Environmental Science Lecture Notes - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the environmental science notes, including the Tragedy of the Commons, ethics, worldviews, laws, and sustainability.

Environmental Science

The study of the interaction between humans and the natural environment.

Environment

All living and nonliving things that humans interact with (climate, soil, landforms, water, other organisms).

Interdisciplinary

Involves concepts and ideas from multiple fields of study.

The Tragedy of the Commons

Shared resources deplete when individuals pursue their own self-interest, neglecting the common good.

Garrett Hardin

Ecologist who described The Tragedy of the Commons in 1968.

Commons

Shared resources not privately owned, likely to be depleted as individuals pursue self-interest.

Overgrazing

Grazing too much on common land, leading to barren lands.

Privately owned pasture

Dividing pasture into private sections to encourage sustainable grazing.

Climate change (ToC example)

A modern example of the Tragedy of the Commons—global emissions affect the shared atmosphere.

Air pollution

Pollution of the atmosphere from various sources.

Water pollution

Contamination of water bodies, impacting shared water resources.

Overfishing

Excessive fishing in international waters depleting fish stocks.

Anthropocentrism

Human-centered philosophy that prioritizes human interests.

Ecocentrism

Nature-centered philosophy that assigns intrinsic value to ecosystems.

Planetary management worldview

Anthropocentric view that humans should manage Earth's resources to maximize human benefits; categorizes resources as inexhaustible, renewable, or nonrenewable.

Inexhaustible resources

Resources that cannot be used up (e.g., sunlight).

Renewable resources

Resources that can be replaced, though replacement time varies (e.g., timber, water).

Nonrenewable resources

Resources that cannot be replenished on human timescales (e.g., coal, oil, natural gas).

Stewardship worldview

Anthropocentric view to manage Earth ethically and sustainably for long-term human needs.

Environmental Wisdom Worldview

Ecocentric view that humans are dependent on nature and should preserve it.

Law of Unintended Consequences

Human actions and policies often produce unexpected effects.

Unsustainability

A condition that cannot be maintained at current levels or rates.

Modern Environmental Movement

Rise in environmental awareness due to disasters (early 20th century) and regulatory responses.

Silent Spring

Book by Rachel Carson (1962) highlighting pesticide effects (DDT) and persistent pollutants.

Persistent pollutants

Pollutants that resist environmental degradation.

Biodegradable pollutants

Pollutants that will decompose over time.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Laws regulating testing and content of municipal tap water.

Clean Water Act

Laws restricting pollution of surface waters.

Clean Air Act

Laws restricting pollution of the atmosphere.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Rules for handling toxic and hazardous waste.

Endangered Species Act

Lists species at risk and outlines recovery plans.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws.

Global Environmentalism

Environmental issues are global and interconnected, not confined to one country.

Sustainability

Ability to maintain a process over time; involves scientific and social dimensions.

IPAT

Environmental impact I = P × A × T, where I is impact, P is population, A is affluence, T is technology.

Population (IPAT P)

Number of people in a given area or country.

Affluence (IPAT A)

Wealth or level of consumption per person.

Technology (IPAT T)

Tools and processes used to obtain resources and satisfy needs.

Ecological Footprint

Estimate of the land area needed to support a person’s or nation’s lifestyle.

Earth as a closed system

Matter does not enter or leave in large amounts; resources are finite and wastes persist.