Intro

Environmental Science

The study of how human systems interact with natural systems, focusing on understanding and finding sustainable solutions to anthropogenic problems.

Sustainability

The concept crucial in environmental science, where human activities must not deplete or damage natural systems they depend on to be considered sustainable.

Environmental Indicators

Measures like biological diversity, sea level change, and water quality used by environmental scientists to assess if human activities are sustainable or not.

The Ecological Footprint Model

A tool developed by environmental scientists to quantify an individual's impact on the natural environment.

Risk Analysis

The process where government agencies evaluate risks to the public and the environment, along with the economic costs of taking action versus doing nothing, to address environmental problems.

Tragedy of the Commons

Concept explaining how free-to-use natural resources can be overused and polluted, leading to the need for environmental laws and regulations to prevent depletion or pollution.

NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act)

Legislation passed in 1969 that created and funded the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to protect the environment.

Clean Air Act

Legislation passed in 1970 that was both environmentally and economically sustainable, as evidenced by specific data, and aimed to reduce air pollution.

Eutrophication

A process where excessive nutrients in water lead to algal blooms, subsequent oxygen depletion, and the creation of dead zones in lakes, impacting aquatic life.