chapter 1: environmental problems, their causes and sustainability
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Chapter 1: Environmental
Problems, Their Causes and Sustainability
Introductory definitions Know all bold and italicized words in the
book, especially ones in your vocab packet.
Environmental Science is…
Make a concept map.
Sustainability is the central theme of this book Natural capital:
1) Natural resources○ Ex: ______________
2) Natural services○ Ex: ______________
Natural capital is supported by Solar capital
What causes degradation of natural capital?_____________________
Fig. 1-3, p. 8
Air
Air purification
Climate control
Water
Water purification
Waste treatment
Nonrenewableminerals
iron, sand)Natural gas
Oil
Soil
Soil renewal
Nonrenewableenergy
(fossil fuels)
Solarcapital
Land
Food production
Nutrientrecycling
Coal seam
Life(biodiversity)
Populationcontrol
Pestcontrol
Renewableenergy
(sun, wind,water flows)UV protection
(ozone layer)
Natural resourcesNatural services
NATURAL CAPITAL
Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services
Fig. 1-3, p. 8
Human activities can degrade natural capital By using renewable resources faster than
can be replenished (ie fish, trees) (TOTC lab) And by using nonrenewable resources up
Solutions Solutions to problems must be
scientific + politicalOften trade-offs are required because
solutions may require economic lossesShort term vs. long term
Economic Gap There is a wide economic gap between
rich and poor countries Economic growth is measured by
Changes in growth Changes in economic growth: measured
by per capita GDP (why does PER CAPITA matter?) _______________
What is per capita GDP PPP? _______________________________
Comparison of Developed and Developing Countries, 2008
Which kind of growth is good?
1-3 How Are Our Ecological Footprints Affecting the Earth? Concept 1-3 As our ecological
footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the earth’s natural capital.
Some Sources Are Renewable Renewable resource
E.g., forests, grasslands, fresh air, fertile soilcan be replenished fairly quickly (hours up to
hundred years) Sustainable yield
highest rate @ which renewable resources can be used indefinitely w/out reducing available supply
Environmental degradationwhen available supply begins to shrink
Some Resources Are Not Renewable Nonrenewable resources exist in a fixed quantity; can be renewed
in million to billion yrs (maybe) Energy resourcesMetallic mineral resourcesNonmetallic mineral resources –salt, sand
Reuse- Recycle-
Our Ecological Footprints Are Growing
Ecological footprint concept Biological capacityEcological footprint
Natural Capital Use and Degradation
If everyone used resources the way we do in the US, the planet could only support 1.3 billion humans. (Currently the population is above 7 billion and rising. Uh oh. )
Cultural Changes Have Increased Our Ecological Footprints Until 12,000 years ago: hunters and
gatherers Three major cultural events
Agricultural revolutionIndustrial-medical revolutionInformation-globalization revolution
China - By 2020, will have leading economy in terms of GDP PPP. Pop will be 1.5 bil by 2033.
1-4 What Is Pollution and What Can We Do about It?
Concept 1-4 Preventing pollution is more effective and less costly than cleaning up pollution.
Pollution Comes from a Number of Sources Sources of pollution
Point○ E.g., smokestack
Nonpoint○ E.g., pesticides blown into the air
Main type of pollutantsBiodegradableNondegradable
Biodegradable? Biodegradable pollutants - can break
down naturally over time. Nondegradable are harmful for long
periods of time. Lead, mercury, arsenic, plastics -
nondegradable. Fertilizers, sewage, newspaper -
biodegradable.
We Can Clean Up Pollution or Prevent It Pollution cleanup (output pollution
control)
Pollution prevention (input pollution control)
Problems with cleanup only (rather than output control)
Experts Have Identified Five Basic Causes of Environmental Problems Population growth
Wasteful and unsustainable resource use
Poverty
Failure to include the harmful environmental costs of goods and services in their market prices
Insufficient knowledge of how nature works
Some Harmful Results of Poverty
Affluence Has Harmful and Beneficial Environmental Effects
Harmful environmental impact due toHigh levels of consumptionUnnecessary waste of resources
Affluence can provide funding for:Developing technologies to reduce pollution,
environmental degradation, resource waste
In the US, air and water quality have improved since 1970, and some endangered species are coming back from the brink of extinction.
Prices Do Not Include the Value of Natural Capital 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
Different Views about Environmental Problems and Their Solutions
Planetary management: Stewardship: Environmental wisdom:
1-6 What Are Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability?
Concept 1- 6 Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, population control, and nutrient cycling—lessons from nature that we can apply to our lifestyles and economies.
It seems we have 50-100 years to make crucial changes.
Studying Nature Reveals 4 Scientific Principles of Sustainability
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