1. Bellringer
What do you think the study of Environmental Science is about – what is studied and for what purpose?

2. Test your Environmental IQ
30 pts Magnificent – Your blood runs green!
You can teach the class!
24 – 27 pts You are a Good Steward with High
levels of Awareness!
18 – 21 pts You are a Young Sapling with a
growing level of Awareness!
12 – 15 pts You need to get out more and
raise your Awareness!
0 – 5 pts Are you living in a landfill?

3. Learning Targets:. Describe the purpose, methods and goals of Env
Learning Targets: *Describe the purpose, methods and goals of Env. Science *Compare and Contrast Env. Science and Environmentalism *Define the 4 principles behind Environmental Sustainability

4. The Study of Environmental Science

5. What Is Environmental Science?
The study of our planet’s natural systems and how humans and the environment affect one another
Understanding the interactions between humans and the environment is the first step to solving environmental problems.
National Marine Fisheries Service scientists studying whether commercial boats are harming endangered killer whales

6. Environmental Science studies how
the natural world works
our environment affects us
we affect our environment

7. Interactions between humans and the environment can take many forms

8. Interactions between humans and the environment can take many forms

9. Humans have a significant impact on the Earth and its resources

10. Env. Science is an Applied Science
Information is used to identify and solve/manage problems that arise from the interactions of humans and the environment

11. Env. Science uses an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving
Addresses complex problems requires input from multiple fields of study.

12. Fields that contribute to Env. Science
Ecology – the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their environment. Foundation of Env. Science
Economics – study of market economies
Sociology – the manner in which people behave, their cultural values and beliefs
Ethics – study of what is right and wrong
Politics – making and enforcing laws

13. Science doesn’t operate in a vacuum Addressing complex problems requires drawing on many different disciplines and, often, conflicting viewpoints
Politics ECONOMICS environmental science Poverty Unfair trade lack of education Soil Science climatology

14. A community decides to use local coal for electricity, as it is the cheapest source available and provides local folk with jobs. (Economics)
The coal must be mined from under the soil. (Geology)
The coal must be transported to the population center by road or rail. (Engineering)
When it is burned at a power plant, air pollution is released. Some of that pollution is converted to acid in the atmosphere. (Chemistry)
This falls as acid rain somewhere downwind. (Meteorology)
The acid stresses plants by affecting their nutrient absorption. (Ecology)
Laws are passed requiring the plant to install pollution scrubbers. (Politics)

15. Sustainability is the Goal of E.S.
Sustainability – condition in which human needs are met in such a way that the human population can survive indefinitely.
  Healthy ecosystems and environments are necessary to the physical, economic and emotional well being of humans and other organisms.

16. Sustainability Economics, Politics and Culture.
To achieve sustainability there must be  sustainable development within the four interconnected areas:
Ecology,
Economics,
Politics and
Culture.

17. Studying Nature Reveals Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability
Reliance on solar energy
Maintaining high levels of Biodiversity
Population control
Nutrient cycling

18. Four Ecological Principles of Sustainability

19. Solutions For Environmental Sustainability

20. Sustainability Stewardship
Achieved through building
Awareness Appreciation Activism

21. Achieving Sustainability
Requires the coordinated efforts of many stakeholders which hold different values and perspectives on the environment, economics, politics and societal wants and needs (places to live, recreate)

22. Steps Involved in Making an Environmental Decision

23. Environmental Science field developed in response to the Environmental Movement Events of the mid- 1950’s raised the public’s awareness of environmental problems that threatened humans and other species
Cuyahoga River Fire
1952
Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
1962

24. Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism
Scientific field of study
based on sound science principles
Relies on unbiased, objective perspective.
Dr. Bryan Brook

25. Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism
Social movement
May or may not be based on sound science
Sometimes based more on ignorance (lack of knowledge), misinformation and pure emotionalism.

26. Chipko movement 1970’s
tree – hugger
An environmentalist or one who believes trees and all living things should not be cut down or harmed. Someone who works to protect the environment from destruction or pollution. Often used derogatively - someone who is regarded as foolish or annoying because of their concern about protecting trees, animals, and other parts of the natural world from pollution and other threats
Chipko movement in 1970’s India

27. The Fate of Easter Island Can what happened on one South Pacific island serve as a cautionary tale for the planet as a whole?