Introducing a new half-year environmental science course at CNS High School Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions Taught by Mrs. Linkinhoker A graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, with an undergraduate degree in Natural Resources Management with a focus on Environmental and Forest Biology

Who can take this new half-year course? Grades 11, 12 Prerequisite - Students must have earned at least 2 units of science credit, and have passed 1 NYS Science Regents Exam. Science on Seneca Field Trip, October 2010

What is this new environmental science course about? This course aims to educate students about local, national, and global environmental issues and engage students in thinking critically about real and sustainable solutions to these problems. Students will explore environmental issues from scientific, social, political, and economic points of view while developing the skills to create and maintain positive, healthy, and sustainable communities. In short, this course focuses on  Global Perspectives  Informed Actions  Sustainable Solutions This course aims to educate students about local, national, and global environmental issues and engage students in thinking critically about real and sustainable solutions to these problems. Students will explore environmental issues from scientific, social, political, and economic points of view while developing the skills to create and maintain positive, healthy, and sustainable communities. In short, this course focuses on  Global Perspectives  Informed Actions  Sustainable Solutions

What else is this new environmental science course about? The study of our planet’s natural systems and how humans and the environment affect one another Understanding the interactions between humans and the environment is the first step to solving environmental problems. The study of our planet’s natural systems and how humans and the environment affect one another Understanding the interactions between humans and the environment is the first step to solving environmental problems. National Marine Fisheries Service scientists studying whether commercial boats are harming endangered killer whales

Why is this new course so important? Like all species on Earth, humans rely on a healthy, functioning planet for clean air and water, adequate food and shelter. Taking this new course will help you learn about… Like all species on Earth, humans rely on a healthy, functioning planet for clean air and water, adequate food and shelter. Taking this new course will help you learn about…

Natural Resources Such as… Renewable resources: Naturally replenished over short periods Nonrenewable resources: Naturally formed more slowly than we use them. Renewable resources can become nonrenewable if used faster than they are replenished. Such as… Renewable resources: Naturally replenished over short periods Nonrenewable resources: Naturally formed more slowly than we use them. Renewable resources can become nonrenewable if used faster than they are replenished.

Ecosystem Services Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services. Intact environments provide ecosystem services, such as water purification and pest control. High biodiversity increases stability of communities and ecosystems, enabling them to perform services.

Species Interactions Zebra and Quagga mussels have displaced native species in Seneca Lake. Science on Seneca Field Trip, October 2010

Community Stability A 2010 report on invasive species suggests that they cost the U.S. $120 billion a year in environmental losses and damages. Invasive kudzu

Human Population Growth The environmental, economic, and social impacts of exponential human population growth. We are nearing 7 BILLION people on Earth.7 BILLION How many people can the Earth support? The environmental, economic, and social impacts of exponential human population growth. We are nearing 7 BILLION people on Earth.7 BILLION How many people can the Earth support? Did You Know? The human population increases by about 200,000 people every day. The environmental impacts of:

Ecological Footprints The total amount of Earth’s resources required to meet all of your lifestyle needs and wants, including the resources you use and the wastes that you produce. Did You Know? By one calculation, if every person in the world lived like the the average American we would need nearly 4 Earths?

Land Use and Urbanization For the first time in history, there are now more urban residents than rural residents.

Energy The United States has only 4.5% of the world’s population but uses 21.1% of the world’s energy.

Evidence of a Warming Earth Rising global surface temperatures Changes in precipitation patterns Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice) Rising sea level Rising global surface temperatures Changes in precipitation patterns Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice) Rising sea level Did You Know? Since 1986, the Larsen Ice Shelf near Antarctica has lost an area more than 3 times the size of Rhode Island. Both photos show Sperry Glacier in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Top: 1913: Bottom: 2008

Environmental Economics Economies depend on the environment for goods and services. Goods: Sunlight, fresh water, timber, and fossil fuels Services: Nutrient cycling and purification of air and water Economic activity can negatively affect the environment, which in turn can negatively affect economies. We will learn about the importance of:

Environmental Policy A set of general plans and principles for interactions between humans and the environment Effective environmental policy involves input from science, ethics, and economics. In the U.S., all three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) are involved in federal environmental policy. A set of general plans and principles for interactions between humans and the environment Effective environmental policy involves input from science, ethics, and economics. In the U.S., all three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) are involved in federal environmental policy.

The Process of Environmental Science Environmental Science involves asking questions, making observations, seeking evidence, sharing ideas, and analyzing results. Environmental Science is a dynamic, creative endeavor. Environmental Science involves asking questions, making observations, seeking evidence, sharing ideas, and analyzing results. Environmental Science is a dynamic, creative endeavor. We will be involved in

Gather Real Data Scientists test predictions by gathering evidence in the form of data. Data can come from an experiment or observational studies. Scientists test predictions by gathering evidence in the form of data. Data can come from an experiment or observational studies. Such as doing field work to Science on Seneca Field Trip, October 2010

We will participate with and within the Community Scientific research does not stop with the scientific method. In order to have any impact, environmental scientists must share their findings.

Addressing environmental problems involves more than just understanding the science. We will discuss: Ethics: Study of behavior (good and bad, right and wrong), moral principles, and values Culture: Ensemble of knowledge, beliefs, values, and learned ways of life shared by a group of people Worldview: Perception of the world and a person’s place in it Addressing environmental problems involves more than just understanding the science. We will discuss: Ethics: Study of behavior (good and bad, right and wrong), moral principles, and values Culture: Ensemble of knowledge, beliefs, values, and learned ways of life shared by a group of people Worldview: Perception of the world and a person’s place in it Build on Environmental Science 40,000 buffalo hides, 1872 Ducks killed by an oil spill We will

Environmental Justice The environmental justice movement: Recognizes that quality of life is connected to environmental quality Promotes fair and equitable treatment of all people regarding environmental policy and practice The environmental justice movement: Recognizes that quality of life is connected to environmental quality Promotes fair and equitable treatment of all people regarding environmental policy and practice Including…

Are you ready for the challenge? If so, sign up for this new environmental science course. Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions It’s in your hands. Any questions? See Mrs. Link in room 271.