1. Environmental Issues, Their Causes, and Sustainability

2. Environment and Ecology The environment is everything that affects a living organism. The environment is everything that affects a living organism. Ecology is a biological science that studies the relationship between living organisms and their environment. Ecology is a biological science that studies the relationship between living organisms and their environment.

3. What is Environmental Science? Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study that uses concepts and information from natural sciences (ecology, biology, chemistry, geology) and social sciences (economics, politics, ethics) to help understand: Environmental science is the interdisciplinary study that uses concepts and information from natural sciences (ecology, biology, chemistry, geology) and social sciences (economics, politics, ethics) to help understand: How the earth works How the earth works How we are affecting the environment How we are affecting the environment How to deal with environmental problems How to deal with environmental problems

4. Environmental Science Environmental science involves Environmental science involves Human numbers (population) Human numbers (population) Natural resources Natural resources Environmental pollution Environmental pollution

5. Environmental Sustainability An environmentally sustainable society is one that satisfies the needs of its people for food, clean water, clean air, and shelter into the indefinite future WITHOUT depleting or degrading the earth’s natural resources. An environmentally sustainable society is one that satisfies the needs of its people for food, clean water, clean air, and shelter into the indefinite future WITHOUT depleting or degrading the earth’s natural resources. Some environmentalists believe we are functioning in a sustainable way … others do not. Some environmentalists believe we are functioning in a sustainable way … others do not.

6. Are we as humans operating in a sustainable way? You be the judge … We are using nonrenewable resources (like fossil fuels) as if they were unlimited. We are using nonrenewable resources (like fossil fuels) as if they were unlimited. We use renewable resources (like water) faster than they can be replenished. We use renewable resources (like water) faster than they can be replenished. We pollute with toxins as though the environment can absorb them. We pollute with toxins as though the environment can absorb them. Our population continues to grow. Our population continues to grow.

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8. Human Population Growth The human population is growing exponentially. Why? Drop in death rates due to more food and better medical care Doubling Time is the amount of time it takes for a population to double. To calculate doubling time: 70/(percent growth rate) Example: In 2002, pop grew by 1.28%. 70/1.28 = 54.7, therefore in 55 years, the population of the earth will double. Fig. 1-2 p. 4

9. Good news, bad news? Good news: Good news: Population growth has slowed down since the 1960s. Population growth has slowed down since the 1960s. Bad news: Bad news: The world’s population is growing exponentially and is projected to reach 14 billion by the end of this century. The world’s population is growing exponentially and is projected to reach 14 billion by the end of this century.

10. Fig. 1-1 p. 2 World Population

11. Ecological Footprint The ecological footprint is the amount of land needed to produce the resources needed by an average person in a country. The ecological footprint is the amount of land needed to produce the resources needed by an average person in a country.

12. What is your ecological footprint?

13. Ecological Footprint Fig. 1-8 p. 10 1 hectare = 2.47 acres

14. Resources Any part of the natural environment that is used to promote the welfare of people or other species. Some resources are directly available for use (solar energy, air, wind, soil, surface freshwater, etc), others become useful only with some effort (oil, iron, groundwater). Any part of the natural environment that is used to promote the welfare of people or other species. Some resources are directly available for use (solar energy, air, wind, soil, surface freshwater, etc), others become useful only with some effort (oil, iron, groundwater).

15. Conservation Conservation is careful management of natural resources. It has been practiced in one form or another for thousands of years. Conservation is careful management of natural resources. It has been practiced in one form or another for thousands of years.

16. Resources Perpetual – renewed continuously Perpetual – renewed continuously Renewable – can be replenished fairly rapidly (hours to decades) Renewable – can be replenished fairly rapidly (hours to decades) Non-renewable – exist in a fixed quantity or stock in the earth’s crust Non-renewable – exist in a fixed quantity or stock in the earth’s crust

17. Renewable Resources Sustainable Yield: the maximum amount of the resource that can be used without depleting the resource in the longer term. Sustainable Yield: the maximum amount of the resource that can be used without depleting the resource in the longer term. Environmental Degradation: process that occurs when a resource is used at a rate greater than its natural replacement rate. Environmental Degradation: process that occurs when a resource is used at a rate greater than its natural replacement rate. Major cause of Environmental degradation is THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS Major cause of Environmental degradation is THE TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS

18. What is The Tragedy of the Commons? In 1968, biologist Garrett Hardin called the degradation of renewable free-access resources the tragedy of the commons. It happens because each user reasons, “If I do not use this resource, someone else will. The little bit I use or pollute is not enough to matter, and such resources are renewable.” With only a few users this logic works. However the cumulative effect of many people trying to exploit a free access resource eventually exhausts or ruins it. Then no one can benefit from it and therein lies the tragedy.

