1. 1 Introduction to the History of Environmental Science Text: Chapter 2 pgs. 22-27

2. 2 Environmental Science Cont’d Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field. Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary field. Includes concepts and ideas from several different branches of science Includes concepts and ideas from several different branches of science

3. Environmental Science How can we define environmental science? How can we define environmental science? An interdisciplinary science which investigates issues caused by humans using the natural world (our environment). It tries to identify and then find remedies for harmful problems. An interdisciplinary science which investigates issues caused by humans using the natural world (our environment). It tries to identify and then find remedies for harmful problems. How humans interact with nature How humans interact with nature

4. Environmental Science What are some of the important areas of study associated with environmental science? What are some of the important areas of study associated with environmental science? Biology Biology Ecology Ecology Chemistry Chemistry Earth science Earth science Political science Political science Economics Economics Ethics and philosophy Ethics and philosophy

5. 5 Environment What is the Environment? What is the Environment? Conditions that surround living organisms including climate, soil, and other organisms. Conditions that surround living organisms including climate, soil, and other organisms.

6. Major Concerns of Environmental Science Human population: underlying most of the environmental issues of today Human population: underlying most of the environmental issues of today Sustainability: continued availability of resources (future generations or economy?) Sustainability: continued availability of resources (future generations or economy?) Global perspective: planetary environment, not only local or regional effects, we are in a large-scale planetary experiment Global perspective: planetary environment, not only local or regional effects, we are in a large-scale planetary experiment Urban world: increasing problems due to neglect, also considered an ecological community Urban world: increasing problems due to neglect, also considered an ecological community Values, knowledge, social justice: understanding our values and identifying those which are socially just Values, knowledge, social justice: understanding our values and identifying those which are socially just

7. Spaceship Earth 7

8. 8 At one point Earth was an Open System At one point Earth was an Open System Both matter and energy was cycled between earth and the external environment. Both matter and energy was cycled between earth and the external environment. Earth is a Closed System Earth is a Closed System All mater is cycled within the biosphere All mater is cycled within the biosphere The only thing that enters or leaves the Earth in large quantities is HEAT (energy). The only thing that enters or leaves the Earth in large quantities is HEAT (energy). Problems with Closed Systems Problems with Closed Systems Resources are limited, but the population continues to increase Resources are limited, but the population continues to increase Wastes do not go away Wastes do not go away

9. 9 Major Environmental Problems Resource Depletion Resource Depletion Resources can be renewable (water) or nonrenewable (oil) Resources can be renewable (water) or nonrenewable (oil) The supply of fossil fuels and metals will eventually run out. The supply of fossil fuels and metals will eventually run out. Pollution Pollution Undesired change in air, water, or soil that affects the health of living things. Undesired change in air, water, or soil that affects the health of living things.

10. 10 Major Environmental Problems Loss of Biodiversity Loss of Biodiversity The number and variety of species is decreasing. The number and variety of species is decreasing. Extinction – Natural or man-made? Extinction – Natural or man-made? The Tasmanian tiger may be the only mammal to become extinct in the past 200 years on the island of Tasmania. During the same period of time, on nearby Australia, as much as 50 percent of all mammals became extinct.

11. 4 Main Cultural Changes and the Environment Hunters-Gatherers Hunters-Gatherers Agricultural revolution Agricultural revolution Industrial revolution Industrial revolution Information and globalization revolution Information and globalization revolution

12. 12 Hunters-Gatherers Hunter-Gatherers (10,000 B.C.) Hunter-Gatherers (10,000 B.C.) Obtain food by collecting plants and hunting wild animals. Obtain food by collecting plants and hunting wild animals. How did they affect the environment? How did they affect the environment? Hunted and killed animals Hunted and killed animals Picked up and spread plants/seeds to new areas. Picked up and spread plants/seeds to new areas.

13. Hunters-Gatherers Most of human existence Most of human existence Collect edible plants, fish, hunt Collect edible plants, fish, hunt Lived in small bands Lived in small bands Worked together to survive Worked together to survive Nomadic Nomadic Population grew slowly Population grew slowly Small environmental impact Small environmental impact

14. Hunters-Gatherers The indigenous people of South Africa are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe. These people were traditionally hunters and gathers. The indigenous people of South Africa are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe. These people were traditionally hunters and gathers. They were recently switched to farming due to government mandated modernization. They were recently switched to farming due to government mandated modernization.

