1. Intro to Environmental Science

2. Environmental Science Interdisciplinary area of study dealing with human impact on the world Has been around since earliest civilizations Renewed interest in the 1970s First “Earth Day” was in 1970

3. What is part of Environmental Science? Ecology Conservation Geography Economics Sociology Political Science

4. Interrelated Nature of Environmental Problems Example: air pollution and acid rain going from U.S. to Canada Companies have to lower emissions ($) OR build plants in other countries where environmental restrictions are not as strict

5. 6 Regions of North America Wilderness North Lots of government owned land Little human influence Issues: Exploitation of resources (mining, oil exploitation, clear cutting) takes a long time for land to heal after human disturbance

6. 6 Regions of North America Agricultural Middle Very few wild areas- lots of private land Government involvement (subsidies, research) # of farmers is decreasing (high risk: drought) Issues: Pollution (water & air), Pesticides, using water for irrigation

7. 6 Regions of North America Dry West Primarily government owned land, provide cheap grazing and irrigation rights Low population density Issues: development or preservation of wild areas, water use for urban areas or irrigation

8. 6 Regions of North America The Forested West Government and large timber industries own big chunks of land Government sold timber cutting rights too cheaply Issues: Preserving wilderness vs. economy

9. 6 Regions of North America The Great Lakes & Industrial Northeast Heavily populated parts of the country Issues: Mining, introduced species (zebra mussels, Japanese knotweed), Chesapeake Bay, urban sprawl

10. 6 Regions of North America Diverse South Mix of all previous regions Issues: Development along the coast (loss of marshes as habitat), Increased population, Oil rigs and refineries (BP), draining Everglades for sugar cane farms

11. Ecosystems Approach to Environmental Issues What is an ecosystem? Tough to define an ecosystem, can be as big or as small as we decide. Ex: Lake Glendale watershed vs. Chesapeake Bay watershed Landscape ecology- large scale entity (the Bay) instead of just an ecosystem (like a pond)

12. Sustainable Development Is there such a thing? If there is, how can it be achieved?

13. Environmental Ethics Ethics- branch of philosophy seeking to fundamentally determine what is wrong and what is right Morals- personal or cultural feelings about ethical issues

14. Environmental Viewpoints 1.Anthropocentric viewpoint- environment exists to benefit ONLY humans 2.Biocentric viewpoint- ALL organisms have a right to exist (gradiations  some species valued higher than others) 3.Ecocentric viewpoint- All living things and environments have rights

15. Environmental Viewpoints Summary Humans are part of nature (not apart from nature) Duty to respect nature, care for Earth, protect biodiversity…looking out for future generations Actions toward environment should be viewed as right or wrong and NOT made strictly on self-interest

16. Environmental Attitudes 1.Development Ethic- (tied to anthropocentric view) Humans are masters of nature Nature is only valuable to extent humans can use it (i.e. to make the most $) Extremely common view (most common view in U.S.)

17. Environmental Attitudes 2. Preservation Ethic- (ecocentric and biocentric views) Take what you need and leave the rest Not profitable Nature’s value is intrinsic All creatures have right to live regardless of $ Natural diversity & complexity superior to humanized domesticity and uniformity

18. Environmental Attitudes 3. Conservation Ethic- (balance b/t first two) Recognizes desirability of a decent living but strives to balance resource use and availability Middle ground between total development and absolute conservation Goal: One global community living together indefinitely