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Environmental Science and

Sustainability Chapter 1

After this lecture, you will be able to: Define the term environmental and describe the

field of environmental science

Explain the importance of natural resources and ecosystem services to our lives

Discuss the consequences of population growth and resource consumption

Describe the steps of the scientific method

Understand the nature and importance of science and characterize aspects of the process of science

Compare and contrast various approaches in environmental ethics

Diagnose and illustrate major pressures on the global environment

Articulate the concepts of sustainability and sustainable development

Our island, Earth

The Earth is finite in

nature

We can change

the Earth and damage its systems

The environment is composed of all the

living and nonliving things around us

People exist within the environment

Humans depend on a healthy, functioning planet

We are part of the natural

world, and are changing it

We depend completely on

the environment for survival

Increased health, longer

lives, wealth, less conflict with better

environmental conditions

Environmental changes

threaten our long-term

well-being and survival as a species

Environmental science explores our interactions with the world

Environmental science is the study of:

How the natural world works

How the environment affects humans

and vice versa

We need to understand our interactions

with the environment to creatively solve environmental problems

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We rely on natural resources We rely on ecosystem services Ecosystem services: arise from the normal functioning of

natural services and allow us to survive

Purify air and water, cycle nutrients, regulate

climate

Pollinate plants, receive and recycle wastes

Human population growth amplifies impacts Resource consumption per

capita has also increased

“Tragedy of the Commons” may contribute to overuse

• Idea developed by Garrett Hardin in 1968

• Posits that unregulated exploitation of public resources leads to depletion and

damage

• Resource users are motivated by self-

interest and increase use for personal gain until the resource is gone

• Benefits go to the exploitative resource

user, costs go to rest of population

Tragedy of the Commons Example

Scenario

Shared grazing land can support a total of 50 cows without environmental impacts

Available grass supports 1000 kg milk/day

Assume 20 farmers each with 5 cows

How much milk will each farmer get?

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Resource exploiter

“Cheater” puts out 7 cows instead of 5 Available grass still

supports only 1000 kg milk/day

How much milk will each farmer get now?

Cheating will occur without some kind of regulation of activities

Our public resources are essentially “commons”

Ecological footprint measures

consumption

The area of biologically productive land +

water to supply resources and dispose/recycle

waste

Ecological footprint varies with group

Overshoot

Humans have surpassed Earth’s capacity

to sustainably support us

We are using renewable resources 50%

faster than they are being replenished

Environmental science provides solutions

Civilizations have fallen

when population growth and

consumption overwhelm resource availability

The applied goal is to

solve environmental problems

Case study of Easter Island Environmental science is multidisciplinary and integrative in

nature

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Environmental science is not environmentalism • Environmental science is

the pursuit of knowledge about the environment

and our interactions with it

Scientists try to remain

objective and free from bias, personal values and

preconceptions

• Environmentalism is a social

movement

Rife with ideology

What is science?

The nature of science

Science is a systematic

process for learning about the world and testing our

understanding of it

Science includes the body of knowledge arising from the dynamic process of

questioning, observation, testing, discovery

Can only answer questions

about measurable phenomena

Science tests ideas by examining evidence

Scientists do not

accept proposed explanations until

there is substantial evidence to support them

Scientists are skeptical by nature

and practice critical thinking

Scientific approaches

Observational (descriptive) science: information is gathered about organisms, systems, processes, etc.

Cannot be manipulated by experiments

Phenomena are observed and measured

Used in astronomy and paleontology for example

Hypothesis-driven science: targeted, structured research

Experiments test hypotheses using the scientific method

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The scientific process goes

beyond the scientific method itself

Reproducibility

is necessary

Grant writing for

funding

Hypothesis and theory

An hypothesis is a conditional explanation

After systematic testing, scientists either accept or reject the hypothesis

When a large amount of evidence and many tests support a hypothesis and a majority of experts have reached general consensus, we call it a scientific theory

• With more data, scientific interpretations can

change with a paradigm shift

Example: Earth, not the sun, is the center of the universe

Pseudoscience

A common tactic in combating scientific

evidence is to use scientific uncertainty as a an excuse to postpone or reverse an

action supported by the current scientific evidence

Some use scientific jargon or a scientific

approach for validation

Creation Museum

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Environmental ethics

Ethics is a branch of philosophy:

