Chapter 1 The Environment

Defining the Environment  How long have humans been on the planet?  Humans increasingly impact the environment: how?  We can’t ignore environmental problems

Human Population  Overpopulation: how many people live on Earth?  Nearly 1 in 4 live in extreme poverty extreme poverty  How big will our population get?  How big can our population get? population get?  Consumption & economic growth

Rich & Poor  Highly developed countries: ≈ 20% of world’s population  Poor countries –Moderately developed –Less developed (LDCs)

Characteristics of LDCs  Cheap, unskilled labor  Economy agriculturally based  Hunger, disease, illiteracy common

Rich vs. Poor  Developing countries –Rapid population growth is overwhelming –Natural resource depletion  Developed countries –Slower population growth –Higher rate of consumption

Types of Resources  Nonrenewable –Limited supply –Once they’re gone, they’re gone –Examples?  Renewable –Virtually unlimited –Replenished over relatively short periods –Examples? –Easy to overexploit  nonrenewable

Population & Resources  Economic growth tied to exploiting natural resources  Developed countries have utilized many of their resources  Use of natural resources tied to poverty

Population & Consumption  People overpopulation –Environment getting worse –Too many people  Consumption overpopulation –Environment getting worse –Use far more than necessary: why?

Too Much Stuff!  Highly developed countries  20% world’s population consume: –86% aluminum –76% harvested timber –68% energy –61% meat eaten –42% fresh water  Developing countries are starting to consume more: why?

Ecological Footprints  Productive land and ocean needed to supply person with her/his needs  What if we all had the same footprint?

Population, Consumption, & Environmental Impact  I = P x A x T  I: Environmental impact  P: Population  A: Affluence per person  T: Technology used  Interpret results with care!  Ultimate goal: make consumption sustainable

NIMBY & NIMTOO  Not in my backyard  Not in my term of office  What situations cause people to say these?  How practical are these?

Environmental Sustainability  Sustainability: environment will function indefinitely  Based on: –Effects of our actions on the environment –Earth’s resources are finite –Understanding impact of consumption –Shared responsibility

Does This Sound Sustainable?  Nonrenewable resources being rapidly depleted  Many renewable resources being used in a nonrenewable way

Does This Sound Sustainable?  Environment is being polluted  Human population is increasing

 Economic growth that: - Meets needs of the present - Does not compromise future  Meets needs of world’s poor  Can occur only within limits of the limits of the environment environment Sustainable Development

Global Environmental Issues Global Warming Deforestation

Global Environmental Issues Threatened Oceans Ozone depletion

Sustainable Development

 Requires eradication of poverty  Poor will need to increase consumption: why?  Will require major lifestyle changes lifestyle changes Sustainable Consumption

 Using goods and services for our needs  Minimizes use of resources  Eliminate consumption overpopulation Sustainable Consumption

Economics  Study of how we decide to use scarce resources to provide goods & services  Free market –Supply & demand determine price –Canadian economy

How Are The Economy & Environment Related? Environment is the source of materials Environment is the source of materials Environment serves as a sink for wastes Environment serves as a sink for wastes Sources & sinks contribute to natural capital Sources & sinks contribute to natural capital Resource degradation: overuse of sources Resource degradation: overuse of sources Pollution: overuse of sinks Pollution: overuse of sinks

Economy & Environment

National Income Accounts  Total income in a nation in one year  GDP & NDP provide estimates  Two problems with current system –Natural resource depletion –Cost & benefits of pollution control

Pollution Control  Currently, cost of polluting not deducted from GDP  Estimates of environmental damage should be subtracted from GDP

What is Environmental Science?  Interdisciplinary  Broad field  Ecology is a basic tool  Goals –Establish general principles about how the natural world functions –Identifying, understanding, and solving problems

What is Science?  Not just a body of knowledge  Dynamic process  Requires collection of data  An ongoing enterprise  Requires reevaluation

The Scientific Method

The Process of Science  A good hypothesis makes a prediction  Experiment –Variable: factor that influences a process –Control group: variable isn’t altered  Theory –Integrated explanation of numerous hypotheses –Solid ground of science –Accepted as true

Eco Canada Career Focus  Eco Canada develops programs, educates and provides resources for employees  Have you though of a career as an environmental communications officer?

Case Study: The Flood of the Century  Red River was used as a principle transport route  Human activities altered the environment  Red River Flood covered 2000 square kilometers  How could the devastation been reduced?