Test your Environmental IQ

Learning Targets:*Describe the purpose, methods and goals of Env. Science

*Compare and Contrast Env. Science and Environmentalism

*Define the 4 principles behind Environmental Sustainability

The Study ofEnvironmental Science

What Is Environmental Science?• The study of our planet’s

natural systems and how humans and the environment affect one another

• The environment includes all living and nonliving things with which organisms interact.

• Understanding the interactions between humans and the environment is the first step to solving environmental problems.National Marine Fisheries Service scientists

studying whether commercial boats are harming endangered killer whales

Environmental Science studies how

• the natural world works

• our environment affects us

• we affect our environment

Interactions between humans and the environment can take many forms

Interactions between humans and the environment can take many forms

Humans have a significant impact on the Earth and its resources

Env. Science is an Applied Science

• Information is used to identify and solve/manage problems that arise from the interactions of humans and the environment

Environmental Science field developed in response to the Environmental Movement Events of the mid- 1950’s raised the public’s awareness of environmental problems that threatened humans and other species

Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring 1962

Cuyahoga River Fire 1952

Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism

• Scientific field of study

• based on sound science principles

• Relies on unbiased, objective perspective.

Dr. Bryan Brook www.baylor.edu

Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism

• Social movement • May or may not be

based on sound science

• Sometimes based more on ignorance (lack of knowledge), misinformation and emotionalism.

Chipko movement 1970’s

• tree – hugger • An environmentalist or one

who believes trees and all living things should not be cut down or harmed. Someone who works to protect the environment from destruction or pollution. Often used derogatively - someone who is regarded as foolish or annoying because of their concern about protecting trees, animals, and other parts of the natural world from pollution and other threats

Chipko movement in 1970’s India

Env. Science uses an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving

Addresses complex problems requires input from multiple fields of study.

• Ecology – the study of interactions of living organisms with one another and with their environment. Foundation of Env. Science

• Economics – study of market economies

• Sociology – the manner in which people behave, their cultural values and beliefs

• Ethics – study of what is right and wrong

• Politics – making and enforcing laws

Fields that contribute to Env. Science

– A community decides to use local coal for electricity, as it is the cheapest source available and provides local folk with jobs. (Economics)

– The coal must be mined from under the soil. (Geology)

– The coal must be transported to the population center by road or rail. (Engineering)

– When it is burned at a power plant, air pollution is released. Some of that pollution is converted to acid in the atmosphere. (Chemistry)

– This falls as acid rain somewhere downwind. (Meteorology)

– The acid stresses plants by affecting their nutrient absorption. (Ecology)

– Laws are passed requiring the plant to install pollution scrubbers. (Politics) 19

Science doesn’t operate in a vacuum Addressing complex problems requires drawing on many

different disciplines

Politics ECONOMICS environmental science

Poverty Unfair trade

lack of education Soil Science

climatology

Sustainability is the Goal of E.S.

• Sustainability – condition in which human needs are met in such a way that the human population can survive indefinitely.

•   Healthy ecosystems and environments are necessary to the physical, economic and emotional well being of humans and other organisms.

Sustainability

• To achieve sustainability there must be  sustainable development within the four interconnected domains:

• Ecology, • Economics, • Politics and • Culture.

Four Ecological Principles of Sustainability

Studying Nature Reveals Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability

• Reliance on solar energy

• Maintaining high levels of Biodiversity

• Population control

• Nutrient cycling

Solutions For Environmental Sustainability

Sustainability Stewardship

Achieved through building Awareness Appreciation Activism

Achieving Sustainability

• Requires the coordinated efforts of many stakeholders which hold different values and perspectives on the environment, economics, politics and societal wants and needs (places to live, recreate)

• http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-colorado-river-runs-dry-61427169/?no-ist

The Fate of Easter IslandCan what happened on one South Pacific island serve as a cautionary tale for the planet as a whole?

Steps Involved in Making an Environmental Decision