1.1: Environmental Systems + Sustainability

Includes Environmental Science, Environmental Indicators, and Sustainability

Fossil Fuels

Fuel derived from fossilized biomass

Fracking or Hydraulic Fracturing

A method of oil and gas extraction using high-pressure fluids to force open cracks in underground rock

Environment

The sum of all conditions surrounding us that influence life, including biotic and abiotic factors

Biotic

Living

Abiotic

Non-living

Environmental Science

Interactions among human systems and those found in nature

System

Any set of components that influence one another by exchanging energy, materials, or information

Ecosystem

A location on Earth with interacting biotic and abiotic factors

Environmental studies

A field of study that includes environmental science, as well as ethics, literature, economics, law, etc

Ecosystem Services

The processes by which life supporting resources are produced

Environmental Indicators

Indicators that describe the state of a system

Biodiversity

The diversity of life forms in an environment

Species

A group of organisms that is distinct from other groups due to its morphology, behavior, or biochemistry

Speciation

The evolution of a new species

Background Extinction Rate (BMR)

The average rate at which species become extinct over the long term

ecosystem diversity

the diversity of ecosystems in a given region

Food production

ability to grow food for the human population

greenhouse gasses

gasses in earth’s atmosphere that trap heat near the surface of the earth

anthropogenic

derived from human activity

per capita

amount per person in a country/given population

development

improvement in human well-being through economic advancement

Sustainability

living in a way that allows humans to use resources without depriving future generations

sustainable development

development balancing current human well being and economic advancement with resource management for the benefit of future generations

biophilia

love of life

Ecological footprint

the amount of land needed to support an individuals daily activities