Introducing Environmental Science Introducing Environmental Science and Stabilityand Stability

Overview Overview

o Human Impacts on The EnvironmentHuman Impacts on The Environmento Population, Resources and the Population, Resources and the

EnvironmentEnvironmento Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental Sustainabilityo Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Scienceo Assessing Environmental ProblemsAssessing Environmental Problems

Theme: InterconnectednessTheme: Interconnectedness

o Study of the Environment and the Study of the Environment and the human interaction with it.human interaction with it.

o Interdisciplinary InvestigationsInterdisciplinary Investigations• Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology,

Meteorology, Mathematics, Economics, Meteorology, Mathematics, Economics, Politics, History, Ethics, etc.Politics, History, Ethics, etc.

• (1) How does the earth work?(1) How does the earth work?• (2) How are we effecting the earth?(2) How are we effecting the earth?• (3) How do we deal with current (3) How do we deal with current

environmental problems?environmental problems?

The two sidesThe two sides

o Earth providesEarth provides

1. solar capital – energy1. solar capital – energy

2. natural capital – all other 2. natural capital – all other resourcesresources

3. energy Resources3. energy Resourceso Humans needHumans need

1. basic common needs1. basic common needs

2. Food, Water, Air, Shelter2. Food, Water, Air, Shelter

The Environment (Earth)The Environment (Earth)

o Life has existed on earth for 3.8 billion Life has existed on earth for 3.8 billion yearsyears

o Earth well suited for lifeEarth well suited for life• Water covers ¾ of planetWater covers ¾ of planet• Habitable temperatureHabitable temperature• Moderate sunlightModerate sunlight• Atmosphere provides oxygen and carbon Atmosphere provides oxygen and carbon

dioxidedioxide• Soil provides essential minerals for plantsSoil provides essential minerals for plants

o But humans are altering the planet; not But humans are altering the planet; not always in positive waysalways in positive ways

Human Impacts on Environment- Human Impacts on Environment- PopulationPopulation

o Earth’s Human Earth’s Human Population is over 6 Population is over 6 billionbillion• Growing exponentiallyGrowing exponentially

o Expected to add Expected to add several billion more several billion more people in 21people in 21stst century century

o Increase will adversely Increase will adversely affect living conditions affect living conditions in many areas of the in many areas of the worldworld

PopulationPopulation

o Globally, 1 in 4 people Globally, 1 in 4 people lives in extreme lives in extreme poverty poverty • Cannot meet basic need Cannot meet basic need

for food, clothing, for food, clothing, shelter, healthshelter, health

o Difficult to meet Difficult to meet population needs population needs without exploiting without exploiting earth’s resourcesearth’s resources

Gap Between Rich and Poor Gap Between Rich and Poor (haves versus have nots)(haves versus have nots)

o Highly Developed Countries (HDC)Highly Developed Countries (HDC)• Complex industrialized bases, low population growth, Complex industrialized bases, low population growth,

high per capita incomeshigh per capita incomes• Ex: US, Canada, JapanEx: US, Canada, Japan• 1.2 billion people (19% world population)1.2 billion people (19% world population)• 85% wealth, 88% resource use, 75% pollution85% wealth, 88% resource use, 75% pollution

o Less Developed Countries (LDC)Less Developed Countries (LDC)• Low level of industrialization, very high fertility rate, high Low level of industrialization, very high fertility rate, high

infant mortality rate, low per capita incomeinfant mortality rate, low per capita income• Ex: Bangladesh, Mali, EthiopiaEx: Bangladesh, Mali, Ethiopia• 5 billion people (81% of world population)5 billion people (81% of world population)• 15% wealth, 12% resource use, 25% pollution15% wealth, 12% resource use, 25% pollution

World Population DistributionWorld Population Distribution

Increases in GlobalizationIncreases in Globalizationo Process of Global social, economic and Process of Global social, economic and

environmental change that increases environmental change that increases integration of the worldintegration of the world

o 1950-2002 1950-2002 Global trade 5 Global trade 516%, 16%, o Technological connection – 1/11 people Technological connection – 1/11 people

in world on the internetin world on the interneto Environment – organisms transported Environment – organisms transported

around globe, pollutants in environmentaround globe, pollutants in environment

OverpopulationOverpopulation

o People overpopulationPeople overpopulation• Too many people in a given geographic Too many people in a given geographic

areaarea• Problem in many developing nationsProblem in many developing nations

o Consumption overpopulationConsumption overpopulation• Each individual in a population consumes Each individual in a population consumes

too large a share of the resourcestoo large a share of the resources• Problem in many highly developed nationsProblem in many highly developed nations

