1. Science and the Environment

2. What is Environmental Science?
The study of how humans interact with the environment.
Environment = the natural world plus anything produced by humans

3. Goals of Environmental Science
To understand environmental problems.
To solve environmental problems.
How we use our natural resources
ex: water, plants, oil, gas…
How our actions change the environment
ex: drilling for oil in deep ocean waters

4. Environmental Science is Interdisciplinary
Many fields of science contribute to environmental science.
Ecology: Interactions of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things in the environment.
Chemistry, Geology, Botany, Zoology, Paleontology
Social sciences, Economics, Law, Politics, Geography
Scientists as citizens and citizens as scientists.

5. Environmental Science
Activity
1) Create a concept map:
Environmental science in the center
Other fields of study as branches
2) Use the chart on page 7
Environmental Science

6. Our Environment Through Time
1. Hunter-Gatherers affected the environment
They were people who hunted for food (bison, deer, fish) or collected food (fruit, grain, nuts).
May have caused extinction of certain species.

7. Hunter-Gatherers

8. 2. The Agricultural Revolution
Farms appeared
Caused human populations to grow.
More food can be produced on farms
Over-farming results in
poor soil
soil loss
water shortages

10. 3. The Industrial Revolution
Sources of energy were changed.
animal and water power were substituted by fossil fuels (coal, oil)
Society changed.
greatly increased efficiency of agriculture, industry, transportation
Benefits: Quality of life improved.
Problems: pollution, habitat loss

11. Child Labor

12. Child Labor
Cotton Gin

14. Trains Replace Horses

15. Pollution

16. Habitat Loss – Amazon