter http://www.ibiblio.org/lunarbin/worldpop 7/23/09 – 6,928,346,442

Major Environmental Problems Resource Depletion Pollution Loss of Biodiversity

Resource Depletion When large amounts of a resource is used up Natural resource – any natural material used by humans Renewable – resource that can be replaces quickly Water, air, soil, trees, etc. Nonrenewable – a resource that forms much slower than it is used Minerals, fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas)

Resource Depletion

Pollution When waste is produced faster than it is disposed of it creates pollution Pollution – an undesired change that adversely effects humans or other organisms. Biodegradable pollutants – can be broken down by natural processes – sewage, food waste, etc. Nondegrable pollutants – can’t be broken down by natural processes – lead, mercury, etc.

Loss of Biodiversity Biodiversity – the number and variety of species in an area Only a fraction of species are alive today, because of large scale or mass extinctions Many mass extinctions have happened throughout history Why is this a big deal?

Class Work In your Eco-log, complete the following - Copy table 1, page 7, the first column in full and just the highlighted words in the second column - Copy table 2, page 14, the entire table.

Section 2 - Objectives Describe “The Tragedy of the Commons”. Explain the law of supply and demand. List three differences between developed and developing countries. Explain what sustainability is, and describe why it is a goal of environmental science.

“The Tragedy of the Commons” “If I don’t use this resource someone else will. The little bit I use or pollute won’t matter.” Proposed by Garrett Hardin in 1968 Someone has to take responsibility

“The Tragedy of the Commons” Easter Island – 2,500 yrs ago

https://www. youtube. com/watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IdzaEiYx5o&feature=player_detailpage

Economic and the Environment The Law of Supply and Demand states as the demand for a good or service increases, the value or the food or service also increases. Ex: Oil Production

Economic and the Environment Cost-benefit Analysis – balances the cost of the action against the benefits one expects from it. Depends on who you are asking Ex: Industrial water pollution Industry says the cost to clean is much greater than the benefit of a clean stream Community says a clean water supply far outweighs the cost of cleaning the pollution

Economic and the Environment Developed Countries Higher average income Slower population growth Diverse industries Stronger social supports U.S., Canada, Japan, and wester Europe Use 75% of the worlds resources, but are only 20% of the population Developing Countries Lower average income Agricultural based economies Rapid population growth China, India, Mexico, etc.

Table 3

Causes of Environmental Problems 1st – population growth is too quick for the environment to support 2nd – humans are using up, wasting, and wasting natural resources faster than they can be replaced or cleaned up

Ecological Footprint The productive area of Earth needed to support one person Calculation includes land for Crops Grazing Forest products Housing Ocean area for seafood Forest to absorb air pollution from fossil fuels

http://www.myfootprint.org/ https://www.youtube.com /watch?v=nP1nzCqoT9g&fe ature=player_detailpage

https://www. youtube. com/watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nP1nzCqoT9g&feature=player_detailpage

Sustainability Sustainability is the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely. The ultimate goal!!

Class Work In your Eco-log, answer the following... Be sure the write the questions and answer for full credit All Critical Thinking questions must be in complete sentences. Pg. 21 – Sect. 2 Review - questions 1,2,3,and 5.