Understanding Our Environment

Unit 1

Words to knowEnvironment - all external conditions and

factors that affect living organismsEcology - the study of the relationships between

living organisms and their environmentEnvironmental Science - interdisciplinary

study that examines the role of humans on earthCarrying Capacity - the maximum number of

organisms a local, regional, or global environment can support over a specified period

Environmental SustainabilityThe ability to meet humanity’s current needs

without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs

Based on the following ideas:1. We must consider the effects of our actions on

the natural environment.2. Earth has a finite supply of resources that must

be allowed to replenish.3. When consuming products, we must consider

ALL of the costs to the environment and society.4. We must all share in the responsibility for

environmental sustainability.

What is a sustainable society?Manages it’s economy and population size

without exceeding all or part of the planet’s ability to absorb environmental insults, replenish its resources, and sustain human and other forms of life over a specified period (usually hundreds to thousands of years)

Problems1. We are using non-renewable resources as

if they had an unlimited supply.2. We are using renewable resources faster

than they can be replenished naturally.3. We are polluting the environment with

toxins faster than it can absorb them.4. Our population continues to grow despite

the limited amount of resources.

Solutions?Not that simple there are many factors to

considerWe don’t completely understand how the

environment worksWe don’t know what long-term effects our

actions will haveEcological, societal, and economic factorsFinding a balance is difficult

ExampleLiving sustainably means living off of income

and not depleting the capital that sustains the income.

Pretend that you inherited 1 million dollars and invested this capital at 10% interest.

You can spend $100,000 dollars each year without touching your capital.

BUT WHAT IF… you spend $200,000 each year? $110,000? How long will the money last?A. 7 years B. 18

years

Something to think about…If you deplete your capital, you move from a

sustainable to an unsustainable life style.During the last 40 years, the U. S. alone has

used more resources than the rest of humanity in all previous years.

Human Population GrowthThere are currently over 7 billion people in

the world todayA great deal of growth over a relatively short

period of time exponential growth

Human Population GrowthSo much growth causes a strain on the

environment more people means more resources are used

An increase in population also leads to increased poverty levels over 2.8 billion people live in extreme poverty

I = P x A x TI = Environmental impact, P = # of people, A

= Affluence per person, T = effect of technologies used to obtain resources

Human Disturbance of Land73% of the habitable area of the planet has

been altered by human activities

Developed CountriesHighly industrialized20% of the world’s populationCommand about 85 % of the world’s wealthUses about 88% of Earth’s natural resourcesGenerate about 75% of the Earth’s pollution and

wastes (including about 90% of the world’s estimated hazardous waste)

Developing CountriesLow to moderate industrialization and per capita

GNPAfrica, Asia, and Latin America15% of the wealth and incomeUse only about 12% of the world’s natural resources1 million people are added every 4 days!!!

Characteristics of Developed and Developing Countries

Developed Developing

Average GNP per person

$30,000 $3,000

Annual Growth Rate

0.1% (slow) 1.7% (very rapid)

Infant deaths per 1000 live births

9 64

Population under age 15

19% 35%

Average life expectancy

78 years 63 years

Adult literacy 97% 48%

Population with safe water

96% 45%

3 types of resourcesRenewable – resources that are

replaced by natural processes and can be used without being exhausted on a human scale; includes solar and wind energy

Nonrenewable resources – natural resources that are present in limited supplies and are depleted by use; includes minerals and fossil fuels

Potentially renewable resources – resources that can be replace by natural processes as long as they are not used too fast

What happens when a resource is used too fast?Environmental degradation - when the

available supply of a renewable resource begins to shrink because a resource’s natural replacement rate is exceeded

Tragedy of the commons – “If I don’t use it, someone else will. It might as well be me.” “The little bit I use or pollute isn’t enough to matter.”

Some consequencesFisheries closing because they have been overfishedDeclining bird populations due to interrupted migration

patterns, loss of habitat, forest fragmentation, etc.More endangered species some reintroduction

programs, but not all are successfulIntroduction of invasive species that cause economic or

environmental harmDamage to the atmosphere, particularly the ozone layerGlobal warming and increasing carbon dioxide levelsDestruction of forests, especially tropical rain forests

Environmental World ViewsCommonly shared perspectives based on a

collection of our basic values that help us make sense of the world

Western world view = “frontier” world viewDeep ecology world view = “earth wisdom”

world view

Western World View Expansionist world view Human centered/dominance over nature Utilitarian Frontier attitude: a desire to conquest and exploit

nature as quickly as possible Unrestricted use of natural resources Increased economic growth/accumulation of wealth Unlimited consumption of goods and services to

provide material comforts Concerns for environment are based on human

interests Anthropocentric

Deep Ecology World ViewStresses harmony with natureSpiritual respect for lifeBelief that humans and all other species have an

equal worthAll forms of life have the right to existAdvocates sharply curbing human population growthProposes rethinking of how we use technology todayAsks individuals and societies to share an inner

spirituality connected to the natural worldBiocentric

Ecological FootprintThe area of the Earth’s productive surface

(land and sea) that it takes to produce the goods and services necessary to support a person’s lifestyle

What do you think?• “There are enough resources to meet the needs of

everyone on the planet.”• “The U.S. gives more to the world, and therefore

can take more from the world.”• Other opinion?

Components of an Ecological FootprintOxygen – trees for absorbing carbon dioxideFood – meat, dairy, fish, fruits and veggiesWater – drinking, cooking, washingFiber – clothes, wood, upholsteryInfrastructure – highways, hospitals, water

treatment facilitiesWaste Disposal – garbage dumps, landfillsRecreation – football fields, baseball fields,

soccer fields, golf coursesEnergy – fuel for cars, heat for cooking

Further exploration… Read “Hamburger, Fries, and a Cola – What Does it Take to

Produce This Favorite American Meal?”What resources are required to make a burger?What are the steps between cow and burger?What are some environmental impacts caused by producing

this meal?What ingredients are not mentioned in this article? How

many resources do you think are required for these ingredients?

Are you surprised by how many resources are used to make a “typical” fast food meal? Do you think these resources are reflected in the cost of the meal?

Which steps do you think could be “cut out” in order to reduce the consumption of resources? How difficult would this be?