1. Science and the Environment
Chapter 1

2. Understanding the Environment
The environment is everything around us.
Nature
Man made things
Complex relationships that connect the world and us.
Environmental Science is multidisciplinary.
Involves many fields of study.
Ecology
Chemistry
Geology
Zoology/botany
Paleontology
Social sciences (economics, law, politics, etc).

3. Scientists and Citizens
Many times, the science studied by professionals are the findings of everyday citizens.
Three legged frogs of lakes in Minnesota were first discovered by middle school students.

4. Our Environment through time
Environmental change is not a modern concept.
Wherever humans hunt, grow food, settle, environmental change occurs.
For most of human history, people were hunter-gatherers.
Small groups, migrated. Even today, they still exist in remote parts of the world.
What are some ways that hunter-gatherers have impacted their environment?

5. Hunter-gatherers Hunting bison and other grazers
May have lead to the disappearance of larger mammals.
Set fires to prevent tree growth
Helped to spread plants to areas where the plants didn’t exist.

6. Agricultural Revolution
Following the hunter-gatherer period.
Collected seeds, domesticated animals.
People stopped migrating and built farms.
Population started to grow at an unprecedented rate.
Grasslands, forests, and wetlands were replaced with farmland.
Destroyed natural habitats.

7. Industrial Revolution
Mid 1700’s the use of human and animal muscle and water power changed over to use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas).
Greatly increased the efficiency of agriculture, industry, and transportation.
Increased sanitation, nutrition and medical care.
Populations grew
Pollution increased
Habitat loss increased
In the 1900’s modern societies increased their use of artificial substances (plastics, fertilizers, pesticides)

8. The Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions
Both allowed the human population to grow at a much faster rate then ever before.
Development of modern medicine and sanitation systems perpetuated the problem of population growth.
Before 1700 population stayed relatively constant. After 1700 human population grew at an exponential rate.

9. Human Population Growth

10. What are our main Environmental Problems?
Resource depletion
Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources.
When does a resource switch from being renewable to non?
Pollution
What types are there? Can everyday trash be considered pollution?
Loss of biodiversity
Number and variety of species.
Where is the most/least biodiversity found on Earth?

11. The Environment and Society
Section two:
The Environment and Society

12. Tragedy of the Commons Discovered by Hardin
He found that when animals were left to graze on common land, people tended to graze as many as possible which degraded land.
He also found the opposite to be true: When common land was fenced off to individual owners, they only grazed as many animals as the land could support.

13. How do we share common goods?
Hardin did not consider the point that humans are social beings.
Together, we can plan, organize, consider scientific evidence, and propose solutions.
What ever the solution, may override the needs of the individual, but will improve the environment for everyone in the long term.

14. Economics Supply and demand: Cost-benefits analysis: Risk assessment:
The greater the demand for a limited supply of something the more that something is worth.
What are some examples of supply and demand in today’s society?
Cost-benefits analysis:
Balances the cost of an action against the benefits one expects from it.
Risk assessment:
Depending upon who is evaluating the risk, the results may be different.
Public views risk of nuclear power differently than the scientific communiy.

15. Developed vs. Developing
Higher average incomes
Slower population growth
Diverse industrial economies
Stronger social support systems
US, Japan, countries of Western Europe…
Lower average incomes
Simple and agriculturally based incomes
Rapid population growth
Parts of Africa, India, middle East…

16. Population and Consumption
Two root problems:
Human population in some areas is growing too quickly for the local environment to support it.
People are using up, wasting, or polluting many natural resources faster than they can be renewed.
One way to express the differences in consumption between nations is an Ecological Footprint.

17. Sustainability and Stewardship
Sustainability: human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.
Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care (usually not at their own benefit).

18. Tools of Environmental Science
Chapter 2

19. The Scientific method Observation Hypothesis
Prediction (logical statement about
what will happen if the hypothesis
is correct)
Experiment
Organize and Analyze
Conclude
Repeat experiment
Communicate results

20. Variables:
Independent: this is the variable adjusted by the experimenter.
Dependent: this is the variable that adjusts in response to the independent variable.
Example if we were to test miracle grow on plants we (the experimenter) would adjust the amount of miracle grow. In response to that, the plant would grow.
Amount of miracle grow=independent variable (x-axis)
Amount of growth= dependent variable (y-axis)
Dependent variable
Independent variable

21. Statistics
Collection and classification of data that are in the form of numbers.
How do scientists use statistics?
Summarize
Characterize
Analyze
Compare data
In statistical terms an average is called a mean
Distribution is the total range of numbers (ie: from inches) .
A bell shaped curve represents a normal distribution
Probability is the likelihood that an event will occur.

22. Sample size
In statistics a sample is a group of individuals or events selected to represent the population.
Sample size is very important for accuracy of results, reliability and validity.

23. Models Representations of objects and systems. Several types Physical
Graphical
Conceptual
Mathematical

24. Physical model of a sonogram/fetus
Physical Models
Three dimensional models you can touch.
Closely resemble the object or system they represent although they may be bigger or smaller.
Physical model of a sonogram/fetus

25. Star charts, maps of forest coverage, depth of water, etc.
Graphical Model
Graphs and charts.
Star charts, maps of forest coverage, depth of water, etc.

26. Conceptual models
A verbal or graphical explanation for how a system works or is organized.
Flow charts, verbal descriptions, drawings of how something works or is put together.

27. Mathematical model
One or more equations that represent the way a system or process works.

28. Making informed decisions
Lesson 2.3
Making informed decisions

29. Decision making model A systematic process for making a decision.
Gather Information
Consider Values
Explore Consequences
Make a decision