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An Introduction to Environmental Science
1 CHAPTER Placeholder opening page, but maybe we can duplicate the look of the SE chapter opener page by using the same fonts and colors (and maybe that Ch 14 icon?)
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Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth
Like all species on Earth, humans rely on healthy, functioning planet: Air Water Food Shelter
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What Is Environmental Science?
Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth What Is Environmental Science? study of our planet’s natural systems & how humans & environment affect one another Environment includes all living & nonliving things with which organisms interact. Understanding interactions between humans & environment -first step to solving environmental problems. National Marine Fisheries Service scientists studying whether commercial boats are harming endangered killer whales
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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
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Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism
Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism Environmentalism: Social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world Bias- Personal Preference Environmentalists protesting the use of nuclear power
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Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth
Natural Resources materials & energy sources found in nature that humans need to survive. Renewable resources: Naturally replenished over short periods Nonrenewable resources: Naturally formed more slowly than we use them. Renewable resources can become nonrenewable if used faster than they are replenished.
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Human Population Growth
Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth Human Population Growth • Tremendous & rapid human population growth can be attributed to: • Agricultural Revolution • Industrial Revolution Image - (Creative Commons licensed) Geyser info source - National Park Service: Did You Know? The human population increases by about 200,000 people every day.
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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
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Agricultural Revolution:
About 10,000 years ago; humans began living in villages, had longer life spans, and more surviving children. 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
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Industrial Revolution:
Began in early 1700s; driven by fossil fuels and technological advances Industrial Revolution: 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
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Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth
Tragedy of the Commons Describes a situation in which resources, made available to everyone, are used unsustainably and eventually depleted Resource management, whether voluntary or mandated, can help avoid resource depletion. The “commons” refers to a public pastureland that was shared by villagers in 19th-century England.
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Ecological Footprints
Lesson 1.1 Our Island, Earth Ecological Footprints total amount of land and water required to: provide the raw materials an individual or population consumes dispose of or recycle the waste an individual or population consumes Ecological footprints include land and water used to grow food at farms hundreds or thousands of miles away. Did You Know? By one calculation, the ecological footprint of the average American is 3.5 times the global average.
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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
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Developed & Developing Countries
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
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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
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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. Video: Sustainability
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