2. What is Environmental Science?
The study of how humans interact with the environment.
Includes the basic concept that everything is connected.

3. Pure Sciences
Seek to answer questions about how the natural world works.
For example :
Chemistry
Biology
Geology

4. Applied Sciences/Interdisciplinary Sciences
Uses the foundations of pure sciences and “applies” them to solve problems.
For example :
Medicine is an applied science using the foundations of biology, chemistry, anatomy, etc.

5. Environmental Science
Is an applied science using pure science to solve problems.
Has foundation in ecology – the study of how living things interact with the environment (ecology does not include the influence of humans on the environment.
Also uses principles of other pure sciences.
For example: Using Chemistry, Ecology, and Biology to clean up a lake.
Study two main interactions of humans and their environment
The use of natural resources
How human action alters the environment

6. What is our environment?
Everything that surrounds an organism! Both Living and Non-living.
Biotic Factors – associated with the living parts of the environment
Other People
Plants
Animals

7. What is our environment? (cont.)
Abiotic Factors - the non-living parts of our environment.
Soil
sunlight
Water

8. Hunter Gatherer Societies
The Human Impact
Until 10,000 Years Ago:
Hunter Gatherer Societies
Nomadic to collect resources
Small groups (limited populations)
1. High infant mortality
2. Disease
3. Limited resources
4. Predation
Low impact on environment except loss of species (large mammals)
Very good knowledge of environment
Main energy source is wood/human

9. Agricultural Societies
The Human Impact
10,000 Years Ago
Agricultural Societies
Developed the ability to cultivate and store food.
Domestication of plants and animals.
First major spark in population due to food supply exceeding population.
1. Increased lifespan/lower infant mortality
2. Social structure develops/cities grow
3. Change in foods due to genetic selection for desired traits.
Energy sources are human, animal, hydro, wood, very little fossil fuel (coal)
Bad For Environment because : poor soil management 2. deforestation 3. slash/burn agriculture 4. draining of wetland.

11. The Industrial Revolution/Industrial Societies
The Human Impact
Mid 1700’s to now
The Industrial Revolution/Industrial Societies
Humans begin relying heavily on machines and fossil fuels.
Fuel source mostly Fossil Fuels
Good Points:
1. Increased efficiency in farming, industry, and transportation.
2. Large scale production of goods.
3. Population increase (due largely to longer life span with introduction of the Germ Theory of Disease).
4. Overall Improved quality of Life

12. Industrial Societies (cont.)
The Human Impact
Industrial Societies (cont.)
Bad Points :
1. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable and produce pollutants when used.
2. Growth of cities leads to large amount of pollution
3. Increase in population causes major amounts of habitat destruction. (population still growing)
4. Increase in agriculture leads to further soil mismanagement (has only recently started to be reversed)

14. Categories of Environmental Problems
Environmental issues can be categorized into 3 major groups:
Resource Depletion - loss of natural resources
Renewable Resources – those resources that can be replaced in nature as quickly as we use them.
For example: wood
Non-renewable resources – those resources that nature does not replace as fast as we use them.
For example: Fossil fuel

15. Categories of Environmental Problems (cont.)
2. Pollution – introduction of harmful material (such as chemicals, waste, heat, noise, or radiation) into the environment.
Waste materials can be classified as :
Biodegradable – materials that can be broken down into components by nature.
For example: paper
(However: can still be pollutant if accumulates faster than nature can break down)
Nondegradable - materials that are not broken down in a natural process. For example : Plastic

16. Categories of Environmental Problems (cont.)
3. Loss of Biodiversity - biodiversity is the number and variety of species in an area.
Extinctions have occurred naturally throughout history. Some are referred to as mass extinctions (a period when many species die out at the same time).
95 % of species died at the end of the Permian Period
Of concern to humans because we depend on other organisms for food/oxygen/and shelter.

17. The Ecological Footprint
Is the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country.
Is very different in developing countries than in developed countries. (5 times greater in developed)
developing countries - have low average incomes – higher population growth rates – simple economies.
For example: Pakistan, India,
Mexico
developed countries – have high average incomes – lower population growth – diversified economies – VERY high energy consumption
For example : Canada, United Kingdom, the US

18. The Economic Perspective
Economics has a direct effect on decisions we make about our environment. Factors include:
Supply and Demand - the more people want something that there is little of, the more it will cost.
Oil is big issue now because as developing countries grow the demand for oil grows = price goes up
No demand-prices
Supply constant/More demand
Cost & Benefit - is the cost worth the benefit
One way to determine is with a cost-benefit analysis – involves risk assessment (a basic pros and cons list of a situation to weigh merits against expense)

19. The ultimate goal is Sustainability – a condition in which human needs are met in a way that preserves the environment for indefinite survival of mankind and resources.

20. The End !