Chapter 1 Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability

What is Environmental Science?  The goals of environmental science are to learn: Ecology- how nature works. Ecology- how nature works. “Ecos” means “house or home” in Greek “Ecos” means “house or home” in Greek Humans- Humans- how the environment effects us.how the environment effects us. how we effect the environment.how we effect the environment. Sustainability- how human society can thrive indefinitely without degrading our life-support system. Sustainability- how human society can thrive indefinitely without degrading our life-support system.

One Key to the 21 st Century: Human Population Sao Paulo, Brasil city favela a.k.a. slum

Global Human Population Trend YearHuman Pop. Earth billion billion billion billion billion billion billion Time to ∆ ? 200,000 years 130 years 30 years 30 years 14years 14years 13years 13years 12years 12years What would a line graph of this data look like?

Core Case Study: Living in an Exponential Age  Human population growth: J-shaped curve Next

Fig. 1-2, p. 7 Air (atmosphere) ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Human “Culturesphere” Earth's Life-Support System Politics Population Size Worldviews and ethics Economics Life (biosphere) Soil and rocks (lithosphere) Water (hydrosphere)

Fig. 1-2, p. 7 Philosophy Biology Ethics Chemistry Physics Political science Geology Economics Geography Demography Anthropology Ecology Environmental Science

Environmentally Sustainable Societies  … meets basic needs of its people in a just and equitable manner without degrading the natural capital that supplies these resources.  Natural capital can be thought of as “stuff you can use” Next See book Figure 1-3 p. 8

Environmentally Sustainable Societies  Write the heading “Natural Capital”, then make two columns under that called “Natural Resources” & “Natural Services”  List all of the natural resources & natural services in figure 1-3 under the appropriate heading. (10 min) Next See book Figure 1-3 p. 8

 Sustainability is the ability of earth’s various systems to survive and adapt to environmental conditions indefinitely.  The steps to sustainability must be supported by sound science. Next Sustainability: The Integrative Theme

Fig. 1-3, p. 8 Sound Science A Path to Sustainability Individuals Matter Trade-OffsSolutions Natural Capital Degradation Natural Capital Supported by…

Global Outlook  Comparison of developed and developing countries. Next

Developed vs Developing Countries DevelopedDevelopingThe BRIC (“rich”)__ (“poor”) (“in the middle”) N. AmericaAfrica B razil W. Europe most of Asia R ussia Japanmost of S. & I ndia Australia C. America C hina + M exico & S. Korea

Developed vs Developing Countries Developed Nations: 1.2 billion people 3% of pop growth by 2050 use 88% of world’s resources Developing Nations: 5.8 billion people 97% of pop growth by 2050 use 12% of world’s resources

Fig. 1-9b, p. 14

Fig. 1-9a, p. 14

Fig. 1-6, p. 11

Fig. 1-5, p. 11 Percentage of World's Population Developing countries Developed countries Pollution and waste Resource use Wealth and Income Population Growth

Fig. 1-6, p. 11

Key Terms: GDP & GDP-PPP  GDP : Gross Domestic Product Total dollar value of all goods and services in one country in one year Total dollar value of all goods and services in one country in one year  GDP per capita: Average value of all goods & services per person in a country = GDP/population = GDP/population  PPP: Purchasing Power Parity An adjustment that reflects the fact that some things cost WAY less in developing nations An adjustment that reflects the fact that some things cost WAY less in developing nations  Per capita GDP-PPP: The average amount of goods & services in one country per person, adjusted for differences in price

POPULATION GROWTH, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT  Economic growth provides people with more goods and services. Measured in gross domestic product (GDP) and purchasing power parity (PPP). Measured in gross domestic product (GDP) and purchasing power parity (PPP).  Economic development uses economic growth to improve living standards. The world’s countries economic status (developed vs. developing) are based on their degree of industrialization and GDP-PPP. The world’s countries economic status (developed vs. developing) are based on their degree of industrialization and GDP-PPP.