19. Non-Renewable Resources Energy resources – coal, oil, natural gas Energy resources – coal, oil, natural gas Metallic resources – Fe, Cu, Al (can be recycled) Metallic resources – Fe, Cu, Al (can be recycled) Non-metallic resources – salt, clay, sand,phosphates (difficult and costly to recycle) Non-metallic resources – salt, clay, sand,phosphates (difficult and costly to recycle)

20. Non-Renewable Resources We never completely exhaust a nonrenewable mineral resource however such a resource becomes economically depleted when the cost of extracting and using what is left exceeds its economic value. Non renewable resources cannot be recycled, … they only leave behind waste and pollution.

21. What choices do we have to save our resources? Try to find more resources Try to find more resources Reuse – using a resource over and over in the same form (glass bottles that you refill) Reuse – using a resource over and over in the same form (glass bottles that you refill) Recycle – collecting and reprocessing a resource into new products (glass bottles are crushed, melted, and made into new glass bottles) Recycle – collecting and reprocessing a resource into new products (glass bottles are crushed, melted, and made into new glass bottles) Waste less Waste less Use less Use less Develop a substitute Develop a substitute Wait millions of years for more to be produced Wait millions of years for more to be produced

22. Recycling Recycling takes less energy, water, and other resources and produces less pollution and environmental degradation than exploiting virgin resources.

23. Three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

24. What is Pollution? Any alteration of air, water, soil, or food that harms the health, survival, or activities of humans and other organisms. Any alteration of air, water, soil, or food that harms the health, survival, or activities of humans and other organisms. Pollutants can enter the environment naturally or as a result of anthropogenic (human) activities. Pollutants can enter the environment naturally or as a result of anthropogenic (human) activities. Sources of Pollution: Point Sources: a single identifiable source (ex. Smokestack, exhaust pipe) Point Sources: a single identifiable source (ex. Smokestack, exhaust pipe) Nonpoint Sources: dispersed (hard to identify) sources (fertilizer runoff from farms or lawns, pesticides sprayed into the air). Nonpoint Sources: dispersed (hard to identify) sources (fertilizer runoff from farms or lawns, pesticides sprayed into the air). Much harder to control and clean up. Much harder to control and clean up.

25. Air Pollution Global climate change Stratospheric ozone depletion Urban air pollution Acid deposition Outdoor pollutants Indoor pollutants Noise Biodiversity Depletion Habitat destruction Habitat degradation Extinction Water Pollution Sediment Nutrient overload Toxic chemicals Infectious agents Oxygen depletion Pesticides Oil spills Excess heat Waste Production Solid waste Hazardous waste Food Supply Problems Overgrazing Farmland loss and degradation Wetlands loss and degradation Over fishing Coastal pollution Soil erosion Soil salinization Soil waterlogging Water shortages Groundwater depletion Loss of biodiversity Poor nutrition Major Environmental Problems

26. What type of harm do pollutants cause? Disruption of life support systems for humans and other species. Disruption of life support systems for humans and other species. Damage to wildlife, human health, and property Damage to wildlife, human health, and property Nuisances such as noise, unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights. Nuisances such as noise, unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights.

27. Dealing With Pollution Prevention (Input Control) Prevention (Input Control) More expensive in the short term. More expensive in the short term. Less expensive in the long term Less expensive in the long term Over all it is cheaper and cleaner to prevent pollution. Over all it is cheaper and cleaner to prevent pollution. Cleanup (Output Control) Cleanup (Output Control) Less expensive in the short term. Less expensive in the short term. More expensive in the long term. More expensive in the long term. Overall it is more expensive and you are often left with a pollutant that must be put someplace. Overall it is more expensive and you are often left with a pollutant that must be put someplace.

28. Five Basic Causes of Pollution

29. Environmental Impact Fig. 1-11 p. 13

30. How can we reduce our environmental impact? Slow population growth Slow population growth Decrease resource use and waste (use resources more efficiently) Decrease resource use and waste (use resources more efficiently) Increase use of environmentally beneficial technologies Increase use of environmentally beneficial technologies Phase out environmentally harmful technologies Phase out environmentally harmful technologies

31. Environmental Interactions Fig. 1-12 p. 14

32. Are things getting better or worse? Experts disagree about … Experts disagree about … How serious our population and environmental problems are How serious our population and environmental problems are What we should do about them What we should do about them These conflicts over how serious our problems are result from differing environmental worldviews…

33. Environmental Worldviews Planetary Management: Planetary Management: Humans are the most important species and should manage the planet to their own benefit Humans are the most important species and should manage the planet to their own benefit Resources are limitless and are there for us to use. (“There is always more.”) Resources are limitless and are there for us to use. (“There is always more.”) All economic growth is good and the possibilities for growth are endless. All economic growth is good and the possibilities for growth are endless. Human success depends on how well we can manage Earth’s systems. Human success depends on how well we can manage Earth’s systems. Environmental Wisdom: Environmental Wisdom: Nature exists for all species … not just for us. Nature exists for all species … not just for us. Resources are not unlimited and they are not just for human use. They should not be wasted! Resources are not unlimited and they are not just for human use. They should not be wasted! Some economic growth is good, but some is harmful (the key is to encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth and discourage earth-degrading forms. Some economic growth is good, but some is harmful (the key is to encourage earth-sustaining forms of economic growth and discourage earth-degrading forms. Our success depends on learning to cooperate with each other and nature. Our success depends on learning to cooperate with each other and nature.

