Introduction to Environmental Science and Scientific Method

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from environmental science, scientific methodology, statistics, sustainability, and climate change.

Science

A systematic observation, data collection, and investigation process used to discover truth and explain natural causes for living and nonliving beings.

Psychology

A discipline that studies the human mind, which is understood as the brain.

Religion

A body of knowledge and practice consisting of two main parts: beliefs and rituals.

Philosophy

A broad area of knowledge that helps science promote itself and be accepted by more people as a source of knowledge.

Social Science

Disciplines studying human society—such as sociology, political science, international relations, and anthropology—that adopted the scientific method for verification.

Physical Science

A component of environmental science focused on physical components of the environment, primarily chemistry and physics.

Mycology

A specialized branch of biological science that studies fungus.

Objective Knowledge

Scientific knowledge that is free from personal bias, emotion, intention, or personal interest.

Univariate Statistics

Statistical analysis that works with a single variable or quantity at a time.

Bivariate Statistics

Statistical analysis that examines the relationship between two distinct variables.

Dependent Variable

In a statistical relationship, the variable that changes in response to another variable.

Independent Variable

The variable in a statistical relationship that is measured or set first to determine the value of a dependent variable.

Multivariate Statistics

Statistical analysis where a dependent variable accounts for multiple variables or sources, making it suitable for real-world modeling.

Peer Review

The evaluation process where a scientific paper written by one scientist is read and checked by another scientist prior to publication.

Sustainable Development

Development that meets current human, economic, and structural needs without permanently altering or degrading environmental resources required by future generations.

Brundtland Commission

The commission that in $1987$ framed sustainable development around three pillars: environmental protection, social progress, and economic development.

Greenhouse Effect

The process where gases in the atmosphere trap heat from sunlight, causing planet temperatures to warm rapidly.

Paris Agreement

The $2016$ climate agreement where world leaders pledged to cap global temperature rise at $1.5^\text{ C}$ or a maximum of $2^\text{ C}$ before the year $2100$.

Mean Global Temperature

A compiled global metric based on land, ocean, and atmospheric temperature data across continents to track climate change.

Environmental Refugees

People who are forced to migrate from their homes because natural disasters or environmental degradation destroyed their living conditions.