CHAPTER 2 SCIENCE LITERACY AND THE PROCESS OF SCIENCE SCIENCE AND THE SKY Solving the mystery of disappearing ozone

CHAPTER 1 ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY

ON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSEWhat lessons can we learn from a vanished Viking society?

ON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSEWhat lessons can we learn from a vanished Viking society?1Humans are dependent upon a healthy planet. Our choices can be sustainable, or they can put excess pressure on our resources.Main Concept2Learning OutcomesON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSEWhat lessons can we learn from a vanished Viking society?1

At the end of this chapter you should know:What impact humans have on the environment How environmental literacy will help us make informed decisionsWhat it means to be sustainable and how individuals can help3ON THE ROAD TO COLLAPSEWhat lessons can we learn from a vanished Viking society?1

Case Study Viking Settlers in Greenland

History Viking settlers from Norway established camps and eventually villages in Greenland.

They relocated their old way of life to a new land that could not support their agricultural methods. Over a relatively short period of time, the Vikings died out, leaving their story for archeologists only in trash heaps.4Environmental science is all encompassing1

TERMS TO KNOW:EnvironmentEnvironmental scienceWe are more likely to see conflict in societal or political terms rather than with the natural environment.

The interdisciplinary play between natural and applied sciences allows us to have a better understanding of our relationship with and ultimate dependence on the resources of the planet.Environmental Science is all encompassing

5Environmental science is all encompassing1

TERMS TO KNOW:EnvironmentEnvironmental scienceWe are more likely to see conflict in societal or political terms rather than with the natural environment.

The interdisciplinary play between natural and applied sciences allows us to have a better understanding of our relationship with and ultimate dependence on the resources of the planet.Environmental Science is all encompassing

6Environmental science is all encompassing1

TERMS TO KNOW:EnvironmentEnvironmental scienceWe are more likely to see conflict in societal or political terms rather than with the natural environment.

The interdisciplinary play between natural and applied sciences allows us to have a better understanding of our relationship with and ultimate dependence on the resources of the planet.Environmental Science is all encompassing

7Environmental science is all encompassing1

TERMS TO KNOW:EnvironmentEnvironmental scienceWe are more likely to see conflict in societal or political terms rather than with the natural environment.

The interdisciplinary play between natural and applied sciences allows us to have a better understanding of our relationship with and ultimate dependence on the resources of the planet.Environmental Science is all encompassing

8Environmental science is all encompassing1

Scientific investigation uses a systematic approach that begins with observations and the questions those observations generate.

We can use what we learn about one series of observations and experiments to inform our actions and generate change in many other situations.

Because environmental problems are often far more complicated than they appear, our ability to understand the natural world and accept the trade-offs that come with our decisions is needed to ensure our own survival.9The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1TERMS TO KNOW:Empirical scienceApplied scienceEnvironmental literacyTrade-offsTriple bottom lineEvidence of the Vikings relationship with the land comes from the trash they left behind and also from atmospheric particles trapped by the ice sheets.

Falling snow absorbs particles from the atmosphere. When it compacts and freezes into ice, those particles are preserved, stratified, and leave a perfect sample of the atmosphere over time.

Analysis of the layers over time showed changes in the atmosphere over the time Vikings were settling Greenland. This period of a mini ice age coupled with self-inflicted environmental damage was inconsistent with survival.

10The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1

In addition to the ice cores, scientists analyzed mud cores from lake beds.

The soil that had blown into the lakes indicated soil erosion well before the mini ice age began.OvergrazingDenudingLoss of soil anchorSoil blown away

Also used grassland to insulate homestypically 10 acres per house!Slow recovery in a fragile ecosystem11The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1Wicked problems are those challenges that come with multiple stakeholders and many different potential solutions.

These problems are often very complicated and their solutions rarely come with a clear winner.

12

The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1Wicked problems are those challenges that come with multiple stakeholders and many different potential solutions.

These problems are often very complicated and their solutions rarely come with a clear winner.

13The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1

Wicked problems are those challenges that come with multiple stakeholders and many different potential solutions.

These problems are often very complicated and their solutions rarely come with a clear winner.

14The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1

Wicked problems are those challenges that come with multiple stakeholders and many different potential solutions.

These problems are often very complicated and their solutions rarely come with a clear winner.

15

Wicked Problems are those challenges that come with multiple stakeholders and many different potential solutions.

These problems are often very complicated and their solutions rarely come with a clear winner.The Greenland Vikings demise was caused by natural events and human choices1

16Responding to environmental problems and working with neighbors help a society cope with changes1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable developmentThe middens held bones indicating the changing diet of the Vikings in Greenlandcattle, sheep, caribou, and goats, but no fish.

