Environmental Science Introduction Doing Science

Environmental Science Interdisciplinary study of humanity’s relationship with other organisms and the nonliving physical environment. Encompasses many complex and interconnected problems Human numbers Natural Resources Pollution

Environmental Sustainability Ability of the environment to function indefinitely without going into a decline from the stresses imposed by human society on natural systems that maintain life

Non-Sustainable Human Behaviors Using nonrenewable resources as if they were present in unlimited supplies Using renewable resources faster than they can be replenished naturally Pollution the environment with toxins as if the capacity to absorb them were limitless Increasing in numbers despite the Earth’s finite ability to support us.

Factors Contributing to Environmental Degradation Population Consumption

Environmental Impacts

Thomas Multhus and Population

Human Population Growth

Pollution, Population and Consumption

Endocrine Disrupters

Overfishing: Georges Bank

Subsistence Fishing

Factory Fishing Boat

Overfishing

Declining Bird Populations Habitat fragmentation Nest parasitism

Nest Parasitism and Habitat Fragmentation Fragmentation of habitat for songbirds is a result of development Increases edges Associated with increased populations of cowbirds

Reintroduction of Wolves

Exotic Species

Stratospheric Ozone Depletion

Global Warming

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide

Rain Forest Destruction

Addressing Environmental Problems

Components to Addressing an Environmental Problem Scientific Assessment Risk Analysis Public Education Political Action Follow-through

Scientific Method

Decision Making and Risk Assessment Hazard Identification Exposure Assessment Toxicity Assessment Risk Characterizatin

Perception of Risk

Dose-Response: Threshold

Dose-Response: No Threshold

Cancer Slope Factor

Mixtures of Chemicals Additivity Synergy Antagonism

Risk Assessment Focus Human Health Ecological

Assessing and Managing an Environmental Problem: A Case Study

Lake Washington

Phosphorous and Lake Washington

Phosphorous and Algal Blooms

Transparency