intro environmental science lecture 1

Environmental science

An interdisciplinary field that studies the interactions between humans and the environment.

Planetary boundaries

Science-based levels of human disturbance of the Earth system beyond which the functioning of the system may be substantially changed.

Climate change

one of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Biosphere integrity

Two of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Land system change

three of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Fresh water use

four of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Ocean acidification & marine systems

five of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Biogeochemical flows

six of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Stratospheric ozone depletion

seven of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Novel entities introduced to biosphere

eight of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

Atmospheric aerosol loading

Nine of the specific boundaries affecting the stability and resilience of the Earth system.

9 processes that affect the stability and resilience of the Earth system

A list of specific boundaries that must be monitored to avoid environmental changes.

Quantitative planetary boundaries

Boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive.

Crossing planetary boundaries

Increases the risk of large-scale abrupt or irreversible environmental changes.

A planetary boundary

An indicator recognized and adopted at the European and international levels, showing general targets that must not be exceeded.

Geosphere

The solid Earth: the crust, the rock beneath the crust, the outer core and the inner core.

Hydrosphere

The solid, liquid, and gaseous forms of all water on Earth.

Biosphere

All living things on Earth, including microorganisms, plants, and animals.

Atmosphere

Extends from less than 1 m below the planet's surface to more than 10,000 km above, protecting organisms from ultraviolet radiation.

Safety

First boundary, brings concern and awareness, ramped up efforts.

Risk

Second boundary, will bring major disruptions to the Earth System.