In this presentation we will look at1. Defining Environmental Science2. Explaining the Goals of Environmental Science3. The Questions Environmental Scientist Seek to Answer4. The Applications of Environmental Science for Government and Business5. The Different Schools of Thought in Environmental Science6. Review assessments of Future of Civilization from the 18th Century and

Today

Welcome to SCI 204, Environmental Science

Introduction

What is Environmental Science?

Science is the pursuit of knowledge that is reliable. That means knowledge which is:

A. Credible (imperacly measured & tested)

B. Valid (logical, rational & believable)

C. Verified (repeatable & peer reviewed)The pursuit of reliable knowledge requires a systematic

process or methodology, including:

1. Hypothesis2. Observation(an expieriment is a controlled observation)3. Analysis4. Conclusion5. Theory

Environmental Science is…Environmental Science is: The study of relationships Between Earth Systems, including…

It’s atmosphere (the source of what we breathe)It’s biosphere (the source of what we eat)It’s hydrosphere (the source of what we drink)It’s Lithosphere (the place where we live & and

the natural resources we consume)And any and all others.

And Human activities, particularly environmental stressors, includingPollutionDegradation and depletionBiodiversity & ecological health andSustainability

ES is closely related to…ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IS CLOSELY RELATED TO

(But not the same as)

ECOLOGY: Is the relationship of living organisms (the biotic) to one another and to elements of their nonliving surroundings (the abiotic)

EARTH SCIENCE:Is the knowledge study of Earth’s repositories and their relationshipwith one another. This includes:A. The Atmosphere (includes weather and climate)B. The Cryosphere (the Ice Caps and Glaciation)C. The Geosphere (rocks and the earth’s interior)D. The Hydrosphere (water and its various states)E. The Lithosphere (The earths surface)F. The Pedosphere (soil and soil composition)

The Goal of ES is to…THE GOAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IS TO:

Describe,Explain,Predict, andManage Earth’s Systems

AND TO: Acquire reliable knowledge of the global environment For the benefit of civilization.

ES questions and application…ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS ASK THE QUESTIONS:

1. How are earth systems changing?2. What’s causing the change?3. What natural & human factors effect the change?4. How will the change imapct Earth Systems in the future?5. How will these changes impact human civilization?6. What options are available to control such change for our benefit?

THE APPLICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE IS THE PRODUCTION OF ACCURATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ANALYSES,WHICH PRESENT:

1. Proposal2. Need and benefit3. Consequences4. Alternatives5. Analysis6. Recommendation

An Environmental Impact Analysis is intended as a careful evaluation of the Benefits vs. the Risk of an imposed change on a present environment (e.g the construction of a building, dam or road, etc…)

An Environmental Impact Analysis is intended as a careful evaluation of the Benefits vs. the Risk of an imposed change on a present environment (e.g the construction of a building, dam or road, etc…)

One way to understand Environmental Impact is in termsof an Ecological Footprint—An Ecological Footprintrefers to:

1. What it requires of the Earth and its resources to sustain a person2. A community of people3. A nation of people

Ecological Footprints measure 1. What we consciously consume (what we may purchase) 2. But also what we consume from the public domain

(our parts in the tragedy of the commons)

Thomas Malthus 1798In 1798 Thomas Malthus published an essay on The Principles of Population, in which he assertedA. Food production increases arithmeticallyB. Humans reproduce increases exponentially

His conclusion was that premature death for humanswas necessary and unavoidable.

TIME

QUANT ITY

Crises

HumanPopulation

FoodProduction

Crises resulted in wars, disease, famine and death.

Thomas Malthus TodayTODAY, Environmental Scientists speak ofPrinciples of Population in terms of:

A. Biotic Potential the growth potential of a population whereenvironmental limitations do not exist…

B. Carrying Capacitythe environmental resistance acts strongly enough as to stop population growth…

In addition, rather than limiting the hypothesis to food vs. population,Environmental Scientists apply it to all ecological footprints andenvironmentally limiting factors.

Three schools of ES…THERE ARE THREE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WITHIN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

1. Preservationists (It’s not nice to fool mother nature)2. Conservationists (Mother nature does it best)3. Futurists or Progressives (Can’t always follow what mother said)

AS ENVIRONMENTALISTS, ALL ARE CONCERNED TO:Provide information that will enable human kind to pursue sustainable development in the world, choosing technologiesand lifestyles that will sustain all aspects of our daily lives, including:

Relationships (including business & government)VocationsHealth and Life QualityEquitable Wealth, and Re-Creation (individual & collective growth)

Strive to keep this…Ultimatly, Environmental Scientists are striving to keep this…

Avoid this…From becoming this.