1. Science and Sustainability: An Introduction to Environmental Science
Chapter 1

3. The Environment and Environmental Science:
Earth may seem enormous, but it and its systems are finite and limited
We can change Earth and damage its systems
Environment - all of the biotic and abiotic things around us
Biotic - living things
Abiotic – non-living things
We are dependent on Earth for our survival therefore we need a healthy, functioning planet
Natural systems have been degraded by pollution, soil erosion, species extinction, etc.
Environmental changes threaten long-term health and survival

4. Environmental science - interdisciplinary study of how natural world works, how we affect environment, how environment affects us
Natural sciences – studies natural world
Social sciences – studies values and human behavior

6. Natural resources – materials and energy sources we take from environment to survive
Renewable natural resources – resources that replenish over a fairly short period of time
Some continually renew
Some take years to decades to renew
Nonrenewable natural resources - resources with finite supply
Millions of years needed renew
Renewability is best understood as a continuum, resources with potential for renewal can be depleted when used faster than replenished

8. Importance of Ecosystems Services:
Ecosystems services - processes carried out by naturally functioning ecosystems that supports living things and makes human economic activity possible
Air and water purification
Nutrient cycling
Climate regulation
Plant pollination
Waste recycling

9. The Connection Between Population Growth and Resource Consumption:
Currently over 7 billion
9 billion by 2050
~ 10,000 years ago agricultural revolution
Society shifted from hunter-gatherer to agriculture
Plant cultivation and selective breeding = greater food production, food stability

10. ~300 years ago, industrial revolution
Mid 1800s, wide use of machines, industry and agriculture grew rapidly
Spurred by the use of fossil fuels (non-renewable energy resources including oil, coal, natural gas
Both events accelerated population growth and increase resource consumption

12. Ecological footprint – the total area of biologically productive land and water needed to produce resources and absorb wastes of a person or population
Currently we are using 2.7 ha/person creating global deficit of 50%
Renewable resources are being used 50% faster than replenished
Overshoot – human demand is exceeding nature’s ability to provide
Compare demand to biocapacity it is currently taking natural resources of 1.5 Earth’s to support humanity

14. The Lesson of Easter Island:
Resource consumption and population growth are impacting today’s global society
Past civilizations have collapsed after degrading their environment
Easter Island was once lush but degradation led to collapse today scientists debate over the exact cause of the island’s environmental fate
Civilizations succeed or fail based on how they interact with their environment and how problems are solved

15. The Scientific Method The Nature of Science:
Science – an organized method for learning about the world and testing our knowledge of it
Science is necessary to sort fact from fiction and develop solutions to problems we are facing
It must be accessible and understandable to the public

16. Observational (descriptive) science - information is gathered about our world through measuring and observation
Used in astronomy, paleontology, taxonomy, plate tectonics
Hypothesis-driven science = targeted research
Experiments test hypotheses using the scientific method
Scientists make observations and ask questions about some phenomenon

18. Hypothesis - a statement that attempts to answer the question
Hypothesis generates predictions – specific statements that can be directly tested
Controlled experiment – an experiment where variables are controlled
Control – the unchanged which is used for comparison
Variable - condition that can change
Independent variable - the variable that can be changed
Dependent variable - the outcome of the independent variable
Results will support the hypothesis

19. Dependent variable - the outcome of the independent variable
Results will support the hypothesis
Theory – a well tested and generally accepted explanation of a phenomena

20. Sustainability and our Future
Concepts of Sustainability and Sustainable Development:
Sustainability – the idea that we must live within our planet’s resources and ability to provide for us and all life
Sustainability involves:
Resource conservation
Maintaining ecological systems
Development of long-term solutions that sustain our civilization and all life in future
This will allow our descendants to live at least as well as we have

21. Natural capital – the total wealth of Earth’s natural resources
We are currently living on natural capital when we need to live on natural interest
Population growth has slowed but 200,000 people added to Earth’s population daily contributing to increasing demands on resources and the environment

22. Impacts of Population and Consumption:
Deforestation and soil erosion from agriculture
Increased urban sprawl
Reduction of freshwater supply
Increased air and water pollution
Increased waste generation – toxic and non-toxic
Reduced supplies of mineral and ore deposits
Climate change
Loss of biodiversity

24. Sustainable Solutions Abound:
Renewable energy and energy efficiency innovations
Agriculture reform
Laws for reducing pollution and protection of the environment
Increased recycling and decreasing waste production
Reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emitted

25. Campus Sustainability:
Colleges and universities contribute up to 2% of total carbon emissions in the US
Many campuses have extensive infrastructures
Student led organizations are taking initiatives to reducing footprint