ESCI 277 Finall Prep

Earth History:

• Earth's geological history spans approximately 4.6 billion years, divided into different geological eras, periods, and epochs.

• It involves the study of Earth's formation, evolution of its atmosphere, continents, oceans, and life forms.

Geologic Time:

• Geologic time is the scale used by geologists, paleontologists, and other Earth scientists to describe the timing and relationships of events that have occurred during Earth's history.

• It's divided into eons, eras, periods, epochs, and ages based on significant geological and biological events.

Human Evolution:

• Human evolution refers to the evolutionary process leading to the emergence of anatomically modern humans from ancestral primates.

• It involves the study of fossil evidence, genetic data, and comparative anatomy to understand the development of humans over millions of years.

The ‘Lithic’ and ‘Metal’ Ages:

• The Lithic Age, also known as the Stone Age, is characterized by the use of stone tools by early human societies. It's subdivided into the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods.

• The Metal Ages include the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, marked by the discovery and use of metals for toolmaking, weaponry, and other purposes.

‘Revolutions’ (Agricultural, Industrial, Digital):

• The Agricultural Revolution marks the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies, leading to settled communities and the development of civilization.

• The Industrial Revolution, beginning in the 18th century, saw the transition to mechanized production processes, urbanization, and significant socio-economic changes.

• The Digital Revolution, starting in the late 20th century, involves the rapid advancement of technology, particularly in computing, communication, and information technology, transforming various aspects of society.

Colonialism:

• Colonialism refers to the establishment and maintenance of colonies by foreign powers, often for economic exploitation and political control.

• It has had profound impacts on indigenous cultures, economies, and environments, and has been a major driver of global inequality.

• The roots of global inequality can be traced back to colonialism, including the exploitation of resources, forced labor, and the imposition of unequal social structures and systems.

Anthropocene:

• The Anthropocene is a proposed geological epoch that marks the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on the climate and environment of the Earth

Hallmarks and Controversy:

• The hallmarks of the Anthropocene include significant changes in atmospheric composition, biodiversity loss, alterations to land use, and changes in ecosystems. Controversy surrounds the precise beginning of the Anthropocene epoch, with some arguing for the start of significant human impacts during the Industrial Revolution, while others suggest it began thousands of years ago with the advent of agriculture.

• Outcome: The outcome of recognizing the Anthropocene includes acknowledging the responsibility of humans in shaping the Earth's systems and the need for concerted global action to mitigate and adapt to its impacts.

Climate: Physical Causes

• Climate change is driven by both natural factors, such as volcanic eruptions and variations in solar radiation, and anthropogenic factors, primarily emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation. The timeline of human-induced climate change accelerated significantly during the Industrial Revolution.

Climate: Consequences

• Climate change has various physical consequences, including rising global temperatures, melting polar ice caps, sea level rise, changes in precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These physical changes have significant impacts on humans and human systems, including threats to food and water security, displacement of populations, increased risk of natural disasters, and adverse effects on health.

Climate: Solutions

• Solutions to climate change involve reducing greenhouse gas emissions through measures like transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, adopting sustainable land use practices, and implementing policies to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts. Attitudes toward climate change range from denial and skepticism to urgent calls for action, with varying levels of political will and international cooperation.

Ethics and Colonial Roots:

• The ethics of climate change involve considerations of justice, equity, and responsibility, particularly regarding the historical contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations, often in developing countries. The colonial roots of climate change are evident in the historical exploitation of natural resources and the unequal distribution of wealth and power globally, which continue to shape patterns of consumption and emissions.

Energy Sources through Time:

• This topic involves tracing the evolution of energy sources used by humanity over time, from traditional sources like biomass and animal power to modern fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), and the shift towards renewables (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal) and nuclear energy.

Usage through Time:

• Examining how patterns of energy consumption have changed over time due to technological advancements, industrialization, urbanization, and changes in lifestyle and economic activities.

Environmental/Climate Impacts:

• Investigating the environmental and climate impacts associated with different energy sources, including air and water pollution, habitat destruction, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change.

Distribution and Use:

• Analyzing the distribution of energy resources globally, including issues related to energy access, energy poverty, energy security, geopolitical tensions, and the socio-economic implications of energy distribution and consumption patterns.

Peak Oil:

• Discussing the concept of peak oil, which refers to the point at which the maximum rate of petroleum extraction is reached, and the implications for energy security, economic stability, and transition to alternative energy sources.

