1. Ecology Course Introduction
Environmental Science and Sustainability

2. In order to cut down on energy consumption and reduce global
Warming which would you prefer: requiring manufacturers to produce
cars that are more energy efficient or imposing an increased federal tax
On gasoline?
There are solutions to most of the World’s Environmental Problems

4. Critical Shortages of Natural Gas in Eastern Massachusetts

5. Humans exhibit contradictory positions: the desire for inexpensive and abundant sources of energy coupled with an unwillingness to accept impacts that affect them.

6. There are answers to many of the environmental issues facing us, however there is never a perfect solution:
EarthFirst! and wind power: the clearing of the forest is an unacceptable impact of the construction of ridge line turbines

7. Systems and Models A model describes and simplifies a system
Models must be testable – example of temperature change
In science, models must start simple and grow more complex
Complex behaviors can appear with simple rules and inputs
Discussion of NetLogo Climate change model
Definition of variables: things that can be measured
Clear demonstration of interactions
Allows for the development of hypotheses
Introduction to feedback loops

8. Does human population growth inevitably lead to catastrophic environmental degradation?
LDC v MDC’s
Critical importance of the gap between rich and poor
Consumption and the definition of renewable
Ecological footprints and the IPAT model
The Politics of Sustainable Development

9. Sustainability
Different Types of Resources: Renewable vs. Non-Renewable
Critical Importance of the Definition: does it allow for consumption that depletes over a long period of time without significant environmental impact
Working definition must include:
Changes over time: will we use coal in the future for electricity
Is the slow depletion of a fishery acceptable
Recognition of the cost of sustainability
Economic value of the resource over time
Discussion of the meaning of rational behavior

10. Sustainability and the Tragedy of the Commons

11. Addressing Environmental Problems
Politics, economics and science
Five steps
Scientific Assessment
Risk Analysis
Public Education and Involvement
Political Action
Long-term Evaluation

12. The Science of the Environment
Ecology
Dynamic Equilibria
Dependence on appropriate application of the scientific method
Critical importance of the development of a model
Observation
Hypothesis Development
Experimental Design
Experiment – Data Collection
Evaluate Experiment, Modify as needed
Data Collection 2
Data Analysis and Hypothesis Testing
Conclusions and Discussion
Definitions:
Variable
Control
Error
Bias

13. Feedback Loops and System Dynamics
Positive and Negative Feedback Loops
Stability and Complexity