Morals: Distinction between right and wrong

Values: Ultimate worth of actions or things

Environmental ethics deals with the moral relationships between humans and the surrounding

world

Different cultures or worldviews lead to different values, leading to different “right or wrong”

actions

Ethical viewpoints

Relativists: ethics varies with social

context

Universalists: notions of right and

wrong remain the same across

cultures and situations

Morality

Moral Agents - Beings capable of acting morally

or immorally, and who can accept responsibility for their acts

Humans

Moral Subjects - Beings who are not moral

agents, but who have moral interests and can be treated rightly or wrongly

Children

Moral extensionism

Widening

definition of who is

considered ethically significant

Animal rights

Ethical standards

Ethical standards: criteria that help

differentiate right from wrong

Categorical imperative: the “Golden Rule,” which tells us to treat others as we

want to be treated

Utility: principle holding that the right action is the one that produces the most

benefits for the most people

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Is finning an ethical practice?

1 2 3

33% 33%33%1. Yes, fin soup is very

good and people need to make a living.

2. Sort of. I would find it more acceptable if they wasted less.

3. No. Sharks are at the top of the food chain and cannot be fished sustainably in this manner due to their small population sizes. Alternative foods or fishing methods should be found.

Should we conserve

resources for future

generations?

Is it OK for some

communities to be exposed

to excess pollution?

Should we drive other

species to extinction?

Is it OK to destroy a

forest to create jobs

for people?

Valuing nature

Intrinsic (Inherent, Innate) - Worth or value

simply because of existence

Humans

Instrumental (Utilitarian, Conferred) - Worth or value only because they are valued by

someone who matters

Tools

Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, Hinduism

Biocentricism - All living things have

intrinsic value

Christianity, Judaism and Islam

Anthropocentric - Human-centered

Genesis 1:28 (Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,

and subdue it: and have

dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and

over every living thing that

moveth upon the earth.”)

Stewardship viewpoint -

Custodian of resources

How do you value nature?

1 2 3 4

25% 25%25%25%1. All living beings have

value, whether they are used or not.

2. While nature has value for how it benefits humans, it has greater value in and of itself.

3. While nature has value due to its existence, it has greater value for how it can benefit humans.

4. Nature has value only for how it benefits humans.

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Expanding ethical consideration The preservation ethic

Nature deserves

protection for its own inherent value

We should protect

our environment in a pristine, unaltered

state

The conservation ethic

Use natural

resources wisely

A utilitarian standard that calls

for using resources for the greatest

good for the most people for the

longest time

The land ethic

Healthy ecological systems depend on protecting all parts

We are obligated to treat the land ethically

The land ethic will help guide decision making

A thing is right when it preserves the biotic community

View people and land as members o fhte same community

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Environmental justice

Environmental justice combines civil rights and

environmental protection to demand a safe, healthy environment for all people, regardless of

income or ethnicity

People of color around the world are subjected to

a disproportionately high level of environmental health risks

Toxic colonialism

Toxic colonialism - Targeting poor communities in

areas or countries for waste disposal and/or experimentation

Native American Reservations

Moving operations to countries where

environmental regulations are lax

Sustainability and our future

Sustainability is living within our planet’s means

Earth can sustain humans AND all life for

the future

Leaving our descendants with a rich, full

world

Conserving resources for future

generations

Developing solutions that work in the long term

Requires keeping fully functioning ecological systems

We cannot sustain human civilization without sustaining Earth’s natural systems

Earth’s resources are like a bank account

If we deplete resources, we draw down the account

Natural capital is the accumulated wealth of

Earth’s resources

We are withdrawing our planet’s natural

capital 50% faster than it is being produced

We must live off nature’s interest – its replenishable

resources – to be sustainable

Drawing down resources faster than they are

replaced eats into nature’s capital

We cannot do this for long

We are increasing our burden on the planet

Human population growth amplifies all environmental impacts

We add over 200,000 people to the planet

each day

Our consumption of resources has risen even faster

Life has become more pleasant for us

But rising consumption increases the demands we make on our environment

Increased affluence has not been equal

The gap between rich and poor countries has

tripled in the past 40 years

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Ecological footprints are

not all equal

The ecological

footprints of countries vary

greatly

The U.S. footprint is much greater than

those developing countries

Increased population and consumption cause:

Erosion from agriculture

Deforestation

Toxic substances

Mineral extraction and mining

Depletion of fresh water

Air and water pollution

Global climate change

Loss of Earth’s biodiversity

Humans have heavily influenced the U.S.

