ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCESCIENCE

Chapter 1 Science and the Chapter 1 Science and the EnvironmentEnvironment

1.2 The Environment and Society1.2 The Environment and Society

1.2 The Environment and Society 1.2 The Environment and Society ObjectivesObjectives

Describe Describe The Tragedy of the CommonsThe Tragedy of the Commons.. Explain the law of supply and demand.Explain the law of supply and demand. List three differences between developed and List three differences between developed and

developing countries.developing countries. Explain what sustainability is, and describe Explain what sustainability is, and describe

why it is a goal of environmental science.why it is a goal of environmental science.

IntroductionIntroduction

When addressing environmental problems, it is When addressing environmental problems, it is important to consider human societies, how they act, important to consider human societies, how they act, and what they do.and what they do.

Society uses many common resources.Society uses many common resources. The 1968 essay, The 1968 essay, The Tragedy of the CommonsThe Tragedy of the Commons, by , by

ecologist Garrett Hardin addressed our approach to ecologist Garrett Hardin addressed our approach to common resources and had a significant impact on common resources and had a significant impact on the environmental movement.the environmental movement.

The Tragedy of the CommonsThe Tragedy of the Commons

The conflict between the short-term interests of The conflict between the short-term interests of individuals and the long-term welfare of society is the individuals and the long-term welfare of society is the main difficulty in solving environmental problems.main difficulty in solving environmental problems.

The “commons” of the essay was an area of land that The “commons” of the essay was an area of land that belonged to the whole village.belonged to the whole village.

The short-term interest of the individual was to put as The short-term interest of the individual was to put as many animals on the area for grazing as possible – if I many animals on the area for grazing as possible – if I don’t use the free resource, then someone else will was don’t use the free resource, then someone else will was the guiding philosophy.the guiding philosophy.

However, overgrazing destroyed the grass and no one However, overgrazing destroyed the grass and no one could use the commons.could use the commons.

The Tragedy of the CommonsThe Tragedy of the Commons

The commons were replaced by closed fields owned by The commons were replaced by closed fields owned by individuals.individuals.

The new landowners were careful not to overgraze The new landowners were careful not to overgraze because it would jeopardize their future productivity.because it would jeopardize their future productivity.

The point is, someone or some group has to take The point is, someone or some group has to take responsibility for maintaining a resource in order to avoid responsibility for maintaining a resource in order to avoid overuse.overuse.

Hardin suggested that the continued depletion of Hardin suggested that the continued depletion of resources could lead to the eventual collapse of society.resources could lead to the eventual collapse of society.

Economics and the EnvironmentEconomics and the Environment

The law of supply and demand states that the greater The law of supply and demand states that the greater the demand for a limited supply of something, the the demand for a limited supply of something, the more that “something” is worth.more that “something” is worth.

If the supply of oil decreases, there are three options.If the supply of oil decreases, there are three options. Pay the higher pricePay the higher price Use less oilUse less oil Find new sources of energyFind new sources of energy

A cost-benefit analysis balances the costs of A cost-benefit analysis balances the costs of something against the expected benefits.something against the expected benefits.

Supply and DemandSupply and Demand

Economics and the EnvironmentEconomics and the Environment

A risk-assessment is a tool that helps us create A risk-assessment is a tool that helps us create cost-effective ways to protect our health and cost-effective ways to protect our health and the environment.the environment.

The public must perceive a risk accurately in The public must perceive a risk accurately in order to come up with an effective solution.order to come up with an effective solution.

Developed and Developing Developed and Developing CountriesCountries

Wealth and resources are not distributed evenly among Wealth and resources are not distributed evenly among nations.nations.

Developed countries tend to have higher per capita Developed countries tend to have higher per capita income, slower (or negative) population growth, income, slower (or negative) population growth, diverse industrial economies, and stronger social diverse industrial economies, and stronger social support systems.support systems. Examples; United States, Australia, Canada, JapanExamples; United States, Australia, Canada, Japan

Developing countries have lower per capita income, Developing countries have lower per capita income, simple and agriculture-based economies, and rapid simple and agriculture-based economies, and rapid population growth.population growth. Examples; Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, AfghanistanExamples; Bangladesh, Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan

Population and ConsumptionPopulation and Consumption

Almost all environmental problems can be traced Almost all environmental problems can be traced back to two root causes; population and consumption.back to two root causes; population and consumption.

