Unit 1 - Foundations of Environmental Systems & Societies

Systems

A set of interrelated parts working together to form a complex whole

Open system

Exchanges both energy and matter with its surroundings (e.g. ecosystems)

Closed system

Exchanges only energy, not matter, with its surroundings (e.g. Earth)

Isolated system

Hypothetical system that exchanges neither energy nor matter

First law of thermodynamics

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed

Second law of thermodynamics

Entropy (disorder) increases over time; explains the inefficiency and decrease in available energy along a food chain and energy generation systems

Equilibrium

A state of balance in a system

Steady-state equilibrium

A system that remains stable over time despite small fluctuations

Feedback loop

A process in which a system’s output affects its own operation

Positive feedback loop

A process that amplifies changes and drives the system toward a tipping point where a new equilibrium is adopted (destabilizing)

Negative feedback loop

A process that stabilizes the system by resisting change

Environmental value system (EVS)

A worldview or paradigm that shapes the way individuals perceive and evaluate environmental issues (influenced by culture, religion, politics, etc.)

Ecocentric

Nature-centered value system that prioritizes environmental health and self-restraint in resource use

Anthropocentric

A human-centered value system that emphasizes sustainable management of the environmental through laws and policies

Technocentric

A technology-centered value system that believes technology and human innovation can solve environmental problems

Deep ecologist

Someone who believes nature has intrinsic value and that humans must significantly reduce their impact on the environment

Soft ecologist

Someone who supports small-scale, community based solutions and opposes large scale industrial developments

Environmental manager

A perspective that focuses on the responsible management of natural resources through legislation and regulation

Cornucopian

A belief that technology and markets will solve environmental problems

Static equilibrium

A system that remains unchanged unless acted upon by an external force

Natural capital

Natural resources that can produced a sustainable natural income of goods and services (soil, trees, water)

Natural income

The sustainable yield or services provided by natural capital (timber, fish stock)

Acute pollution

Pollution that occurs suddenly and has severe effects

Chronic pollution

Pollution that occurs gradually over a long period

Transfer

Movement of energy/matter without change in form

Transformation

Change in state, form, or chemical nature

Model

Simplified version of reality used to understand and predict system behavior

Biosphere

Refers to the part of the Earth inhabited by organisms that extends from the upper parts of the atmosphere to deep within the Earth’s crust

Stable equilibrium

The condition of a system in which their is a tendency to return to the previous equilibrium following disturbance

Tipping point

The minimum amount of change within a system that will destabilize it, causing it to reach a new equilibrium or stable state

Sustainability

Using resources at a rate that allows for natural regeneration and ecosystem recovery

Ecological footprint

The area of land and water required to sustainably provide all resources at the rate which they are being consumed by a given population

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)

A global study assessing the condition of ecosystems and their contributions to human wellbeing

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

A report assessing environmental, social, and economic effects of a development project

Point-source pollution

Pollution from a single, identifiable source (e.g. factory pipe)

Non-point source pollution

Pollution from dispersed sources (e.g. runoff)

Persistent pollution

Pollution that does not break down easily (e.g. DDT)

Primary pollutant

Emitted directly (e.g. CO from car exhaust)

Secondary pollutant

Formed in the environment from primary pollutants (e.g. ozone from NOx and VOCs)

Pollution

The addition of substances or agents to the environment through human activity at harmful rates