OUR PLANET Unit 1-1a What is Environmental Science?

OUR PLANET

Unit 1-1aWhat is Environmental

Science?

Primary Scientific Fields

• Environmental Science – Studies the impact of human activities on the environment; It includes…• Biology – The study of living organisms• Chemistry – Studies chemical interactions• Physics – Studies matter and energy• Earth Science – Studies our planet’s non-living

systems• Social Sciences – The study of human populations

Why Environmental Science?

• Understand + solve environmental problems• 2 Main areas:– How we use natural resources– How our actions affect the environment

• Example: How the nesting behavior of bees is influenced by human activities, such as landscaping.

• Can you give any other examples?

The History of Homo Sapiens

Our modern society had a very humble beginning…

Hunter-Gatherers – Our ancestors collected plants and hunted animals for almost 200,000 years, driving somespecies to extinction

It was a difficult, nomadic lifesince people had to follow herdsand search for crops until thedevelopment of…

Agriculture – The ability to grow & breed plants creating the first farms over 10,000 years ago; Since then we learned…

Poor farming practices will eventually ruin the land!

The Evolution of Society

Agriculture sustained society until about 200 years ago, when people used fossil fuel energy instead of human and animal power. This began the…

Industrial Revolution – Using fossilfuels and machinery to improve ourquality of life while creating pollution

All three stages in society’sdevelopment have created seriousenvironmental problems leading tothe need for environmental science.

What actions are being taken now to ensureour planet is healthy for future generations?

Human Population• Can you verbally explain this graph? • What problems may result from the trends in human

population growth?

Current Threats to Our WorldEnvironmental Scientists have three concerns:

Loss of Resources – Non-renewable natural resources are being used faster than they can be replenished

Ex: Metals, Minerals, and Fossil Fuels

Increasing Pollution – Undesirablechanges in our environment

Ex: Ozone, Sewage & Styrofoam

Loss of Biodiversity – The numberand variety of species across theglobe are decreasing

What Is The Earth’s Future?

With over 6 billion people living on Earth…

How long can we last as our population continues to grow, resulting in less resources & more pollution?

Some people think of our planet as a spaceship, traveling through space with a limited amountof supplies and an increasing amountof waste.

Others think ofour planet as a

lifeboat that can only support a limited

number of people before its overburdened

and sinks.

Let’s Review…What have you learned in this unit?

1. Describe the five major fieldsthat make up environmental science.

2. What is the primary goal ofenvironmental scientists?

3. Describe the life of a personliving in a hunter-gatherer society.

4. What elements of society weremade possible by the developmentof agriculture?

5. What are some benefits anddrawbacks to the industrial revolution.

OUR PLANET

Unit 1-1bThe Environment

and Society

Protecting Our Local Environment

Because most of what is consider to be “the environment”is not privately owned, we create…

Tragedy of the Commons – People will take advantage of public resources for short-term gain

Ex: In a public field, farmers lettheir sheep overgraze because“If I don’t use the resources,then someone else would”.

Once property became private,farmers used their land better.

What would happen to a set of I-Pods if the schoolprovided them for classes to share during gym?

Protecting Our National EnvironmentIn our world, the distribution of resources is not equal, creating

regions of the haves and haves-nots.

Developed Countries – Those that have resources and industry to support social programs and personal wealthEx: United States, Japan, England & Australia

Developing Countries – Have less resources & low incomesEx: Most of South America, Africa & Eastern Asia

Countries build their wealth &economies based upon the…

Law of Supply and Demand –The greater the demand fora limited supply of something, the more it is worth

Ex: PS2, Tickle Me Elmo, Oil Prices

Protecting Our Global Environment

A major problem is that developed countries are using the world’s resources to support an extravagant quality of life!

Its evident in…• Sweatshops• Imported oil

Ask your neighbor to check your tag…How many of you have on a shirt made in the U.S.?

We must stop exploiting the world’s people & resources!

Ecological Footprint – Shows the area of Earth needed to support one person’s lifestyle in a particular country

Ecological Footprint GraphCan you verbally explain this graph?

Protecting Our Future

Sustainability – The condition in which human needs are met so that the human population can survive indefinitely

We are a long way off from sustainability sowhat ideas do you have for…• Conserving non-renewable resources, such as metals and oil• Reducing pollution• Improving the environment for all living things on Earth

Throughout this course you willlearn how you affect the worldand how your environment affects you!

Let’s Review…What have you learned in this unit?

1. What does the “tragedy of the commons” explain?

2. List four characteristics for a developed country.

3. Where are most developing countries found in the world?

4. Explain why developed countries might be unable to maintain their current quality of life.