15. 15 Agricultural Revolution Agricultural Revolution (6000-7000 B.C.) Agricultural Revolution (6000-7000 B.C.) Humans first developed the process of breeding, growing, and harvesting plants for food. Humans first developed the process of breeding, growing, and harvesting plants for food. How did this affect the environment? How did this affect the environment? Human population grew quickly Human population grew quickly Natural habitats (grasslands, rainforests) replaced by farmland and villages. Natural habitats (grasslands, rainforests) replaced by farmland and villages. New breeds of animals and plants were created. New breeds of animals and plants were created.

16. Agricultural Revolution Hunters and Gathers  settled, agricultural communities Hunters and Gathers  settled, agricultural communities Plant cultivation developed Plant cultivation developed Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Sustainable Sustainable Little impact on the environment-no machinery Little impact on the environment-no machinery

17. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY The ability to allow the environment to function indefinitely without going into a decline from the stresses imposed by human society on natural recourses. The ability to allow the environment to function indefinitely without going into a decline from the stresses imposed by human society on natural recourses.

18. Spaceship Earth 18

19. 3 Harvesting for 2 to 5 years 1 Clearing and burning vegetation 2 Planting 4 Allowing to revegetate 10 to 30 years

20. 20 Industrial Revolution Industrial Revolution (1700s Europe 1800s US) Industrial Revolution (1700s Europe 1800s US) Shift in the source of energy to fossil fuels Shift in the source of energy to fossil fuels How did this affect the environment? How did this affect the environment? Increased the efficiency of farming Increased the efficiency of farming Increased the size of cities Increased the size of cities Introduced plastics, pesticides, fertilizers and air pollution. Introduced plastics, pesticides, fertilizers and air pollution.

21. Industrial Revolution Cultural shifts Cultural shifts Renewable (can be replenished with time)  nonrenewable (can not be replenished with time) Renewable (can be replenished with time)  nonrenewable (can not be replenished with time) Localized goods  large scale, machine made Localized goods  large scale, machine made Rural  Urban Rural  Urban Increased crop yields/acre w/ farm machinery Increased crop yields/acre w/ farm machinery Population ↑ sharply Population ↑ sharply Environmental impact ↑ Environmental impact ↑ More goods, More people, More problems More goods, More people, More problems

22. Environmental History of the US 4 Eras The environmental history of the US can be divided into 4 eras: The environmental history of the US can be divided into 4 eras: Tribal Tribal Frontier Frontier Early conservation Early conservation Modern Envrionmentalism Modern Envrionmentalism

23. Environmental History of the US Tribal Era Native Americans Native Americans 10,000 years before European settlement 10,000 years before European settlement Hunters and Gatherers Hunters and Gatherers Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Slash and burn/shifting cultivation Small population Small population Low environmental impact Low environmental impact

24. Environmental History of the US Frontier Era Early 1600’s—European settlement Early 1600’s—European settlement Frontier environmental worldview—vast and inexhaustible resources Frontier environmental worldview—vast and inexhaustible resources Tribes and land conquered Tribes and land conquered Public  private land Public  private land Government declared frontier officially closed in 1890 Government declared frontier officially closed in 1890

25. John James Audubon (1785-1851) John James Audubon (1785-1851) Painted lifelike portraits of animals in Painted lifelike portraits of animals in natural surroundings Increased widespread public interest Increased widespread public interest in wildlife.

26. Henry David Thoreau (1817 –1862) and other writers addressed these issues but not taken seriously Urged part of unspoiled wilderness be protected as legacy to future generations Henry David Thoreau (1817 –1862) and other writers addressed these issues but not taken seriously Urged part of unspoiled wilderness be protected as legacy to future generations He wrote on how people could simplify their lives to live in harmony with the natural work. He wrote on how people could simplify their lives to live in harmony with the natural work. "Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” - Thoreau "Most of the luxuries and many of the so-called comforts of life are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.” - Thoreau

27. George Perkins Marsh (1801 –1882), is considered by some to be America's first environmentalist. George Perkins Marsh (1801 –1882), is considered by some to be America's first environmentalist. Wrote the book Man vs. Nature Wrote the book Man vs. Nature First to suggest that humans are an agent affecting global environmental change. First to suggest that humans are an agent affecting global environmental change. Marsh argued deforestation leads to eroded soils that led to decreased soil productivity. Marsh argued deforestation leads to eroded soils that led to decreased soil productivity. Man vs. Nature helped increase awareness of the need for conservation. Man vs. Nature helped increase awareness of the need for conservation.

28. Deforestation

29. Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle about the life of the immigrant in the United States. And unintentionally exposed the corruption of the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century. Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle about the life of the immigrant in the United States. And unintentionally exposed the corruption of the American meatpacking industry during the early 20th century. It exposed the corruption on the side of big industry, and major neglect in treatment of food for the exchange of a cheaper product. It exposed the corruption on the side of big industry, and major neglect in treatment of food for the exchange of a cheaper product.