Types of Natural ResourcesTypes of Natural Resources

Ecological FootprintEcological Footprinto The average amount of land, water and The average amount of land, water and

ocean required to provide that person with all ocean required to provide that person with all the resources they consumethe resources they consume

Earth’s Productive Land and WaterEarth’s Productive Land and Water 11.4 billion 11.4 billion hectareshectares

Amount Each Person is Allotted Amount Each Person is Allotted (divide Productive Land and Water (divide Productive Land and Water by Human Population)by Human Population)

1.9 hectares1.9 hectares

Current Global Ecological Footprint Current Global Ecological Footprint of each personof each person

2.3 hectares2.3 hectares

Ecological Footprint ComparisonEcological Footprint Comparison

IPAT ModelIPAT Model

o Measures 3 factors that affect Measures 3 factors that affect environmental impact (I)environmental impact (I)

I = P A TI = P A T

Environmental Environmental ImpactImpact

Number Number of peopleof people

Affluence per Affluence per personperson

Environmental Environmental effect of effect of

technologiestechnologies

We are Polluting our PlanetWe are Polluting our Planeto Pollution = any addition to water air or Pollution = any addition to water air or

soil that threatens the health, activities soil that threatens the health, activities or survival of any organismor survival of any organism

1. enter environment naturally - 1. enter environment naturally - volcanoesvolcanoes

2. anthropogenic sources - automobiles2. anthropogenic sources - automobiles

3. Point vs. Nonpoint sources3. Point vs. Nonpoint sourceso How are we minimizing pollution How are we minimizing pollution

effects?effects?

Endocrine DisruptersEndocrine Disrupters

• Dozens of widely used industrial and Dozens of widely used industrial and environmental chemicals are known to environmental chemicals are known to be be endocrine disruptersendocrine disrupters

• E.D.’s mimic or interfere with the E.D.’s mimic or interfere with the actions of the endocrine system (body’s actions of the endocrine system (body’s hormones)hormones)

• Scientific evidence suggests E.D.’s Scientific evidence suggests E.D.’s affect humans in the same ways that affect humans in the same ways that they affect animalsthey affect animals

1980 DDT spill in Lake Apopka1980 DDT spill in Lake Apopka

o In 1980 there was large chemical spill In 1980 there was large chemical spill of DDT in Lake Apopkaof DDT in Lake Apopka

o Alligators born after the spill have Alligators born after the spill have abnormalities in their reproiductive abnormalities in their reproiductive systems.systems.

o The result: 90% decline in alligator The result: 90% decline in alligator populationpopulationNational Center for Environmental Research

Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental Sustainabilityo The ability to meet current human need The ability to meet current human need

for natural resources without for natural resources without compromising the needs of future compromising the needs of future generationsgenerations

o Requires understanding:Requires understanding:• The effects of our actions on the earthThe effects of our actions on the earth• That earth’s resources are not infiniteThat earth’s resources are not infinite

Is our Society Sustainable?Is our Society Sustainable?

o No readily accepted viewNo readily accepted view-- Humans are smart enough to deal with what -- Humans are smart enough to deal with what ever problems the degradation of earth ever problems the degradation of earth may throw at usmay throw at us• We are in serious trouble and on our current We are in serious trouble and on our current

course the environment will be destroyed course the environment will be destroyed beyond repair in the near futurebeyond repair in the near future

o A clash of worldviews – how we see the A clash of worldviews – how we see the world, and ethics – the right and wrong world, and ethics – the right and wrong environmental behaviorenvironmental behavior

