G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

16th Edition

Chapter 1

G. Tyler Miller’sLiving in the Environment

16th Edition

Chapter 1Angela WranicEnvironmental Science 1

TAKE NOTES—The Powerpoint notes are not comprehensive by themselves. You must write what I say also. If you need a recorder that is fine.

Study,study,study…flash cards, reading your book, write out concepts. Each week and when an exam comes along.

Focus on the Powerpoint notes. You text covers a lot of material this helps you narrow down material.

Sustainability, is the ability of earth’s various systems to survive and adapt to environmental conditions indefinitely.

The steps to sustainability must be supported by sound science.

Natural capital: supported by solar capital Natural resources Natural services

E.g., nutrient cycling

Degradation of natural capital through human activities

Scientific solutions

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Societies can become more environmentally sustainable through economic development dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone without degrading the earth's life support systems.

Fig. 1-18, p. 25

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Nonrenewable resources-consumption Energy resources mineral resources Examples?

Reuse

Recycle

Linear GrowthLinear Growth

ExponentialGrowth

ExponentialGrowth

Doubling TimeRule of 7070/Percentage growth

Doubling TimeRule of 7070/Percentage growth

Fig. 1-1

Examples of Developed and Developing Countries?

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Fig. 1-13, p. 18

2.6 billion (38%)

Number of people(% of world's population)

Lack ofaccess to

Adequatesanitation facilities

Enough fuel forheating and cooking

Electricity

Clean drinkingwater

Adequatehealth care

Adequatehousing

Enough foodfor good health

0.86 billion (13%)

1 billion (15%)

1.1 billion (16%)

1.1 billion (16%)

2 billion (29%)

2 billion (29%)

Results ofPoverty

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Found at high enough levels in the environment to cause harm to organisms. Point source Nonpoint source

Problems with relying on cleanup: Often removes a pollutant from one part of the

environment to cause problems in another. Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to

reduce them to acceptable levels.

Pollutants can have three types of unwanted effects: Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems. Can damage health and property. Can create nuisances such as noise and

unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights.

Ecological footprint concept Biological capacity Ecological footprint Average ecological footprint of an individual in

a given country is called per capita ecological footprint.

The WWF estimates human’s global ecological footprint exceeded the earth’s biological capacity by how much? 25%

U.S consumption would only support 1.3 billion people.

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Leading consumer of various foods and goods Wheat, rice, and meat Coal, fertilizers, steel, and cement

Second largest consumer of oil

Two-thirds of the most polluted cities are in China

Projections, by 2020 Largest consumer and producer of cars World’s leading economy in terms of GDP PPP

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Companies do not pay the environmental cost of resource use

Goods and services do not include the harmful environmental costs

Companies receive tax breaks and subsidies

Economy may be stimulated but there may be a degradation of natural capital

Scientific research

Identify problem and multiple solutions

Consider human values

5–10% of the population can bring about major social change

Aldo Leopold: environmental ethics A leader of the conservation and

environmental movements of the 20th century Land ethic

Wrote: A Sand County Almanac

Estimate your own ecological footprint by visiting the website www.myfootprint.org/. What are 3 things you could do to reduce your ecological footprint?

(10 points)

Each person will turn in a paper with notes-Worth 15 points.

Be able to discuss your answers with other groups or the class. It is more important that you be able to discuss rather than writing everything out perfectly. If you are not participating I will mark your grade down.

It is important to express your opinion. This does not mean attacking each other. Ask the question am I talking too much or too little.

You of course can disagree with my opinions. Usually everyone has a different view and that is OK.

What’s the use of a house if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on?

End chapter 1