NATURAL RESOURCES  Perpetual: On a human time scale are continuous. Example: solar energy  Renewable: On a human time scale can be replenished rapidly (e.g. hours to several decades). Examples: trees, water, fish, soil*  Nonrenewable: On a human time scale are in fixed supply. Examples: copper ore, fossil fuels, uranium

NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES 3 types of non-renewable resources: 1. metals 2. non-metalS 3. energy -coal -coal -oil -oil -natural gas -natural gas -nuclear fission -nuclear fission gypsum copper ore

RESOURCES: The Tragedy of the Commons  Common property or Free access Resources – clean air, open ocean & fish, migratory birds, gasses of the lower atmosphere (troposphere)  Tragedy of the Commons- “If I do not use this resource, someon else will. The little bit I use or pollute is not enough to matter, and such resources are renewable”  The original Commons -the common fields that were in the middle of each midieval town

Solutions to The Tragedy of the Commons  Use free-access resources well below their estimated sustainable yields Reduce population Regulate access (government regulations) Both  Convert free-access resources to private ownership Logic- people take better care of things they own Fallacy- companies may degrade the resource for short-term profits (forests, mining, etc.)

Nonrenewable Resources  Exist as fixed quantity Becomes economically depleted. Becomes economically depleted.  Recycling and reusing extends supply Recycling processes waste material into new material. Recycling processes waste material into new material. Reuse is using a resource over again in the same form. Reuse is using a resource over again in the same form. Figure 1-8

Our Ecological Footprint  Humanity’s ecological footprint has exceeded earths ecological capacity. Next

Fig. 1-7a, p. 13 Total Footprint (million hectares) and Share of Global Ecological Capacity (%) United States 2,810 (25%) European Union 2,160 (19%) China 2,050 (18%) India 780 (7%) Japan 540 (5%)

Fig. 1-7b, p. 13 Footprint Per Person (hectares per person) United States European Union 1.6 China India Japan

Fig. 1-7c, p. 13 Number of Earths Humanity's Ecological Footprint Earth’s Ecological Capacity Year If everyone consumed resources at US rates, we would need five more planets!

POLLUTION  Anything found at high enough levels in the environment to cause harm to organisms. Point source Point source Nonpoint source Nonpoint source Figure 1-9

Point Source Pollution: Pollution from a single, identifiable source

Non-Point Source Pollution: Pollution from diffuse, widespread sources.

SOURCES OF POLLUTION FOR TEXAS RIVERS, STREAMS, RESERVOIRS AND BAYS

Pollution  Pollutants can have three types of unwanted effects: Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems. Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems. Example: Soil salinization Example: Soil salinization Can damage health and property. Can damage health and property. Examples: Breathing ground-level ozone Stream pollution from mining Can create nuisances such as noise and unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights. Can create nuisances such as noise and unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights. Examples: Hercules’ wood chip pile smell Light Pollution Light Pollution

3 Greatest Environmental Impacts, in order: 1. Agriculture 2. Transportation 3. Heating & cooling buildings

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: CAUSES AND CONNECTIONS

Fig. 1-10, p. 17 Depletion of nonrenewable resources SOLAR CAPITAL Human Capital Human Economic and Cultural Systems Pollution and waste Degradation of renewable resources Heat Goods and services Natural Capital EARTH Environmental Problems: Causes & Connections Red = “Unintended Consequences”!

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: CAUSES AND CONNECTIONS  The major causes of environmental problems are: Population growth- Global (2011): 1.2% Population growth- Global (2011): 1.2% Unsustainable resource use Unsustainable resource use Poverty Poverty Poor environmental accounting: not paying the “true cost” of using environmental capital Poor environmental accounting: not paying the “true cost” of using environmental capital Ecological ignorance: we don’t deeply understand how the earth works Ecological ignorance: we don’t deeply understand how the earth works

Natural capital degradation  The exponential increasing flow of material resources through the world’s economic systems depletes, degrades and pollutes the environment. Next

Fig. 1-11, p. 17 Causes of Environmental Problems Ecological Ignorance: Trying to manage and simplify nature with too little knowledge about how it works Poor Environmental Accounting: Not including the environmental costs of economic goods and services in their market prices PovertyUnsustainable resource use Population growth

Solutions: Pollution Prevention vs. Pollution Cleanup  Problems with relying on cleanup: Temporary bandage without improvements in pollution control technology. Temporary bandage without improvements in pollution control technology. Often just moves a pollutant from one part of the environment to cause problems in another. Often just moves a pollutant from one part of the environment to cause problems in another. Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to reduce them to acceptable levels. Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to reduce them to acceptable levels.

