Environmental Science Why would we need to study the Earth?

Neuse River Fish Killer A few days in1991 1 x 109 fish died Researchers developed skin sores, nausea, vomiting, memory impairment and confusion Pfiesteria was the cause Toxin emitted by Pfiesteria killed the fish 24 life stages herbivore to carnivore

Terms to Understand Environment – the sum of all conditions surrounding us that impact life. System – any set of interacting components that influence one another by exchanging energy or materials. Ecosystem – a specific natural system on the planet that has biotic and abiotic components.

Environmental Studies

Humans alter Natural Systems What difference does this make?

Human Activities We have manipulated the environment more than anything else in the last 20000 years Air, water, and soil are all changed intentionally and unintentionally Come up with 4 examples, 2 positive and 2 negative -

What state of health is the Earth in? How can we determine how healthy the Earth actually is? Talk about this at your table.

5 Global Scale Indicators Biological Diversity Food Production Average Surface Temperature and CO2 Concentrations Human Population Resource Depletion