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Science and the Environment
Science and the Environment
Chapter 1Section 1: Understanding Our Environment
Section 2: The Environment and Society
Chapter 1Section 1: Understanding Our Environment
Section 2: The Environment and Society
Science and the Environment
Science and the Environment
What are some of the most significant environmental problems in the world? In our community?
What are solutions to these problems?
What are some of the most significant environmental problems in the world? In our community?
What are solutions to these problems?
What is Environmental Science?
What is Environmental Science?
Define environment: a complex web of relationships that connects us with the world we live in.Environmental science is the study of
how humans interact with the environment.
Define environment: a complex web of relationships that connects us with the world we live in.Environmental science is the study of
how humans interact with the environment.
Goals of Environmental Science
Goals of Environmental Science
To understand and solve environmental problemsHow do we use our natural
resourcesWhat actions have altered the
environmentUse many fields of study in order
to accomplish this goal
To understand and solve environmental problemsHow do we use our natural
resourcesWhat actions have altered the
environmentUse many fields of study in order
to accomplish this goal
Our Environment Through Time
Our Environment Through Time
Hunters-gatherersDiscovered types of foods and
animals to eat Used natural resources for
everythingImpact on environment was low
Hunters-gatherersDiscovered types of foods and
animals to eat Used natural resources for
everythingImpact on environment was low
Our Environment Through Time
Our Environment Through TimeAgricultural
RevolutionDomestication of plants
and animals. People settle in one
area rather than move in order to follow food.
Still relying on man-power
Agricultural RevolutionDomestication of plants
and animals. People settle in one
area rather than move in order to follow food.
Still relying on man-power
Our Environment Through Time
Our Environment Through Time
Industrial RevolutionInvolved a shift in energy sources
to fossil fuels.Efficiency of agriculture, industry
and transportationImproved quality of life
Industrial RevolutionInvolved a shift in energy sources
to fossil fuels.Efficiency of agriculture, industry
and transportationImproved quality of life
What are the Main Problems?
What are the Main Problems?
Resource DepletionNatural Resource: any natural
material used by humansResources are depleted when a
large fraction of the resource has been used up
Resource DepletionNatural Resource: any natural
material used by humansResources are depleted when a
large fraction of the resource has been used up
ResourcesResources
Renewable Resources: a resources that can be replaced relatively quickly by natural processesFresh water, soil, air, trees, crops
and energy from the sun
Renewable Resources: a resources that can be replaced relatively quickly by natural processesFresh water, soil, air, trees, crops
and energy from the sun
ResourcesResources
Nonrenewable Resources: a resource that forms at a much slower rate than the rate that it is consumedMineral and fossil fuels
(oil and coal)Takes millions of years to
replace
Nonrenewable Resources: a resource that forms at a much slower rate than the rate that it is consumedMineral and fossil fuels
(oil and coal)Takes millions of years to
replace
What are the Main Problems?
What are the Main Problems?
PollutionAn undesired change in air, water
or soil that adversely affects the health, survival or activities of human or other organisms
PollutionAn undesired change in air, water
or soil that adversely affects the health, survival or activities of human or other organisms
Pollution Pollution
Biodegradable pollutants: broken down by natural processes Human Sewage and newspapers
Non-biodegradable pollutants: can not be broken down by natural processes Plastics and some types of metals
Biodegradable pollutants: broken down by natural processes Human Sewage and newspapers
Non-biodegradable pollutants: can not be broken down by natural processes Plastics and some types of metals
Pollution in ChinaPollution in China
What are the Main Problems?
What are the Main Problems?
Loss of BiodiversityBiodiversity: the
number and variety of species that live in an area.Many species depend on
others for survival. If certain species do not
exist, that could lead to further problems.
Loss of BiodiversityBiodiversity: the
number and variety of species that live in an area.Many species depend on
others for survival. If certain species do not
exist, that could lead to further problems.
“Tragedy of Commons”“Tragedy of Commons”
In certain villages there were areas consider commons. Individuals would have their animals graze the land.
If too many animals grazed on the commons it can destroy grass.
In certain villages there were areas consider commons. Individuals would have their animals graze the land.
If too many animals grazed on the commons it can destroy grass.
Tragedy of the Commons
Tragedy of the Commons
Economics and the Environment
Economics and the Environment
Supply and DemandThe greater the demand for a limited
supply of something, the more that things is worth
Give an example of something that is in high demand now, but seems to be in limited supply
Supply and DemandThe greater the demand for a limited
supply of something, the more that things is worth
Give an example of something that is in high demand now, but seems to be in limited supply
The supply curve and the demand curve -- where they meet determines the price of a particular item or service
Economics and the Environment
Economics and the Environment
Cost and BenefitsIs the benefit worth the cost?
Risk AssessmentHow can we protect our environment
cost effectively
Cost and BenefitsIs the benefit worth the cost?
Risk AssessmentHow can we protect our environment
cost effectively
Developed and Developing Countries
Developed and Developing Countries
Developed CountryHave higher than average
incomes, slower population growth, diverse industrial economies and strong social structureU.S., Japan, Western Europe, Canada
Developed CountryHave higher than average
incomes, slower population growth, diverse industrial economies and strong social structureU.S., Japan, Western Europe, Canada
Developed and Developing Countries
Developed and Developing Countries
Developing CountryLower than average incomes,
simple and agricultural based economies and rapid population growthMexico, Brazil, Malaysia
Developing CountryLower than average incomes,
simple and agricultural based economies and rapid population growthMexico, Brazil, Malaysia
Population and Consumption
Population and Consumption
Consumption Trends:75% of the world’s resources are
used by developed countries Ecological Footprints:
Shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country
Consumption Trends:75% of the world’s resources are
used by developed countries Ecological Footprints:
Shows the productive area of Earth needed to support one person in a particular country
A Sustainable WorldA Sustainable WorldSustainability:
the condition in which human needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.
Sustainability: the condition in which human
needs are met in such a way that a human population can survive indefinitely.
