Chapter 3 Living Resources Section 1 Environmental Issues Notes 3-1

Types of Environmental Issues Resource Use Resource Use Renewable resources: naturally replaced in short time Renewable resources: naturally replaced in short time Sunlight, wind, trees, water Sunlight, wind, trees, water Nonrenewable resources: natural resources that are not replaced as they are used Nonrenewable resources: natural resources that are not replaced as they are used Fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas Fossil fuels: coal, oil, natural gas

Types of Environmental Issues Population Growth Population Growth With new and improved medicines, agriculture and sanitation, people are living longer. With new and improved medicines, agriculture and sanitation, people are living longer. More people need more resources More people need more resources Pollution Pollution Any change to the environment that has a negative effect on living things Any change to the environment that has a negative effect on living things Usually results from an activity that benefits humans Usually results from an activity that benefits humans

Environmental Science Study of the natural processes that occur in the environment and how humans can affect them. Study of the natural processes that occur in the environment and how humans can affect them. Making environmental decisions, people need to consider all the different points of view. Making environmental decisions, people need to consider all the different points of view. Remember that each decision is part of a bigger view Remember that each decision is part of a bigger view If everyone were to take your point of view, what would happen in the world? If everyone were to take your point of view, what would happen in the world?

Environmental Viewpoints Developmental Viewpoint: Developmental Viewpoint: Humans should be able to freely use and benefit from Earth’s resources Humans should be able to freely use and benefit from Earth’s resources Refers to environment in economic terms Refers to environment in economic terms How much money can we make from this? How much money can we make from this? How many jobs can be made if we do this? How many jobs can be made if we do this? How many businesses will be affected by this decision? How many businesses will be affected by this decision?

Environmental Viewpoints Preservation: Preservation: All parts of the environment all equally important All parts of the environment all equally important Humans are caretakers of the environment Humans are caretakers of the environment Earth should be a source of beauty, comfort and recreation Earth should be a source of beauty, comfort and recreation Ecosystems should be left alone Ecosystems should be left alone

Environmental Viewpoints Conservation: Conservation: People should use resources as long as they do not destroy those resources People should use resources as long as they do not destroy those resources Balance of preservation and development Balance of preservation and development Manage resources for the future Manage resources for the future

Weighing Costs and Benefits Lawmakers must consider all viewpoints and needs of the people Lawmakers must consider all viewpoints and needs of the people Short-term costs may outweigh the long- term benefits – not good Short-term costs may outweigh the long- term benefits – not good Long-term benefits may outweigh the short-term costs – good Long-term benefits may outweigh the short-term costs – good Consider drilling for oil in Antarctica Consider drilling for oil in Antarctica What the costs and benefits? What the costs and benefits?

Drilling for oil in Antarctica Costs: Costs: Very expensive set up drilling equipment Very expensive set up drilling equipment Transportation of oil is costly Transportation of oil is costly Oil spill would harm wildlife Oil spill would harm wildlife Benefits: Benefits: New supply would drop consumer costs New supply would drop consumer costs Create new jobs Create new jobs Could study Antarctic ecosystems while there Could study Antarctic ecosystems while there

Homework Sticky Notes Ch. 3 Key Terms Ch. 3 Due: Nov. 22