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Environmental Science

The study of the interaction of humans with the natural environment.

Interdisciplinary study

A study that combines concepts from various fields such as natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Ecosystem

A set of organisms within a defined area that interact with one another and with their environment of nonliving matter and energy.

Biodiversity

The variety of different organisms and the ecosystems in which they interact.

Chemical cycling

The circulation of chemicals from the environment through organisms and back to the environment.

Resource Depletion

The exhaustion of natural resources due to overconsumption.

Biodegradable pollution

Pollution that can break down naturally over time.

Nondegradable pollution

Pollution that does not break down naturally.

Anthropocentrism

An ethical viewpoint that considers human needs and interests as more important than those of the environment.

Ecocentrism

An ethical viewpoint that values nature for its own sake, regardless of its utility to humans.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individuals act in their own self-interest and deplete a shared resource.

Ecological footprint

A measure of the amount of biologically productive land and water needed to support a person or country.

Sustainability

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Natural capital

The natural resources and services that support life and human economies.

Exponential growth

A growth pattern where a quantity increases at a fixed percentage per unit of time.

Poverty

A condition in which people cannot meet their basic needs for life.

Environmental ethics

The study of the moral relationship between humans and the environment.

Pollution

A degradation of air, water, or soil that adversely affects living organisms.

Chemical cycling

The movement of essential nutrients through the environment and living organisms.

Natural services

Processes in nature that support life such as air purification and topsoil renewal.

Renewable resources

Natural resources that can replenish within a human lifetime.

Nonrenewable resources

Resources that replenish very slowly, if at all.

Climate

Long-term atmospheric conditions in a given area.

Carrying capacity

The maximum number of individuals that an environment can sustain indefinitely.

Community

A group of interacting organisms living in a shared environment.

Ecosystem services

Benefits that humans derive from ecosystems, including clean water, pollination, and climate regulation.

Waste management

The process of treating solid wastes and offering solutions for recycling items that don’t belong to the trash.

Natural selection

The process by which individuals with favorable traits are more likely to reproduce.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Environmental policy

A course of action or principle adopted by an organization to manage its environmental impacts.

Fossil fuels

Natural fuels formed from the remains of once-living organisms, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

Habitat destruction

The process in which natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species.

Conservation

The sustainable management of natural resources.

Sustainability ethics

Moral principles that guide our relationship to the environment to ensure long-term viability.

Human population growth

An increase in the number of people living in a certain area or globally.

Wasteful resource use

Using resources in a manner that leads to excess and depletion.

Short-term interests

Immediate needs or wants that may conflict with long-term sustainability.

Long-term interests

Goals or benefits that consider future impacts and sustainability.

Environmental degradation

The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources, destruction of ecosystems, and pollution.

Energy conservation

The practice of reducing energy consumption.

Food chain

A hierarchical series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.

Living organisms

Biological entities that exhibit the characteristics of life.

Soil quality

The capacity of soil to function within ecosystem and land use boundaries.

Acid rain

Precipitation with acidic components, primarily from human pollutants.

Ecological deficit

When a country's ecological footprint exceeds its biological capacity.

Resource consumption

The use of resources by individuals or populations.

Pollution scrubbers

Devices that remove pollutants from industrial exhaust.

Anthropocentric philosophy

A perspective that places humans at the center of considerations regarding environmental policies.

Ecological sustainability

A state where biological systems remain diverse and productive.

Environmental impacts

Effects on the natural world caused by human actions.

Natural resources

Materials or substances occurring in nature which can be exploited for economic gain.

Pest control

The regulation of pest populations to avoid environmental damage and preserve resources.

Decomposition

The process by which organic substances are broken down into simpler organic or inorganic matter.

Environmental awareness

Understanding the importance of protecting the environment and natural resources.

Climate change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place.

Ecological balance

A state where the natural numbers of species and their environment remain in harmonious existence.

Endangered species

A species at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and other factors.

Perhaps the most fundamental principles of environmental science

Reliance on solar energy, oh chemical cycling, and biodiversity.

Natural capital depletion

Reduction in the stock of natural resources due to consumption.

Air quality

Measure of the pollutants in the air and its ability to support human health.

Waste reduction

Practices aimed at minimizing waste generation.

Urban sprawl

The uncontrolled expansion of urban areas.

Conservation biology

The discipline that focuses on protecting biodiversity and managing ecosystems.

Public policy

The principles by which social laws are enacted and enforced.

Endangered ecosystems

Ecosystems that are threatened by human action and have low resilience.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

Terrestrial ecosystems

Ecosystems found on land, such as forests and grasslands.

Aquatic ecosystems

Ecosystems found in water, such as lakes and oceans.

Soil erosion

The removal of the top layer of soil, often exacerbated by human activity.

Resource management

The practice of managing resource supply and sustainability.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems where life exists.

Sustainability goals

Targets aimed at achieving long-term environmental quality and health.

Environmental justice

The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people in environmental policies.

Renewable energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished, like wind and solar.

Conservation efforts

Activities aimed at preserving natural resources and biodiversity.

Nature reserves

Protected areas established to preserve wildlife and habitats.

Recycling

The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects.

Carbon footprint

The total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, or product.

Sustainable agriculture

Farming practices that meet current food needs without compromising future generations.

Wetlands

Areas where water covers the soil, either permanently or seasonally.

Environmental monitoring

The systematic sampling of air, water, soil, or biota to track the condition of the environment.

Forestry practices

Management of forested areas for sustainability and resource extraction.

Ecotourism

Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.

Soil conservation

Practices aimed at preventing soil erosion and maintaining soil fertility.

Environmental advocacy

Efforts to promote the protection of the environment through various means.