Solutions: Pollution Prevention vs. Pollution Cleanup  Old sayings that support pollution prevention over cleanup: “A stitch in time saves nine” “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

Poverty and Environmental Problems  1 of 3 children under 5, suffer from severe malnutrition. Next

Fig. 1-12, p billion (17%) Enough food for good health Adequate health care Clean drinking Water Enough fuel for heating and cooking Electricity Adequate Sanitation Number of people (% of world's population) Lack of access to 1.6 billion (25%) 2 billion (31%) 2.4 billion (37%)

Resource Consumption and Environmental Problems  Underconsumption - Globally, about 50% live on less than $2 per day  Overconsumption “Affluenza”: unsustainable addiction to overconsumption and materialism. “Affluenza”: unsustainable addiction to overconsumption and materialism. “The Hungry Ghost”

CULTURAL CHANGES AND THE ENVIRONMENT  Agricultural revolution (8,000 to 10,000 years ago) Allowed people to stay in one place (first villages & cities). Allowed people to stay in one place (first villages & cities).  Industrial-medical revolution (mid-1700s) Led shift from rural villages to urban society. Led shift from rural villages to urban society. Science improved sanitation and disease control. Science improved sanitation and disease control. Greatly decreased death rate (effect on population?) Greatly decreased death rate (effect on population?)  Information-globalization revolution (late 1900s) Rapid access to information. Rapid access to information.

Fig. 1-15, p. 23 Trade-Offs Industrial-Medical Revolution AdvantagesDIsadvantages Mass production of useful and affordable products Higher standard of living for many Greatly increased agricultural production Lower infant mortality Longer life expectancy Increased urbanization Lower rate of population growth Increased air pollution Increased waste pollution Soil depletion and degradation Groundwater depletion Habitat destruction and degradation Biodiversity depletion Increased water pollution

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PARADIGMS  Technological optimists: suggest that human ingenuity will keep the environment sustainable, no matter what. suggest that human ingenuity will keep the environment sustainable, no matter what.  Environmental pessimists: overstate the problems where our environmental situation seems hopeless. overstate the problems where our environmental situation seems hopeless.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWS  Planetary Management Worldview- We are separate from nature, and nature exists to serve our increasing needs and wants. economic growth is seen as unlimited. economic growth is seen as unlimited. all environmental challenges will be easily met via new technologies. all environmental challenges will be easily met via new technologies.

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWS  Stewardship Worldview- We can manage the earth for our own benefit, but we have an ethical responsibility to be caring and responsible stewards of the earth. Encourage beneficial forms of economic growth Encourage beneficial forms of economic growth Discourage earth-degrading forms of economic growth Discourage earth-degrading forms of economic growth

SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWS  Environmental Wisdom Worldview- We are part of and totally dependent on nature; nature exists for all species. Encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth Encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth Discourage earth-degrading forms of economic growth Discourage earth-degrading forms of economic growth Our success depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and basing how we think and act on this knowledge Our success depends on learning how the earth sustains itself and basing how we think and act on this knowledge

Aldo Leopold’s Environmental Ethics  Individuals matter.  … land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics.  We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity…  “…anything is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability,and beauty of the biotic community…” (Which worldview is this?)

Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability: Copy Nature Next

Fig. 1-16, p. 24 Reliance on Solar Energy Population Control Nutrient Recycling Biodiversity

Fig. 1-17, p. 25 Reduce human births and wasteful resource use to prevent environmental overload and depletion and degradation of resources. Controls a species’ population size and resource use by interactions with its environment and other species. Runs on renewable solar energy. Rely mostly on renewable solar energy. Recycles nutrients and wastes. There is little waste in nature. Uses biodiversity to maintain itself and adapt to new environ- mental conditions. Prevent and reduce pollution and recycle and reuse resources. Preserve biodiversity by protecting ecosystem services and habitats and preventing premature extinction of species. Solutions Principles of Sustainability How Nature WorksLessons for Us

Fig. 1-18, p. 24 Protecting natural capital Current EmphasisSustainability Emphasis Pollution cleanup Waste disposal (bury or burn) Protecting species Environmental degradation Increasing resource use Population growth Depleting and degrading natural capital Pollution prevention Waste prevention Protecting habitat Environmental restoration Less resource waste Population stabilization Bad news: This change in emphasis is going to be very challenging Good news: It only takes 5-10% of a population to bring about major social change More good news: the change is already starting to happen very rapidly.