The WorldviewsThe Worldviews

Planetary Planetary ManagementManagement

o We’re in charge of We’re in charge of naturenature

o Resources are Resources are unlimitedunlimited

o All growth is goodAll growth is goodo Our success Our success depends on our depends on our

controlcontrol

Environmental Environmental ManagementManagement

o Nature doesn’t just Nature doesn’t just exist for usexist for us

o Resources are Resources are limitedlimited

o Growth may be badGrowth may be bado Success depends on Success depends on

acting with env. acting with env. wisdomwisdom

The 2002 World Summit: Adoption of AGENDA 21 (focus on sustainable development)

Potential changes for the FuturePotential changes for the Future

1.1. Pollution prevention not Clean upPollution prevention not Clean up

2.2. Waste reduction not DisposalWaste reduction not Disposal

3.3. Protecting habitats not SpeciesProtecting habitats not Species

4.4. Environmental restoration not Environmental restoration not DegradationDegradation

5.5. More efficient resource use not More efficient resource use not increased useincreased use

6.6. Population stabilization not GrowthPopulation stabilization not Growth

Eras of US Environmental Eras of US Environmental HistoryHistory

o Tribal = ??? – 1600Tribal = ??? – 1600

o Frontier = 1607 - 1890Frontier = 1607 - 1890

o Conservation = 1832 - 1960Conservation = 1832 - 1960

o Environmental = 1960 - 2002Environmental = 1960 - 2002

The Tribal EraThe Tribal Era

o 5-10 million tribal people5-10 million tribal peopleo Native Americans were hunter-Native Americans were hunter-

gatherers, also burned and cleared gatherers, also burned and cleared fields to plant cropsfields to plant crops

o Small populations and Limited Small populations and Limited TechnologyTechnology

o Deep respect for the lands and animals Deep respect for the lands and animals and did not believe in land ownershipand did not believe in land ownership

The Frontier EraThe Frontier Era

o Frontier Ethic and Imminent DomainFrontier Ethic and Imminent Domain• Wilderness should be conquered and brought Wilderness should be conquered and brought

under human control (savage wilderness)under human control (savage wilderness)

o Transfer of public lands to private Transfer of public lands to private interestsinterests

o Place Native Americans on reservations Place Native Americans on reservations (4% of US land)(4% of US land)

o Sell off much of land for cheap interests Sell off much of land for cheap interests like mining, ranching, etclike mining, ranching, etc

The Conservation EraThe Conservation Era

o Alarm starts at the scope of resource Alarm starts at the scope of resource depletion and environmental depletion and environmental degradationdegradation

o 1890’s – Forest Reserve Act, formation 1890’s – Forest Reserve Act, formation of the Sierra Clubof the Sierra Club

o Theodore Rosevelt – 1901-9 “The Golden Theodore Rosevelt – 1901-9 “The Golden Age of Conservation – Age of Conservation – National Wildlife National Wildlife Refuge system (Pelican Is. FL), National Park Refuge system (Pelican Is. FL), National Park systemsystem

o FDR – 1930’s – Dams built (electricity, FDR – 1930’s – Dams built (electricity, irrigation), Soil conservation actirrigation), Soil conservation act

War and DepressionWar and Depression

o Republicans allowed public land for Republicans allowed public land for business to try and boost economy business to try and boost economy • Creation of CCC (civilian conservation Creation of CCC (civilian conservation

corps) 2 million unemployed working to corps) 2 million unemployed working to • Plant trees Plant trees • Create/maintain parks Create/maintain parks • Restore waterways Restore waterways • Build levees and dams Build levees and dams • Protect wildlife Protect wildlife • Control soil erosionControl soil erosion

The Environmental EraThe Environmental Era

o 1962 – Publication of 1962 – Publication of Silent SpringSilent Spring by by Rachel CarsonRachel Carson

o Beginning of the modern environmental Beginning of the modern environmental movementmovement

GOALSGOALS

1.1. Curtail pollutionCurtail pollution

2.2. Clean up polluted environmentsClean up polluted environments

3.3. Protect pristine areas from degradationProtect pristine areas from degradation

1960’s1960’s

o The 1960’s brought some devastating The 1960’s brought some devastating environmental problems environmental problems

o Cuyahoga river so polluted it catches Cuyahoga river so polluted it catches fire fire

o 300 die from severe air pollution in New 300 die from severe air pollution in New York York

o Detergents causing some streams to Detergents causing some streams to become “bubble baths” become “bubble baths”

o Oil spill in Santa Barbara kills wildlife Oil spill in Santa Barbara kills wildlife and pollutes beaches and pollutes beaches

