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Philosophy and Fundamental Concepts
Learning Objectives
Meaning of “Environmental Geology”
Scientific Method
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Crisis?
Concept of sustainability
Systems
Uniformitarianism
Etc.
Some Definitions
Geology: Study of the earth (all aspects)
Environment: various definitionsSurroundings:
PhysicalChemicalBiological
Social & cultural definitions each with implications
Some Definitions con’t
Environmental Geology: Applied Geology Earth materials Geologic processes Hydrologic processes Landscape Natural hazards Natural resources & energy Anthropogenic (man-made or man-influenced)
impacts on any of the above Effects of the above on man, society, the
environment
The Scientific Method"It has often been said that the greatest discovery in science was the discovery of the
scientific method of discovery." -- Dr. James K. Feibleman, author of Scientific Method (1972)
Scientific Method vs. Methods The term “the scientific method” represents the general pattern of
the types of mental activity stages (usually aided by physical activities) that occur in the master method, which we use to obtain, refine, extend and apply knowledge in all fields.
Over all, it represents the system of science and the complete problem solving process.
The words “scientific methods,” as used today, refer to the creative, non-logical, logical or technical methods or techniques used in the problem solving process such as during the stages of the scientific method.
Scientific Methods con’tMethod(s) for understanding how the world works Identify, understand, solve problemsThinking/problem solving skillsObjectivity
Traditional http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html
SM-14 http://www.scientificmethod.com/b_index.html
TheoriesAre hypotheses that withstand the scrutiny of experiments/testing (to establish/confirm e.g., consistency, repeatability, predictability)
A strong scientific statement that the hypothesis behind the theory is likely to be true, but has not been conclusively proven
Absolute proof of scientific theory is often not possible
What kind of “proof” is required (or necessary)?
Examples
Gravity
Solar system model (seasons)
Atomic theory Electricity Nuclear physics
What is the prevailing theory for the conditions (environment) necessary for life?
Deep Sea Vents: Smokers
Restricted to mid-ocean ridges
~ 2 miles deep
Ambient temperature 2oC
Temperature at vents >750o F (>400oC)
Anomalous concentrations of sulfides Cu, Zn, Fe, Ba, Si, H2S
Chemosynthesis-based life (bacteria & higher forms)
Regulates thermal and chemical balance of oceans and atmosphere
Importance
Objectivity, keep an open mind
Appreciation of: “what we do, or think we know”, AND “what we don’t, or may not know”
Healthy sense of curiousity/skeptism; don’t be afraid to question the status quo
Culture and Environmental Awareness
What is this? What is its significance?Present conditions and the way we perceive and respond to our physical environment are developed from cultural and social institutions Political Economic Ethical Religious Aesthetic
Solution to environmental issues/problems require change in how society works (e.g, similar to industrial revolution)
Environmental EthicsWhat does this mean? Environmental “consciousness”
Existence of relationships between the physical environment and civilization
Motivation for concept? e.g., “The Quiet Crisis”
Land Ethic: Responsibility to the total environment as well as society
Meaning / scope?
Limits?
Perspective
Environmental Crisis
Meaning? Increasing demands on diminishing resources Demands accelerate as the population grows Increasing production of wastes
Factors Overpopulation Urbanization Industrialization Low regard for environmental/land ethics Inadequacy of institutions to cope with environmental
stresses
Environmental Crisis: Examples
Deforestation
Mining of resources (e.g., metals, coal, petroleum)
Development/damage to groundwater and surface water resources
Eight Fundamental Concepts
1. Overpopulation = #1 environmental problem2. Environmental objective = sustainability3a The earth is (essentially) a closed system with respect to materials
3b Solutions to environmental problems require understanding of feedback and rates of
change in systems4a. The earth is the only sustainable habitat we have4b. It’s resources are limited5. Today’s physical processes are modifying our landscape (and environment), and have
operated throughout geologic time; but magnitude and frequency are subject to natural and man-induced changes
6. Earth processes that are hazardous to people have always existed7. An understanding of our environment requires an understanding of the earth sciences
(and related disciplines)8. The effects of land use tend to be cumulative. Thus, we have an obligation to those who
follow us.
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Population Growth
Greatest environmental problem
Exponential growth
Exponential Growth
Growth Rate CalculationsAs a percentage (e.g., 2% per year) E.G. for a population of 100,000 (105)
After yr-1, increase = 0.02 x 105 = 2,000
Total population now =102,000
After yr-2, increase = 0.02 x (102,000)= 2,040
Population now = 104,040
Doubling Time Roughly = 70 ÷ growth rate
E.G. for a growth rate of 2%
Doubling time 70 ÷ 2 = 35 years
Standard growth equation: N=Noekt
see pg. 16
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Sustainability
Concept of “sustainability” = ?
Sustain environmental resources so they can continue to provide benefits to people and the environment
Ensuring equal opportunity to resources for future generations
Types of development that: Are economically viable
Do not “harm” the environment
Socially just
Sustainable global economy (of planet & its resources)
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
SystemsSystem: Any part of the universe selected for study
Concept of “systems”
Earth as “a system” (w/ component systems): Atmosphere (air) Hydrosphere (water) Lithosphere (rock, soil) Biosphere (life)
Interactions of these parts = conditions of the environment
Changes in magnitude or frequency of processes in one part causes changes in other parts, e.g., ?
