In your opinion, what is the most important environmental problem the world is facing right now? Explain your choice. Global warming, population growth (food competition), pollution, waste removal, resource depletion (mining), land use, loss of biodiversity

Ecology v. Envi. Sci. Ecology: study of how organisms interact with each other and nonliving components. Environmental Science: study of how HUMANS interact with their environment (biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components) – Specific to humans

Environmental Science The science of studying how we (humans) affect the environment We don’t always have a positive affect – Environmental Science is also focused on finding solutions for the ways that humans negatively affect the environment

Environmental Science relies on a lot of other sciences… Biology - ecology, chemistry, Earth Science, Geology

Ecology How does ecology inform environmental science?

Chemistry How does knowledge of Chemistry connect to environmental science?

Earth Science How does earth science play a role in environmental science?

Geology How can geology helps us in Environmental Science?

So what is a major force driving the conflicts between humans and their environment?

What are some of the stresses human population growth can put on the environment? Finish the sentence… Habitat Destruction -with more people, habitats get destroyed because….. Pollution -with more people, …….because….. Resource Depletion -with more people, …….because….. Disruption of Ecosystems -with more people, …….because….. Food Shortages with more people, …….because….. Competition for land with more people, …….because….. Loss of Biodiversity with more people, …….because…..

Top Environmental Issues Pollution- air, water, soil Resource Depletion Biodiversity Loss Land Use Climate Change / Global Warming Think…Who’s to blame for all these?

Pollution Source: sap.einaudi.cornell.edu

Resource Depletion en.wikipedia.org

Loss of Biodiversity king.portlandschools.org

Climate Change

What is a natural resource? With a partner…. – Create a list of natural resources humans need to survive in the 21 st century – Put a (*) next to any resources that can be regenerated naturally (renewable) – Put a (^) next to any resources that can only be used once and do not regenerate naturally (nonrenewable)

Tragedy of the Commons

Examples of “Common” Resources Air, Water, Fish of the Ocean Consequences of “Fouling” the Commons – Pollution – Over-fishing – Overpopulation (human) Is there a solution?

The Environment and Society

Supply and Demand When supply decreases, demand (and costs) increase Gas Prices Over time

Developed vs Developing Developed Wealthier Slower population growth Industrialized Social Support Systems in place Developing Not as wealthy Higher population growth Agricultural No social support systems, government instability

Ecological Footprint

Lowering Our Ecological Footprint Ecological Footprint: The amount of land/sea it takes to sustain your current lifestyle With a partner, write down a list of 10 ways you can lower your ecological footprint

“Home” eCU&feature=mv_sr eCU&feature=mv_sr

“Home” Discussion Questions How has agriculture changed humanity? Industrial revolution – many farmers lost their jobs to machines How has the discovery and utilization of fossil fuels changed humanity? More convenient but we are pollution the earth and we are running out of fossil fuels. How have both changed the Earth?

So what is the goal?

Sustainability Using resources in such a way that human populations can survive indefinitely. Now, our society is NOT sustainable – Environmental Science advocates for WISE USE of resources

Exit Question The fundamental environmental issue is A.Air Pollution B.Water Pollution C.Loss of habitat D.Non-renewable resources E.Human population growth

The Answer is… E. Human population growth ecology2011tamara2011sp.wordpress.com