1970’s1970’s

The GoodThe Good

• President Carter – President Carter – environmental environmental

• Tripled National Tripled National Wilderness System Wilderness System

• Appointed Appointed conservationistsconservationists to to EPAEPA

o Earth Day – April 20, Earth Day – April 20, 1970 1970

o OPEC oil embargo OPEC oil embargo occurs 1973 occurs 1973

o Lead poisoning Act – Lead poisoning Act – paint out of toys paint out of toys

o Clean water Act – Clean water Act – protects rivers/streams protects rivers/streams

The Bad and the UglyThe Bad and the Ugly

o Love canal – toxic Love canal – toxic waste tragedywaste tragedy

1980’s1980’s

• President Reagan – President Reagan – not environmental not environmental

• Sage brush rebellion Sage brush rebellion – less federal control – less federal control

• Cut funding for Cut funding for renewable energy renewable energy

• Lowered air and Lowered air and water quality water quality standards standards

• Appointed anti Appointed anti environmental environmental people to key postspeople to key posts

1990’s1990’s

o Disappointing for EnvironmentalistsDisappointing for Environmentalists• Fighting efforts to weaken the reforms of Fighting efforts to weaken the reforms of

the 70’s and 80’sthe 70’s and 80’s• Countering claims that environmental Countering claims that environmental

problems were hoaxesproblems were hoaxes• Membership in conservation groups Membership in conservation groups

declineddeclined

o ButBut local environmental interest at local environmental interest at schools, colleges and communities has schools, colleges and communities has strengthenedstrengthened

2000’s and beyond2000’s and beyond

Our agenda must includeOur agenda must include

1.1. Water crisis at home and globallyWater crisis at home and globally

2.2. Continued population growthContinued population growth

3.3. Continued biodiversity lossesContinued biodiversity losses

4.4. Threats to global climate changeThreats to global climate change

5.5. Increase preserved land areasIncrease preserved land areas

6.6. Halt urban sprawlHalt urban sprawl

7.7. Build public supportBuild public support

Tragedy of the Tragedy of the CommonsCommons

o Garrett Hardin (1915-2003)Garrett Hardin (1915-2003)o Solving Environmental Problems is Solving Environmental Problems is

result of struggle between:result of struggle between:• Short term welfareShort term welfare• Long term environmental stability and Long term environmental stability and

societal welfaresocietal welfare

o Garrett used Common Pastureland in Garrett used Common Pastureland in medieval Europe to illustrate the medieval Europe to illustrate the strugglestruggle

Your ChallengeYour Challenge

This course will not tell you how This course will not tell you how to think about the environment. to think about the environment.

Rather it will provide you with Rather it will provide you with the background information the background information necessary to make your own necessary to make your own decision about how you will decision about how you will

impact the environment in the impact the environment in the future.future.

Environmental ScienceEnvironmental Science

o An An interdisciplinaryinterdisciplinary study of human relationship study of human relationship with other organisms and the earth which includeswith other organisms and the earth which includes• BiologyBiology• EcologyEcology• GeographyGeography• ChemistryChemistry• GeologyGeology• PhysicsPhysics• EconomicsEconomics• SociologySociology• DemographyDemography• politicspolitics

Earth As a SystemEarth As a System

o SystemSystem• A set of components that interact and function A set of components that interact and function

as a wholeas a wholeo Global Earth SystemsGlobal Earth Systems

• Climate, atmosphere, land, coastal zones, Climate, atmosphere, land, coastal zones, oceanocean

o EcosystemEcosystem• A natural system consisting of a community of A natural system consisting of a community of

organisms and its physical environmentorganisms and its physical environmento System approach to environmental scienceSystem approach to environmental science

• Helps us understand how human activities Helps us understand how human activities effect global environmental parameterseffect global environmental parameters

Earth SystemsEarth Systems

o Most of earth’s systems are in dynamic Most of earth’s systems are in dynamic equilibrium or steady stateequilibrium or steady state• Rate of change in one direction equals that Rate of change in one direction equals that

in the otherin the othero FeedbackFeedback

• Change in 1 part of system leads to change Change in 1 part of system leads to change in anotherin another

