Unit 1 – What is Environmental Science? Outcome: Understand the interdisciplinary nature, and applications, of environmental science. Environmental Science – study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment.

Review/Self-Assess Vocabulary Environment includes all the living and nonliving things with which organisms interact. Environment ecosystem abiotic biotic population ecological footprint sustainable fossil fuels natural resources renewable/nonrenewable resources Hypothesis, prediction, independent variable, dependent variable, controlled study, data Theory, peer review, ethics, environmental ethics

Environmental Science Connections Indicator: understand ES as interactions between different branches of science Brainstorm a list of branches of science that you know of (list at least 5, use phones if necessary) – (5 marks). Summarize/define each of these branches (5 marks). Justify how they may be connected to environmental science (5 marks). Submit (Total /15 marks) Environmental Science

Biology – Ecology (organisms and environment), Biotechnology, Botany (plants), Zoology (animals), Microbiology (bacteria, viruses, etc), Soil Biology (soil composition), Mycology (fungi) Chemistry - characteristics of matter Physics – energy, motion, space and time Geology – of solid earth Mineralogy – chemistry and structure of minerals Oceanography – of marine ecosystems Geography – of earth its land, features, and inhabitants Economics? Environmental Science Connections Indicator: understand ES as interactions between different branches of science

Environmental Science Connections Indicator: use an issue to relate other disciplines to ES and describe interactions between different branches of science Think of an environmental issue/crisis, summarize what happened (5) and come up with how at least four different branches of science could be involved (4), and justify if it was natural or human-caused (1): Floods in Alberta (2013) Gulf of Mexico - BP Oil Spill (2010) Hurricane Katrina – New Orleans (2005) Chernobyl disaster (1986) Dutch Elm Disease (1920s ongoing) Salinization of Fertile Crescent (Mesopotamia) – 5000 BCE

Remembering your environmental issue – how might it affect the… Atmosphere - Hydrosphere – Cryosphere - Geosphere - Biosphere – How might one affect another? Environmental Science Connections Indicator: use an issue to consider the impact on Earth’s spheres and how ES involves the interaction between all of Earth’s spheres

Check-in Vocabulary Quiz? Connect between ES and others. What are earth’s main spheres? Remember: - be able to confidently answer indicators – this shows me that you understand. - 1 mark = 1 informative and complete point/sentence. - review assignments, what did you do wrong, if feedback not given: ask and improve as needed - nothing should sneak up on you for exams/quizzes, I don't want to trick you. Answer questions and contribute to discussion and you will be successful.

Place-Based Learning Indicator: discuss importance of place-based learning through living with and in the environment.

What are your beliefs? Environmental Worldviews: anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric, technocentric and ecofeminist. Personal Connections to Environment Indicator: - examine how one’s connection to the environment is influenced by personal experiences and cultural understandings - examine diverse worldviews and how they influence interactions with the environment.

Environmental Science Worldviews Indicator: compare and contrast how different worldviews (anthropocentric, biocentric, ecocentric, technocentric, ecofeminist, etc.) and associated ethics influence individual decision making with respect to the environment Where do you stand – what does each mean and which do you identify with most? Why? - Anthropocentric - biocentric - ecocentric - technocentric - ecofeminist “Green Politics” How might this influence your decision- making on a daily basis? Does it actually? Should it? Do you follow through on these beliefs?

Sustainability, Economics and Environmental Policy vocabulary/self-assess *=more important *Economics supply demand sustainable *cost-benefit analysis *ecological economics *environment economics non-market value market failure *ecolabelling *policy *environment policy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) command-and-control approach *subsidy *green taxes cap and trade system lobbying

Sustainability & Environmental Science Indicator: Investigate the contemporary and historical social context of environmental science and notions of sustainability. Industrial Revolution  Sustainability Understand the relationship between environmental issues and economics Environmental Science – is it a public concern? (Polleverywhere.com) How has the view on sustainability changed over time? Sustainability – what does it mean and involve? How is it viewed? Is it currently an issue? What might the relationship be between environmental issues and economics?

Agricultural Revolution Industrial Revolution Medical Revolution Green Revolution Environmental Revolution and Sustainability How are these tied to economy? Environmental Science History Indicator: outline key events, including the industrial revolution, medical revolution, green revolution (agriculture), and the environmental revolution which contributed to the development of environmental science as a discipline.

What is a system? Inputs, outputs Positive Feedback Loop Negative Feedback Loop Environmental Systems Indicator: provide an example of a specific environmental system and its boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, feedback loops, and synergistic nature.

Characteristics of Systems Indicator: Describe general characteristics (in and out flow, storage, transfers and transformations of energy, positive and negative feedbacks, synergistic properties) of systems. In and Out Flow Storage Transfers and Transformations of Energy Positive and Negative Feedbacks Synergistic Properties Feedback Loops

Characteristics of Systems Indicator: Provide an example of a specific environmental system – its boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, and feedback loops EXAMPLE: In and Out Flow - Storage - Transfers and Transformations of Energy - Positive and Negative Feedbacks - Synergistic Properties - Feedback Loops -

Carbon Cycle Nitrogen Cycle Phosphorus Cycle Water Cycle Food Chain/Energy Transfers Environmental Systems - Cycles Indicator: provide an example of a specific environmental system and its boundaries, inputs, outputs, energy transfers and transformations, feedback loops, and synergistic nature.

Environmental Systems Indicator: recognize how environmental science implements system analysis and modeling in order to make sense of complex interactions Environmental science utilizes the observation of all different systems of life to make decisions for change: - Earth’s spheres - human activity (sustainability and abuse); - general characteristics of the natural environment This leads to the creation of models that simulate environmental response to events.

Characteristics of Natural Ecosystems Indicators: understand that the resilience of a natural ecosystem depends on its ability to maintain steady-state equilibrium around its carrying capacity Steady-State Equilibrium - Carrying capacity – How do these relate to a natural ecosystem’s survival?

Environmental Science Regulations through Legislation Indicator: understand the important role of environmental science in gathering data to develop legislation and then regulate environmental practices or make environmental decisions. Fields of environmental science collect data on issues (animal population declines, habitat destruction, temperature patterns) Government needs data to see issues and therefore adjust legislation to regulate environmental practices. Developing legislation requires popular support. Problems? Being 'Environmentally-Friendly' costs money. People like money.

Economics Cost-benefit Analysis → Supply and Demand Non-market values and market failure. Ecolabeling Environmental Policy Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

Environmental Policy Command and control approach Subsidies, green taxes, cap-and-trade. Environmental Policy Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

STEPS FOR MAKING CHANGE and CREATING POLICIES 1. Identify the problem 2. Research the causes 3. Solution – envision one 4. Organized – get organized 5. Access politicians (people who can make change) 6. Policy – create and introduce a bill. Environmental Policy Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

When doing research remember the scientific method. Controlled experiments with independent and dependent variables. Hypothesize, predict, and get your work reviewed by peers – make it repeatable. Environmental Policy Indicator: recognize that environmental science produces important information that can be used for setting environmental policy and informing economic decision making.

Unit 1 - Assessment Verbal – exam questions are asked in interview format – by appointment and/or recommendation Written – standard exam write-up Definitions Mult. Choice True/False Short/Long Answer Visual/Charts/Compare&Contrast Focus on indicators!