30. Environmental History of the US Early Conservation 1870-1930 ↑ citizens interest in resource conservation ↑ citizens interest in resource conservation ↑ role of government ↑ role of government 1891-Forest Reserve Act established federal government as responsible for protecting public lands 1891-Forest Reserve Act established federal government as responsible for protecting public lands 1892-John Muir founded Sierra Club and led preservationist movement 1892-John Muir founded Sierra Club and led preservationist movement 1872-Yellowstone National Park 1872-Yellowstone National Park 1890-Yosemite National Park 1890-Yosemite National Park

31. Theodore Roosevelt (1858- 1919) Theodore Roosevelt (1858- 1919) 26 th President of the United States (1901-1909) 26 th President of the United States (1901-1909) Used his position to pave the way for environmentalists of the future. Used his position to pave the way for environmentalists of the future. He set aside land for national forests, established wildlife refuges, and advocated protection of natural resources He set aside land for national forests, established wildlife refuges, and advocated protection of natural resources Appointed Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) the first head of US Forest Service. Appointed Gifford Pinchot (1865-1946) the first head of US Forest Service. Utilitarian Conservationists: Conserve when it is of use to the people – provides jobs Utilitarian Conservationists: Conserve when it is of use to the people – provides jobs

32. During His Presidency Established wildlife reserves and tripled size of national reserve Established wildlife reserves and tripled size of national reserve President given power to designate public land as federal wildlife reserves President given power to designate public land as federal wildlife reserves 1905-US Forest Service 1905-US Forest Service 1906-Antiquities Act President can protect areas on federal lands as national monuments (Grand Canyon) 1906-Antiquities Act President can protect areas on federal lands as national monuments (Grand Canyon) “Golden Age of Conservation” “Golden Age of Conservation”

33. Environmental Ethics Environmental ethics is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment. Environmental ethics is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings to, and also the value and moral status of, the environment. Environmental change within democracies involves voicing opinions through elected officials, legislation, budgeting, and lobbying by special interest groups. 33

34. 34 Types of Environmental Ethics Five Distinct Stages: Five Distinct Stages: Anthropocentric Anthropocentric Pragmatic Resource Conservation Pragmatic Resource Conservation Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation Modern Environmentalism Modern Environmentalism Global Environmental Citizenship Global Environmental Citizenship

35. Case Study: Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite San Francisco in 1903 is experiencing severe water shortages due to a rapidly increasing population. San Francisco in 1903 is experiencing severe water shortages due to a rapidly increasing population. The Tolumne river runs through nearby Hetch Hetchy valley. The Tolumne river runs through nearby Hetch Hetchy valley. Proposal: Dam the river, create a reservoir for water supplies and hydroelectric power. Proposal: Dam the river, create a reservoir for water supplies and hydroelectric power. Problem: The valley lies within Yosemite National Park; public land. Problem: The valley lies within Yosemite National Park; public land. 35

36. Hetch Hetchy Valley 36

37. Tolumne River, California 37

38. Build the Dam! The nearby people need water, and there are no other practical sources. The nearby people need water, and there are no other practical sources. The dam will produce pollution-free renewable electricity. The dam will produce pollution-free renewable electricity. The valley will be even more beautiful with a lake. The valley will be even more beautiful with a lake. 38

39. Preserve the Valley! Hetch Hetchy is on a national park. Hetch Hetchy is on a national park. The natural ecosystem will be flooded and destroyed. The natural ecosystem will be flooded and destroyed. The picturesque beauty of the valley will be ruined. The picturesque beauty of the valley will be ruined. 39

40. 40 Anthropocentrism Literally means “human-centered” Literally means “human-centered” The protection or promotion of human interests or well-being at the expense of all other factors. The protection or promotion of human interests or well-being at the expense of all other factors.

41. 41 Pragmatic Resource Conservation Advocated by President Theodore Roosevelt. Advocated by President Theodore Roosevelt. The environment should The environment should be used in a planned way to benefit everyone. Should be used for “the greatest good for the greatest number, for the longest time.” Should be used for “the greatest good for the greatest number, for the longest time.”

42. 42 Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation Advocated by John Muir, first president of the Sierra Club. Advocated by John Muir, first president of the Sierra Club. Nature deserves to exist for its own sake regardless of degree of usefulness to humans. Nature deserves to exist for its own sake regardless of degree of usefulness to humans.

43. So…What Happened? 43

44. Pragmatic Resource Conservation Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) 1933-Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) 1933-Civil Conservation Corp (CCC) 2 million people employed 2 million people employed Restore degraded environment, built dams, etc. Restore degraded environment, built dams, etc.