• Negative feedback- Negative feedback- change triggers a change triggers a response that counteracts the changed response that counteracts the changed conditioncondition

• Positive feedbackPositive feedback- change triggers a - change triggers a response that intensifies the changing response that intensifies the changing condition condition

o There are many variations of the There are many variations of the scientific method scientific method

o However it usually involves 5 stepsHowever it usually involves 5 steps

We use the scientific method in We use the scientific method in order to help understand these order to help understand these

systemssystems

Scientific MethodScientific Method

Controls and Variables in an Controls and Variables in an ExperimentExperiment

o Variable (independent versus dependent)Variable (independent versus dependent)• A factor that influences a processA factor that influences a process• The variable may be altered in an experiment to see The variable may be altered in an experiment to see

its effect on the outcome (This is the its effect on the outcome (This is the independent independent variable variable which is graphed on the X-axis)which is graphed on the X-axis)

• The variable that is effected as a direct result of The variable that is effected as a direct result of manipulating the independent variable is the manipulating the independent variable is the dependent variabledependent variable

o ControlControl• The variable is The variable is not alterednot altered• Allows for comparison between the altered variable Allows for comparison between the altered variable

test and the unaltered variable testtest and the unaltered variable test

Inductive and Deductive Inductive and Deductive ReasoningReasoning

o Inductive ReasoningInductive Reasoning• Used to discover general principlesUsed to discover general principles• Seeks a unifying explanation for all the Seeks a unifying explanation for all the

data availabledata available• Ex:Ex:

• FACTFACT: Gold is a metal heavier than water: Gold is a metal heavier than water• FACTFACT: Iron is metal heavier than water: Iron is metal heavier than water• FACTFACT: Silver is a metal heavier than water: Silver is a metal heavier than water• CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION (based on inductive reasoning): All (based on inductive reasoning): All

metals are heavier than watermetals are heavier than water• Conclusions reached with inductive Conclusions reached with inductive

reasoning may change with new reasoning may change with new informationinformation

Inductive and Deductive Inductive and Deductive ReasoningReasoning

o Deductive ReasoningDeductive Reasoning• Proceeds from generalities to specificsProceeds from generalities to specifics• Adds nothing new to knowledge, but makes Adds nothing new to knowledge, but makes

relationships among data more apparentrelationships among data more apparent• Ex:Ex:

• GENERAL RULEGENERAL RULE: All birds have wings: All birds have wings• SPECIFIC EXAMPLESPECIFIC EXAMPLE: Robins are birds: Robins are birds• CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION (based on deductive reasoning): (based on deductive reasoning):

All Robins have wingsAll Robins have wings

Five Stages to Five Stages to Addressing An Addressing An Environmental Environmental

ProblemProblemo Five steps are Five steps are

idealisticidealistic• Real life is rarely so Real life is rarely so

neatneat

o Following Slides are Following Slides are Case Study Using Case Study Using the Five Stagesthe Five Stages

Case Study: Greening ChinaCase Study: Greening China

o China and the EnvironmentChina and the Environment• AIR 16/20 smoggiest cities in China, 1/3 of China AIR 16/20 smoggiest cities in China, 1/3 of China

affected by Acid rain, 400K deaths annually from affected by Acid rain, 400K deaths annually from resp illnessresp illness

• WATER 50% of H2O too contaminated for WATER 50% of H2O too contaminated for agriculture use, 300 million without reliable H2Oagriculture use, 300 million without reliable H2O

o Rapid Growth of the middle classRapid Growth of the middle classo Exploding consumptionExploding consumption

Case Study: Greening ChinaCase Study: Greening China

o F3DM as the car of the futureF3DM as the car of the futureo Govt commitment for clean water for Govt commitment for clean water for

everyoneeveryoneo Hillside logging banned, trees plantedHillside logging banned, trees plantedo Rizhao – model city createdRizhao – model city createdo Public protest and environmental Public protest and environmental

organizationsorganizations

Case Study: Greening ChinaCase Study: Greening China

o Why should you care?Why should you care?