Earth “Cycles””
Systems: Principle of Environmental Unity
Everything affects everything else, e.g.:Mountain building affects atmosphere,
weather, which affects hydrosphere, which affects biosphere, which affects environment, and eventually the lithosphere (e.g., erosion)
Gaia Hypothesis (later; also see pg. 18)
System Factors/Components
Type of system (open, closed, etc.)
Stock (reservoir): quantity of stuff there
Fluxes (e.g., flow rate) InputOutput
Types of Systems
Open: Allows matter and energy in and out (e.g., environment)
Closed: Allows only energy in and out
Isolated: Allows neither matter or energy to enter or leave
Input-Output AnalysisDynamic systems have inputs & outputs
System parameters: Stock/pool Rates (fluxes)
Input Output Others
Main ways stocks can change
Residence Time
Measure of time required for the total stock or supply of material to be cycled through a system
Calculation of average residence time (ARD) Assumming constant size, rates, etc.
ARD = (size of stock) ÷ avg. rate of transfer
e.g., For a 100-million m3 reservoir with equal input & output rates of 1 m3/sec
ARD = 100x106 m3/(1 m3/sec) = 1.0 x 108 sec = 3.2 yrs
Significance?
Recognition of earth systems, cycles, processes
Magnitude of cycle times
Rates of natural processes
Features of SystemsMost earth systems would appear to be open, and dynamic
BUT, natural cycles more closely represent combinations of “closed” systems, because materials are continuously recycled (water, gases, chemicals, etc.)
Most dynamic systems tend toward steady state (“balanced” dynamics; pseudo equilibrium)
What are some examples of systems in, or that influence, the environment?
System Feedback
Negative: System adjusts to changed conditions to reestablish “steady state”, e.g., river
Positive: Changes in a system that cause significant modifications of a system, and result in amplification of the changes
Feedback Examples
Off-road vehicle erosion = what type of feedback?
Slope modification, erosion, stability = what type of feedback?
Earth “System” Science Typically involves complex systems
Systems interact with one another
Interactions generally result in a “balance of nature” (steady state)
Types of “changes” Disturbances (flood, earthquake)
Threshold (resistance of a river bank)
Complex response (flood erosion)
Examples of complex systems, feedback, etc.?
Gaia Hypothesis
Life significantly affects the planetary environment, i.e., has dynamic vs. passive effects (feedback)
Life affects the environment for the betterment of life (regulation processes, e.g., plankton controls of atmospheric O2 and CO2)
Life controls the global environment (e.g., regulation via + and - feedback)
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Resource Limitations?The earth is the only place we can live that is now available/accessible to us
The earth’s resources are limited Some are renewable others aren’t
Two Views:1. Issue of resources is mainly one of our ability to figure out how to optimize
our utilization of them2. We are in a resource crisis because finite resources cannot sustain an
exponential population growth
Logical extrapolations?
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Uniformitarianism
“The past is the key to the present”
We can gain understanding of geologic processes, systems, etc. in the past by understanding how they work today
Examples: Mountain building/topography/landscape Erosion Water cycles Climate Relationships between life & environment
Uniformitarianism con’t
Key concept in interpreting geologic observations, e.g., Glacial processes Marine fossils on mountain tops Volcanism elsewhere in the solar system Ore, petroleum deposits
Key for using geologic knowledge to understand natural earth processes in historical and predictive modes
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Hazardous Earth Processes
Examples: Flooding Earthquakes Volcanism Landslides / mudslides
Dealing with natural hazards requires an understanding of the processes, factors, and their relationships to other earth systems
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
All geology can be considered environmental
The environment and our understanding of it, is rooted in geology (together with biology,etc.)
Understanding our environment requires a broad-based comprehension and appreciation of the earth sciences
Main factors in interdisciplinary environmental science:
Physical
Biological
(Chemical)
Human use and interest
Fundamental Concepts
1. Population Growth
2. Sustainability
3. Systems
4. Limitation of Resources
5. Uniformitarianism
6. Hazardous Earth Processes
7. Geology as a Basic Environmental Science
8. Obligation to the Future
Obligation to the Future
Effects of land use tend to be cumulative
This use, and what mankind continues do, have important implications for those who follow us
Example: Ducktown, Tenn.
Ducktown, TN
Chapter SummaryEnvironmental Geology = ?Consideration of time in geologic sciencesCultural basis for environmental degradation (explain) Ethical Economic Political Religious
Environmental problems not confined to any one political or social systemLand ethic = ?Immediate cause of environmental crisis: Overpopulation Urbanization Industrialization (what do these mean; what’s the relationship?)
Chapter Summary con’t
Environmental “Problems” mean what?
Solutions to environmental problems require what?
Scientific understanding (of what?)Fostering social, economic, and ethical
behavior to allow implementation (Explain)
Eight Fundamental Concepts1. Overpopulation = #1 environmental problem
2. Environmental objective = sustainability
3a The earth is (essentially) a closed system with respect to materials
3b Solutions to environmental problems include understanding of feedback and rates of change in systems
4a. The earth is the only sustainable habitat we have
4b. It’s resources are limited
5. Today’s physical processes are modifying our landscape (and environment), and have operated throughout geologic time; but magnitude and frequency are subject to natural and man-induced changes
6. Earth processes that are hazardous to people have always existed
7. An understanding of our environment requires an understanding of the earth sciences (and related disciplines)
8. The effects of land use tend to be cumulative. Thus, we have an obligation to those who follow us.
Learning Objectives
Meaning of “Environmental Geology”
Scientific Method
Cultural/Environmental Awareness
Environmental Ethics
Environmental Crisis?
Sustainability
Systems; Environmental Unity
Uniformitarianism