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The 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment

The most comprehensive scientific

assessment of the condition of the world’s ecological systems

And their capacity to continue supporting us

2,000 leading environmental scientists found:

Our degradation of environmental systems is having negative impacts on all of us

With care and diligence we can still turn many of these trends around

Sustainable solutions abound

Sustainable solutions must:

Enhance quality of life

Protect and restore the

environment that supports

us

Many solutions exist:

Renewable energy sources

Improved agricultural

practices

Habitat and species

protection

Reduced emissions

of greenhouse gases

Sustainable development

We must use resources to satisfy our needs But leave enough resources for the future

Satisfies the triple bottom line –

environmental, economic, and social goals are all met

We must limit our environmental impact while promoting economic development and social justice Make an ethical commitment to current

and future generations

Apply science to solve problems

The term environment includes which of the following

a) b) c) d) e)

20% 20% 20%20%20%a)Living things, such as animals and plants

b) Nonliving things, such as rivers and soil

c) Oceans, rivers, streams

d) Buildings and cities

e) All of the above are

included in this term

The job of an environmental scientist is

most likely to involve which of the

following?

a) b) c) d) e)

20% 20% 20%20%20%

a)Pursuing knowledge to understand the natural

world

b) Leading a social

movement to protect the environment

c) Advocating for the environment in Congress

d) Showing bias during a newspaper interview

e) Joining in a protest to clean up a polluted river

Which is the correct order of the scientific method?

a) b) c) d) e)

20% 20% 20%20%20%

a)Observation-hypothesis-predictions-testing-results

b) Hypothesis-observation-testing-predictions-results

c) Observation-predictions-testing-results-hypothesis

d) Predictions-observation-hypothesis-testing-results

e) Hypothesis-observation-

predictions-testing-results

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An ecocentric worldview would consider the impact of an action

on

1 2 3 4 5

20% 20% 20%20%20%

a) Plants only

b) Animals only

c) Humans only

d) All living things

e) Whole ecological systems

The concept that stealing jewelry is bad whereas stealing a loaf of

bread may not be bad is related

to a

1 2 3 4 5

20% 20% 20%20%20%

a) Preservation ethic

b) Relativist ethic

c) Conservation ethic

d) Universalist ethic

e) Biocentric ethic

What is the definition of sustainable development?

a) b) c) d) e)

20% 20% 20%20%20%a)Using resources to benefit future generations, even if it

means current people suffer

b) Letting future generations figure out how to solve their

own problems

c) Letting each country decide

what is its best interest

d) Using resources to satisfy

current needs without

compromising future availability

e) Increasing economic output

even if it harms the environment

Do you think it is ethical for the United States to have the largest

ecological footprint in the world?

1 2 3 4 5

20% 20% 20%20%20%1. Yes, because we find the

most new technologies

and resources

2. Yes, because the footprint of the United States is not

really that large

3. Definitely not; people in the

U.S. should feel obligated

to reduce their footprint

4. The U.S. does not have the

world’s largest footprint

5. It doesn’t matter; it’s not

that important

According to this graph,

what has happened to the population over the

last 500 years?

1 2 3 4 5

20% 20% 20%20%20%1. It has grown

enormously.

2. It has grown faster than

food production

3. Population never

recovered from the Black Plague.

4. It has slowed down recently.

5. It has stayed the same.

How can I

be

successful

in this

course?

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How strong is your commitment to do well in this course?

Ver

y st

rong

– I w

ant .

.

Pre

tty

stro

ng - A B

is...

I’m

OK w

ith a

C

I’m

OK w

ith a

pas

sing.

.

0% 0%0%0%

1. Very strong – I want to work for an A

2. Pretty strong - A B is good.

3. I’m OK with a C

4. I’m OK with a passing D grade

Do you have a regular study space that minimizes distractions and encourages concentration?

