1. Our Island, Earth
Chapter 1
Section 1.1

2. What is Environmental Science?
Defined as the study of how humans interact with the environment
Our environment is a complex web of relationships that connects us with the world.
We (as well as other living things) rely on the Earth for everything we need for survival (food, water, shelter) and cannot survive in an unhealthy environment.

3. Goals of Environmental Science
Major goal= to understand and solve environmental problems
Two (2) Main types of interactions studied by scientists:
a. how humans use natural resources like water and plants
b. how human actions alter (change) the environment
Involves many fields of science study

4. Fields of Study
Called an “interdisciplinary” science--- this means it involves many different fields of study
Ecology- study of how living things interact with one another and the nonliving environment
Many sciences contribute to environmental science:
*Biology
*Earth Science
*Physics
*Chemistry
*Social science

5. What’s the Difference?
Environmental Science
Environmentalism
Pursuit of knowledge about the workings of the environment and our interactions with it
Scientists maintain an objective approach and avoid bias (personal preference) whenever possible
Social movement
Based upon bias and preference
Includes organizations like PETA and Greenpeace

7. Population Up, Resources Down
As the human population increases, so does the consumption (usage) of natural resources
Human Population Growth- human population has grown exponentially placing a lot of pressure on the Earth; it’s the cause of many of the other environmental problems
a. Almost 7 billion people on the planet
b. Over 200,000 humans are added per day
Resource Depletion- a resource is any natural material used by an organism

8. What’s the Difference?
Renewable Resource
Nonrenewable Resource
A resource that forms at a much slower rate than the rate at which it is consumed
Examples include coal, oil, and gas
A resource that can be replaced over short periods of time
Examples include water, soil, trees, solar energy

9. “The Tragedy of the Commons”
An essay written by an ecologist named Garrett Hardin
He argued that the main difficulty in solving environmental problems is the conflict between the short-term interests of individuals and the long-term welfare of society
Used the example of the commons- areas of shared land that belonged to a whole village
Point of essay= someone or some group has to take responsibility for maintaining a resource

10. If no one takes responsibility, the resource can be overused and become depleted
Earth’s natural resources are today’s “modern commons”
The needs of the many out weigh the needs of a few.

11. Developed & Developing Countries
The unequal distribution of wealth and resources influences the environmental problems faced by a society.
Developed Nation: a nation that has higher average incomes, slower population growth, diverse industrial economies and stronger social support systems.
Developing Nation: a nation that has lower average incomes, simple & agricultural-based economies, and rapid population growth

12. Developed Countries include USA, Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Scotland, Germany, Japan
Developing Countries include USSR, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Peru, Chile, Argentina
Least Developing Countries include the Sudan, the Congo, Niger and many other parts of Africa

13. Sustainability It is the main goal of environmental science.
Defined as the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely
Currently, developed nations are using resources faster than they can be replaced
If all parts of society (individuals, industry, and government) cooperate, sustainability is achievable.

14. Ecological Footprint
A way to express the differences in consumption between nations
Shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country
Estimates the land used for crops, grazing, forest products, and housing
Estimates water consumption and the ocean area needed to harvest seafood
Also estimates the forest area needed to absorb pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels

16. Our Environment Through Time
Hunter –Gatherers:
a) obtained food by collecting plants and by hunting wild animals or scavenging their remains
b) People moved from place to place (migrated)
c) set fires to burn prairies & prevented the growth of trees.
d) helped spread plants to areas where they did not originally grow

17. Agricultural Revolution:
a) collected the seeds of plants and grew them
b) domesticated animals
c) human population boom
d) forest habitats were destroyed to create farmland

18. Industrial Revolution:
a) involved a shift in energy sources from animal muscle to running water, coal, and oil
b) large scale production of food; quality of life improved
c) urban cities grew and people relocated to them
d) large amounts of pollution as a result
e) habitat destruction continued

19. An Introduction to the Scientific Method
Section 1.2
The Nature of Science
An Introduction to the Scientific Method

20. Science is an organized and methodical way of studying the natural world.
Process of science= Scientific Method
Scientists examine the natural world by collecting evidence (data).
Nothing in science can be absolutely proven no matter how much evidence is collected.

21. There are Six Steps to the Scientific Method.
1. Problem
2. Information
3. Hypothesis
4. Experiment
5. Make Observations/ Collect Data
6. Conclusion

22. 1. Problem a. This is the question that you are
trying to answer or problem that
you are trying to solve.
b. Try to narrow it down and be
very specific.

23. 2. Information Gather data about your question and/or
make observations:
books
magazines
reports
interview experts
your past experiences

24. 3. Hypothesis an educated guess
what you think the answer is based upon your gathered information
an idea tested by experimentation

25. 4. Experiment This is broken into 2 parts: materials and procedure.
Materials is a list of equipment that you will need for the experiment.
Procedure is a list of instructions that you need to follow for the experiment.
Must be a Controlled
Experiment!!!

26. Controlled Experiment
It has to have large numbers of observations
It needs a control group
Can test only one variable at a time
Definitions:
Control group – group that doesn’t get the ind. variable
Experimental group – group that gets the ind. variable

27. What are Variables? A variable is something that changes.
There are three types:
Independent variable –is the variable whose value we know before we start an experiment; a variable we manipulate, or change, on purpose.
Dependent variable – is the outcome of the experiment; it’s often measured.
Controlled variable – a variable that does not change in an experiment; same between both the experimental group and control group.

28. 5. Observations/ Data Collection
Collection of information that was observed and data collected during the experiment.
It may be organized into charts, graphs, or written work.
This is WHAT HAPPENED!!!!! 28

29. 6. Conclusion What did you find out after analyzing your data?
Answer the question
It is OK if it turns out that your hypothesis was not correct. You learned something!!!!!!!!!
Always RETEST your
results!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

30. Report your findings
One of the most important parts of the scientific method is to report your findings to others .
You will help others learn.
You will help to create further questions and research.

31. Everyday Science Information: Spaghetti sauce should be red.
1. Problem: Make a homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Information: Spaghetti sauce should be red.
Hypothesis (prediction): Use a can of tomato sauce (since it’s red).
Experiment: Heat tomato sauce in a pot.
Observe/Collect Data: Taste the sauce - bland.
Conclusion: More things have to be added to the tomato sauce

32. Revise your hypothesis and Retest: Use tomato sauce and now add garlic for flavor!
New experiment: Add garlic- tastes a lot better.
Keep adding ingredients until it tastes right!!!!!
Scientific Theory: Would be “The Final Recipe.”