Resource Reliance and Economic Failure:

• Exploring the economic risks and vulnerabilities associated with reliance on finite and non-renewable resources, such as oil and gas, and the potential for economic disruption and failure in the face of resource scarcity or price shocks.

Solutions (Reducing GHGs; Inequalities; Lock-in Effect; Barriers):

• Identifying and evaluating potential solutions to address challenges related to energy and sustainability, including strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing inequalities in energy access and distribution, overcoming technological and institutional barriers, and avoiding lock-in to unsustainable energy systems.

Environmental Impact of ‘Environmentally Friendly’ Energy:

Critically examining the environmental impacts and trade-offs associated with renewable energy technologies, such as land use conflicts, habitat disruption, material extraction, and end-of-life disposal issues.

Balancing Our Wants with Earth Resources and Inherent Inequalities:

• Considering the ethical and moral implications of resource consumption and the pursuit of economic growth and development, particularly in light of finite planetary boundaries, environmental degradation, and socio-economic disparities.

Water Use and Availability:

Discusses the global challenges surrounding water scarcity and the reasons behind it, which can include factors such as climate change, overuse, pollution, and inefficient water management.

Solving Water Scarcity:

Explores potential solutions to address water scarcity issues, which may include water conservation measures, improved infrastructure, desalination, rainwater harvesting, and policy changes.

Earth Materials and Water Quality:

• Examines the impact of natural contaminants (such as arsenic, fluoride, and bacteria) and human-made pollutants (such as industrial chemicals and agricultural runoff) on water quality. Also discusses the use of water resources for consumables like agriculture and industry.

Conflict or Cooperation Over Water:

• Considers the geopolitical tensions and disputes that can arise due to competition for water resources, as well as the potential for collaboration and diplomatic solutions to prevent conflicts.

Healthcare in a Global Context:

• Analyzes the disparities in healthcare access and quality across different regions of the world, along with efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and address public health challenges on a global scale.

Food and Health:

• Explores the relationship between diet, nutrition, and health outcomes, including inequalities in access to nutritious food, the impact of food choices on health, and the challenges of addressing food scarcity and malnutrition.

Health <-> Geology:

• Examines the interconnectedness between geological factors (such as soil composition, groundwater quality, and geological hazards) and public health outcomes, including disease transmission, waterborne illnesses, and environmental health risks.

Wicked Problems:

• Discusses complex, multifaceted issues that defy straightforward solutions, such as climate change, poverty, and public health crises, and explores interdisciplinary approaches to address these challenges effectively.

Fossil Fuel Dependence:

The reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas for various sectors including transportation, industry, and electricity generation. The issue is wicked due to its environmental impacts (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution), economic dependencies, and geopolitical implications.

Climate Change:

The long-term alteration of global or regional climate patterns, primarily attributed to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. It's a wicked problem because it involves numerous interconnected factors, uncertainties in predicting future impacts, and challenges in reaching international agreements for mitigation and adaptation.

Food Security:

The state in which all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. It's a wicked problem due to issues like distribution inequalities, agricultural sustainability, climate change impacts on food production, and global economic factors.

Biodiversity Loss:

• The decline in the variety and abundance of species within a specific ecosystem or globally. It's a wicked problem because it involves complex interactions between human activities (e.g., habitat destruction, pollution, overexploitation), ecological dynamics, and socio-economic factors, with consequences for ecosystem services, human well-being, and global stability.

Persistent Inequalities:

The enduring disparities in access to resources, opportunities, and rights among different social groups, often based on factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and geography. It's a wicked problem because it is deeply rooted in historical, cultural, and structural factors, and addressing it requires systemic changes across multiple sectors.

Poverty:

• The state of lacking sufficient material possessions or income to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. Poverty is a wicked problem due to its multidimensional nature, interconnected with factors like education, healthcare, employment, and social welfare. Solutions often involve addressing root causes such as structural inequalities and lack of access to resources.

Sustainability:

• The ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It's a wicked problem because achieving sustainability requires balancing often conflicting goals and trade-offs between short-term gains and long-term impacts, across diverse stakeholder interests.

Healthcare

• The provision of medical services, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of illness and injury to maintain and restore health. It's a wicked problem due to the complexity of healthcare systems, including access disparities, rising costs, technological advancements, ethical considerations, and the interplay of social determinants of health. Addressing healthcare challenges often involves navigating political, economic, and cultural barriers.

10 Properties of Wicked