45. 45 Global Environmentalism Increased travel and communication enables people to know about daily events in places unknown in previous generations. Increased travel and communication enables people to know about daily events in places unknown in previous generations. Issues and problems are explored on a global scale instead of a local one. Issues and problems are explored on a global scale instead of a local one.

46. 46 Modern Environmentalism Rachel Carson wrote a book entitled Silent Spring about the effects of pesticides on birds. Rachel Carson wrote a book entitled Silent Spring about the effects of pesticides on birds. Awakened the public to threats of pollution and toxic chemicals to humans as well as other species. Awakened the public to threats of pollution and toxic chemicals to humans as well as other species.

47. Aldo Leopold Aldo Leopold was an American author, scientist, environmentalist. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin and is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac(1949) Aldo Leopold was an American author, scientist, environmentalist. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin and is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac(1949) Focused on environmental ethics and in the movement for wilderness conservation. Focused on environmental ethics and in the movement for wilderness conservation.

48. Aldo Leopold "This sounds simple: do we not already sing our love for and obligation to the land of the free and the home of the brave? Yes, but just what and whom do we love? Certainly not the soil, which we are sending helter- skelter down river. Certainly not the waters, which we assume have no function except to turn turbines, float barges, and carry off sewage. Certainly not the plants, of which we exterminate whole communities without batting an eye. Certainly not the animals, of which we have already extirpated many of the largest and most beautiful species. A land ethic of course cannot prevent the alteration, management, and use of these ‘resources,’ but it does affirm their right to continued existence, and, at least in spots, their continued existence in a natural state. In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow- members, and also respect for the community as such." "This sounds simple: do we not already sing our love for and obligation to the land of the free and the home of the brave? Yes, but just what and whom do we love? Certainly not the soil, which we are sending helter- skelter down river. Certainly not the waters, which we assume have no function except to turn turbines, float barges, and carry off sewage. Certainly not the plants, of which we exterminate whole communities without batting an eye. Certainly not the animals, of which we have already extirpated many of the largest and most beautiful species. A land ethic of course cannot prevent the alteration, management, and use of these ‘resources,’ but it does affirm their right to continued existence, and, at least in spots, their continued existence in a natural state. In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it. It implies respect for his fellow- members, and also respect for the community as such."

50. Environmental Decade Nixon Nixon 1970-EPA established 1970-EPA established 1973-Endagered Species Act 1973-Endagered Species Act 1978-Bureau of Land Management started to manage public lands through Federal Land Policy and Management Act 1978-Bureau of Land Management started to manage public lands through Federal Land Policy and Management Act “Sagebrush Rebellion” – Public vs. Private Land (We will come back to this) “Sagebrush Rebellion” – Public vs. Private Land (We will come back to this)

51. Environmental Decade Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter 1977-Department of Energy (DOE) 1977-Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce dependence on foreign oil to reduce dependence on foreign oil 1977-Clean Water Act 1977-Clean Water Act 1980-Superfund created in response to Love Canal to clean up abandoned hazardous waste 1980-Superfund created in response to Love Canal to clean up abandoned hazardous waste Tripled land in National Wilderness system and doubled land in the National Park System Tripled land in National Wilderness system and doubled land in the National Park System

52. Anti-Environmental Movement Anti-environmental movement formed Anti-environmental movement formed to weaken laws of 60’s and 70’s to weaken laws of 60’s and 70’s Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Increased private energy, mineral Increased private energy, mineral development and timber cutting development and timber cutting Funding for environmental resources cut Funding for environmental resources cut The “wise use” movement formed to weaken government over environmental issues The “wise use” movement formed to weaken government over environmental issues

53. Clinton protected more public lands as national monuments than any other Pres. Clinton protected more public lands as national monuments than any other Pres. 1997-Kyoto Japan 161 nations 1997-Kyoto Japan 161 nations met to negotiate a treaty to decrease emissions and slow global warming met to negotiate a treaty to decrease emissions and slow global warming Environmentalists countering claims global warming and ozone depletion are hoaxes Environmentalists countering claims global warming and ozone depletion are hoaxes

54. George W Bush George W Bush Withdrew US totally from Kyoto treaty Withdrew US totally from Kyoto treaty

55. What is next?

56. Timeline Activity Your timeline should include: Your timeline should include: Key dates/events that documents the growth and development of environmental awareness. Key dates/events that documents the growth and development of environmental awareness. A picture/symbol that represents that date/event. A picture/symbol that represents that date/event. A sentence describing why that date/event was important. A sentence describing why that date/event was important. Then at the end of the timeline make a prediction…..What do you think will happen next? Then at the end of the timeline make a prediction…..What do you think will happen next?