34. Warning from Scientists … On November 18, 1992, some of the world’s senior scientists from 70 countries signed and sent an urgent warning to government leaders of all nations. On November 18, 1992, some of the world’s senior scientists from 70 countries signed and sent an urgent warning to government leaders of all nations. “Our massive tampering with the world’s interdependent web of life – coupled with the environmental damage inflicted by deforestation, species loss, and climate change – could trigger widespread adverse effects, including unpredictable collapses of critical biological systems whose interactions and dynamics we only imperfectly understand…No more than one or a few decades remain before the chance to avert the threats we now confront will be lost and the prospects for humanity immeasurably diminished.”

35. Are things getting better or worse? The best answer to this is … BOTH Some things are getting better, some things are getting worse. What can you do to make things better?

36. What is Economic Growth? Economic growth is an increase in a country’s capacity to provide people with goods and services. Economic growth is an increase in a country’s capacity to provide people with goods and services. Economic growth is accomplished by population growth (more consumers and producers), more consumption per person or both. Economic growth is accomplished by population growth (more consumers and producers), more consumption per person or both.

37. Economic Growth Gross National Product (GNP) Gross National Product (GNP) Total value of goods and services produced within and outside a country during a year plus the net income earned abroad by citizens. Total value of goods and services produced within and outside a country during a year plus the net income earned abroad by citizens. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Total value of goods and services produced within a country during a year. Total value of goods and services produced within a country during a year. Gross World Product (GWP) Gross World Product (GWP) Total value of goods and services produced in the world during a year. Total value of goods and services produced in the world during a year. Per Capita GNP Per Capita GNP Annual gross national product of a country divided by its total population. (average “slice of the pie” per person) Annual gross national product of a country divided by its total population. (average “slice of the pie” per person)

38. Environmentally-Sustainable Economic Development Fig. 1-13 p. 17 Decision making in a sustainable society Decision making in a sustainable society SocialEconomic Environmental Sustainable Solutions Traditional decision making Traditional decision making Environmental SocialEconomic

39. Economic Development Economic development is the improvement of living standards by economic growth. The United Nations classified countries as developed or developing based on per capita GNP. Developed Countries (US, Canada, Japan, Australia, NZ, Europe) Developed Countries (US, Canada, Japan, Australia, NZ, Europe) Highly industrialized Highly industrialized High per capita GNP High per capita GNP Developing Countries (most located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America) Developing Countries (most located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America) Low to moderate industrialization Low to moderate industrialization Low per capita GNP Low per capita GNP

40. Costs of Pollution Costs of Pollution are hard to determine because they include damage to property, health of humans, natural beauty, ecosystem health, health of plants and health of animals. Costs of Pollution are hard to determine because they include damage to property, health of humans, natural beauty, ecosystem health, health of plants and health of animals. How do you place a value on damage to natural beauty? How do you place a value on damage to natural beauty? How do you place a value on the extinction of a species? How do you place a value on the extinction of a species?

41. Economic Strategies to Control Pollution Problem: Polluters are not being charged (or charged enough) for polluting. Solution A: Raise the cost of polluting Solution A: Raise the cost of polluting Solution B: Provide economic rewards to environmentally beneficial and sustainable forms of development. Solution B: Provide economic rewards to environmentally beneficial and sustainable forms of development. Solution C: Governmental regulations. Solution C: Governmental regulations.

42. Solution A: Increasing the Cost of Polluting Emission Charge: tax on pollution, sometimes called “green taxes” Emission Charge: tax on pollution, sometimes called “green taxes” Tax leaded gasoline Tax leaded gasoline Sweden taxes active ingredients in pesticides Sweden taxes active ingredients in pesticides ***These are often not effective because the tax is not high enough to change behavior. Waste Discharge Permits: emission reduction credits (ERCs) can be bought and sold by companies. Waste Discharge Permits: emission reduction credits (ERCs) can be bought and sold by companies.

43. Solution B: provide incentives Examples: Examples: Tax breaks for hybrid car owners. Tax breaks for hybrid car owners. Tax breaks for homeowners who are using solar power. Tax breaks for homeowners who are using solar power. Refund when you recycle some bottles and cans. Refund when you recycle some bottles and cans.

44. Solution C: Command and Control Examples Examples Catalytic converters are required in all cars in order to reduce emissions. Catalytic converters are required in all cars in order to reduce emissions. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required a 60% reduction in Nitrogen Oxide emissions from passenger cars by 2003. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 required a 60% reduction in Nitrogen Oxide emissions from passenger cars by 2003.