I hav

e a

dedic

ated

stu

..

I usu

ally

stu

dy in

a s

...

I usu

ally

stu

dy w

ith a

t...

I ca

n mul

ti-ta

sk w

hile

...

0% 0%0%0%

1. I have a dedicated study space free of distractions

2. I usually study in a space free of distractions

3. I usually study with at least one distraction

4. I can multi-task while studying

Do you study in a group?

I al

way

s st

udy in

a g

...

I usu

ally

stu

dy in

a ..

.

I ra

rely

stu

dy in

a g

roup

I nev

er s

tudy

in a

gro

up

0% 0%0%0%

1. I always study in a group

2. I usually study in a group

3. I rarely study in a group

4. I never study in a group

How well do you manage your time (e.g., do you always complete assignments just before they are due)

I st

udy

the

mat

eria

l fo...

I usu

ally

sta

rt s

tudyi

n...

I usu

ally

sta

rt s

tudyi

ng..

I usu

ally

sta

rt s

tudyi

n...

I am

a c

omple

te c

ra...

0% 0% 0%0%0%

1. I study the material for the exam every day

2. I usually start studying two weeks in advance

3. I usually start studying a week in advance

4. I usually start studying for an exam two days before the exam

5. I am a complete crammer

How effective are you at reading and note-taking (e.g, do you remember what you read and can you decipher your notes)?

I am

a v

ery

good re

ad..

I am

OK a

t rea

ding a

n...

My

read

ing a

nd note

-...

I ra

rely

rea

d or ta

ke n

...

0% 0%0%0%

1. I am a very good reader

and note-taker

2. I am OK at reading and

note-taking

3. My reading and note-

taking could use some work

4. I rarely read or take notes

Do you attend class regularly and listen

for instructions and important ideas?

I am

alw

ays

atte

ntive.

..

I pay

atten

tion in

cla

s...

Som

etim

es I

have

tro...

Isn’t

lect

ure fo

r sle

e...

0% 0%0%0%

1. I am always attentive and

interested in class

2. I pay attention in class for

the most part

3. Sometimes I have trouble

concentrating on the lecture

4. Isn’t lecture for sleeping?

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Do you participate actively in class discussion and ask meaningful

questions?

I al

way

s par

ticip

ate

c...

I usu

ally

par

ticip

ate

in...

I co

uld s

peak

up more

...

I nev

er s

peak

during ..

.

0% 0%0%0%

1. I always participate

constructively in class activities

2. I usually participate in class activities

3. I could speak up more often

4. I never speak during class

Do you regularly read your text or do you wait to read it before an

exam?

I re

gularly

re...

I re

ad th

e te

x...

I ra

rely

rea

d ...

I don’t

read

t...

Wha

t tex

t?

0% 0% 0%0%0%

1. I regularly read the

text

2. I read the text now

and again

3. I rarely read the text

4. I don’t read the text

unless I have to

5. What text?

Are you usually prepared for classes with

questions about material that needs clarification?

I bri

ng a

ques...

I usu

ally

ask

...

I get

my

quest..

.

I ra

rely

ask

f...

0% 0%0%0%

1. I bring a question to each

class

2. I usually ask a question

when I have one

3. I get my questions

answered in office hours

4. I rarely ask for clarification on course material

How do you handle text anxiety?

I hav

e no p

roble

m c

o...

I’m

a b

it on e

dge dur

i..

I am

a n

ervo

us w

reck

0% 0%0%

1. I have no problem

concentrating during exams

2. I’m a bit on edge during exams

3. I am a nervous wreck

Do you actively evaluate how you are doing in a course and adjust your effort accordingly?

I am

in c

onstan

t cont..

.

I usu

ally

hav

e so

me

i...

I don’t

keep

up w

ith e

...

I usu

ally

just

use

the.

..

0% 0%0%0%

1. I am in constant contact with my instructor when I am not doing well in a course and try new techniques for success if necessary

2. I usually have some idea how I’m doing and try to do better

3. I don’t keep up with evaluating my progress as much as I should

4. I usually just use the same strategy for success that has served me well in other courses and hope for the best

How can I be successful in this course? Answer: It’s up to you!

Develop good study habits

Use textbook and online resources effectively

Practice critical thinking

Ask questions!