Environmental science unit 1

evironment

circumstance or conditions surrounding organisms, for humans it includes a complex of social or cultural conditions that affect individuals or communities

environmental science

systematic study of the environment and our “proper place” in it, interdisciplinary, a study of interconnections (chem, physics, econ. ecology)

goals of environmental science

1) how does nature/life work 2) understanding how humans interact with the environment 3) how to live sustainably

sustainability

the ability of earths various natural systems and human cultural systems and economies to survive/adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely

scientific principles of sustainability

1) depend on solar energy (unlimited, free, no CO2 emissions) 2) biodiversity- different forms of life 3) chemical and nutrient cycles replacement (matter)

3 additional components of sustainability

full cost pricing (econ), win win solutions (politics), responsibility to future generations

natural capitol

air, water, fertile soil, oceans, streams, wildlife, minerals, natural processes

solar capitol

energy from the sun

resource

anything we get from the environment to meet our needs or desires

directly avaliable resource

solar energy, water, fertile soil, wild plants, hunting

indirectly available resource

petroleum, iron, groundwater, modern crops

perpetual (inexhaustible) resource

cannot run out on a human scale, solar energy and water cycle

renewable resource

can be renewed fairly rapidly through natural processes, can be depleted before being renewed

biodiversity

life forms that can survive in a variety of conditions currently found on earth

genetic diversity

variety in genetic diversity of individuals of the same species

species diversity

variety of species found on earth

ecological diversity

variety of biomes

functional diversity

biological and chemical processes such as energy flow and cycling of matter

sustainable yield

the highest rate at which a renewable resource can be used indefinitely without reducing supply

environmental degradation

resources natural replacement rate is exceeded and supply is reduced

tragedy of the commons

exploitation on common pool resources, must use at rate below sustainable yield

non renewable resource

exist in fixed amount, can be completely used up, fossil fuels