Severely overpopulated regions cannot provide Severely overpopulated regions cannot provide enough natural resources to the people who live there.enough natural resources to the people who live there.

Forests are often destroyed, erosion common, and Forests are often destroyed, erosion common, and species driven to extinction.species driven to extinction.

Malnutrition, starvation, and disease become major Malnutrition, starvation, and disease become major obstacles faced by those in these regions.obstacles faced by those in these regions.

Population and ConsumptionPopulation and Consumption

The most rapid human population growth is most The most rapid human population growth is most rapid in developing countries.rapid in developing countries.

Of the 4.5 billion people in developing countries, Of the 4.5 billion people in developing countries, fewer than half have access to enough food, drinking fewer than half have access to enough food, drinking water, and proper sanitation.water, and proper sanitation.

Population growth has stopped or slowed greatly in Population growth has stopped or slowed greatly in developed nations.developed nations.

Developed nations use about 75% of the world’s Developed nations use about 75% of the world’s resources, though they make up only about 20% of resources, though they make up only about 20% of the population.the population.

Population and ConsumptionPopulation and Consumption

An ecological footprint shows the productive An ecological footprint shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country.particular country.

Individuals living in developed nations have a Individuals living in developed nations have a much larger ecological footprint than those in much larger ecological footprint than those in developing nations due to demand for developing nations due to demand for resources, position on ecological pyramid, and resources, position on ecological pyramid, and consumption of fossil fuels.consumption of fossil fuels.

Environmental Science in ContextEnvironmental Science in Context

Environmental problems are often complex and there are no Environmental problems are often complex and there are no simple answers.simple answers.

Political, economic, and social issues are woven into the fabric Political, economic, and social issues are woven into the fabric of most environmental problems.of most environmental problems.

With people arguing passionately on both sides of With people arguing passionately on both sides of environmental issues, it is important to consider the source of environmental issues, it is important to consider the source of information on issues and realize hidden agendas that may be information on issues and realize hidden agendas that may be present.present.

Listening to many viewpoints and applying critical thinking Listening to many viewpoints and applying critical thinking skills helps an individual make a well-informed, educated skills helps an individual make a well-informed, educated decision on environmental issues.decision on environmental issues.

A Sustainable WorldA Sustainable World

Achieving sustainability is a key goal of Achieving sustainability is a key goal of environmental science.environmental science.

Sustainability is the condition in which human needs Sustainability is the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.survive indefinitely.

In a sustainable world, things do change.In a sustainable world, things do change. Achieving a sustainable world is obtainable as long as Achieving a sustainable world is obtainable as long as

everyone from the average person to chiefs of state everyone from the average person to chiefs of state promotes environmental awareness and promotes environmental awareness and environmentally friendly practices.environmentally friendly practices.

ReferencesReferences

Broken Stalactites - Broken Stalactites - http://buzzybee.150m.com/content/newfile24.htmhttp://buzzybee.150m.com/content/newfile24.htm

Cathedral Caverns Stalagmites - Cathedral Caverns Stalagmites - http://http://philhord.com/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumNamephilhord.com/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=cathedral_caverns=cathedral_caverns

Supply and Demand Curve - Supply and Demand Curve - http://stocksorbonds.blogspot.com/2005_11_06_stocksorhttp://stocksorbonds.blogspot.com/2005_11_06_stocksorbonds_archive.htmlbonds_archive.html

Supply and Demand of Oil - Supply and Demand of Oil - http://downwardslant.blogspot.com/2005/08/84.htmlhttp://downwardslant.blogspot.com/2005/08/84.html

ReferencesReferences

Selected Ecological Footprints - Selected Ecological Footprints - http://www.sustainablemeasures.com/Traininghttp://www.sustainablemeasures.com/Training/Indicators/EcoFootp.html /Indicators/EcoFootp.html