Similar middens from Norwegian settlers in Iceland of the same time revealed fish, bird, and even whale bones.

Unlike the Norwegians of Iceland, the Vikings of Greenland maintained the old ways with wood and livestock without long-term consideration of the vanishing landscape.

17Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earths ecosystems1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable developmentFarming practices, livestock production, topsoil degradation, loss of soil fertility, overharvesting forests

Consequences are loss of habitat and diversity, soil erosion, water pollution, and introduction of invasive species.

Our additional problem is paramountpopulation growth.

Earths resources are limited to a carrying capacity. The more we use, the fewer people the planet can support.

We have a lot in common with the Vikings.

18Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earths ecosystems1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable development

Our attitudes frequently prevent us from responding effectively to environmental change.We have a lot in common with the Vikings.

Underlying causes of many environmental problemsPopulationTrashPollution19

Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earths ecosystems1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable developmentOur attitudes toward the environment can help or hurt our ability to respond to change.20

Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earths ecosystems1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable developmentOur attitudes toward the environment can help or hurt our ability to respond to change.

21

Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earths ecosystems1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable developmentOur attitudes toward the environment can help or hurt our ability to respond to change.

22

Humans are an environmental force that impacts Earths ecosystems1TERMS TO KNOW:Sustainable developmentOur attitudes toward the environment can help or hurt our ability to respond to change.

23Human societies can become more sustainable1TERMS TO KNOW:Carrying capacityEcological footprintAnthropogenicSustainableRenewable energyBiodiversity

Matter can be recycled indefinitely so that the waste from one organisms becomes a resource for another.

Diversity ensures that there will be a variety of ways that energy can be trapped and used.Natural ecosystems are a model of sustainability. They use energy and matter in ways that ensure those resources continue to be available.

All organisms need a constant, reliable source of energy. For nature, this is the Sun with photosynthetic organisms converting light energy to chemical energy that can be stored or passed up the food chain.

24Human societies can become more sustainable1

25Human societies can become more sustainable1

26Human societies can become more sustainable1

27Human societies can become more sustainable1

28Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:Nonrenewable resourcesSocial trapsTragedy of the commonsTime delaySliding reinforcerCultural norms, taboos, and status symbols may be in conflict with environmental sustainability.

The Greenland Vikings built wooden cathedrals, consumed large quantities of beef, refused to eat readily available fish, and refused to accept help from others.

Commonly held resources

If I dont use it, someone else will.29Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:WorldviewsEnvironmental ethic

Social Trap Tragedy of the CommonsEach person acts in a way to maximize his/her own benefit.30Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:WorldviewsEnvironmental ethic

Social Trap Time DelayAn action produces a benefit today while deferring costs and problems for later.31Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:WorldviewsEnvironmental ethic

Social Trap Sliding ReinforcerAn action that is beneficial at first may change conditions such that benefit declines.32Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1

As with the Vikings, wealth can insulate groups of people from the realities of environmental decline. Wealthier nations are less effected by resource availability.Two billion people or more lack adequate resources to meet their basic needs.33Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1

TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldviewHow we view the world and our existence are influenced by cultural, religious, and personal experiences.

Our worldview determines our environmental ethic.34Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1

TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldviewHow we view the world and our existence are influenced by cultural, religious, and personal experiences.

Our worldview determines our environmental ethic.

35Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1

TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldviewHow we view the world and our existence are influenced by cultural, religious, and personal experiences.

Our worldview determines our environmental ethic.

36Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1

An ecocentric worldview values all living creatures and nonliving processes of an ecosystem.37Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldview

There has been a gradual change in the way the United States as a nation has viewed the natural world.

38Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldview

There has been a gradual change in the way the United States as a nation has viewed the natural world.

39Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldview

There has been a gradual change in the way the United States as a nation has viewed the natural world.

40Humanity faces some challenges in dealing with environmental issues1TERMS TO KNOW:Anthropocentric worldviewInstrumental valueBiocentric worldviewIntrinsic valueEcocentric worldview

There has been a gradual change in the way the United States as a nation has viewed the natural world.

41PERSONAL CHOICES THAT HELP1

Environmental healthEconomic profitabilitySocial and economic equity42UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE1

43ANALYZING THE SCIENCE1

44UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE1

45EVALUATING NEW INFORMATION1

http://www.seussville.com/loraxproject/

http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/NDow/files/TRUAX1.pdfThe Lorax

The Truax (updated link)

46MAKING CONNECTIONS1

47