1. Introducing Environmental Science and Sustainability
Chapter 1
Introducing Environmental Science and Sustainability

2. Human Impacts on the Environment
Increasing Human Numbers

3. Human Impacts on the Environment
Most populous countries:
1) China 1,374,853,000
2) India 1,155,011,000
3) United States 309,163,000
4) Indonesia 258,825,000
5) Brazil ,580,000
Source: US Census Bureau, Global Population Profile: 2002

4. Human Impacts on the Environment

5. Population, Resources, and the Environment
The contrast between less developed and highly developed countries is great:

6. Population, Resources, and the Environment
Resource Consumption:
because of our greater consumption rates, 1 US child has the environmental impact of 12+ children in less developed countries.

7. Population, Resources, and the Environment
Ecological footprint

8. Human Impacts on the Environment
Poverty :
per capita income less than $1 a day
1.2 billion worldwide currently live at this level
Leads to . . .
Inadequate health care
Unsanitary water
Poor nutrition
Lower life expectancy

9. Population, Resources, and the Environment
Types of resources:
Renewable - only when managed in a sustainable way

10. Environmental Sustainability
stewardship of natural resources leading to their perpetual availability for successive generations.

11. Environmental Sustainability
Sustainability and the Tragedy of the Commons
Garrett Hardin

12. Population, Resources, and the Environment
People Overpopulation:
when excess # of people cause environmental damage.
Consumption Overpopulation:
when people consume enormous amounts of natural resources.

13. Population, Resources, and the Environment
IPAT Model
Environmental Impact
Affluence per person
I = P A T
Environmental effect of technologies
Number of people

14. Environmental Science
Interdisciplinary study of the interconnected problems associated with the environment.
Includes ecology.

15. Environmental Science
The Process of Science
Problem recognition or question
New knowledge
Hypothesis development
Experimentation
Predictions
Other scientists
Analysis
Share knowledge NO
Hypothesis supported?
YES

16. Environmental Science
Controls and Variables in
Experimental Design
Variable:
factors influencing processes being examined.
hypothesis examines ONE variable, holding others constant.
This is the experimental group.
Control group :
examined variable is left unaltered

17. Environmental Science
Hypothesis: Burning will increase frequency of prairie wildflowers.
Which is the control group?

18. Environmental Science
How does the view of a theory differ between scientists and the public?

19. Environmental Science
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive examines a series of facts for commonalities that can be concluded.
Example:
Fact: an ant has six legs
Fact: a wasp has six legs
Fact: a beetle has six legs
Conclusion: all insects have six legs

20. Environmental Science
Deductive examines for relationships among data moving from generalities to specifics.
Example:
General rule: all insects have six legs
Specific example: a grasshopper is an insect
Therefore: a grasshopper has six legs

21. Addressing Environmental Problems
Scientific Assessment
Risk Analysis
Public education and involvement
Political action
Evaluation

22. Addressing Environmental Problems
Case in Point: Lake Washington
Scientific assessment
Public education and involvement
Political action

23. Addressing Environmental Problems
Case in Point: Lake Washington
Evaluation

24. Addressing Environmental Problems
Case in Point: Lake Washington
Evaluation

25. Footprint Calculation
Adams High School = 315,413 Square feet
Adams High School Population
@ 1700 People (Students and Staff)
1 Square Foot = Square meters