MODULE 1 (Environmental problems, their Causes and Sustainability)

ENVIRONMENT

-> Everything that surround us.

-> includes biotic (Iiving) and abiotic (non-living) components.

-> Examples: air, water, solls plants, animals, buildings, etc.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

-> The study of interactions between the natural world and human activities.

-> Involves understanding environmental problems and finding solutions.

-> Focuses on sustainability, conservation, and environmental protection.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY DISCIPLINE

-> Combine Natural Sciences

(biology, chemistry, physics, and geology)

-> Integrates Social Sciences

(economics, political science, and sociology)

-> Aims for a holistic understanding of environmental systems and issues

GIVE THE 5 COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT

-> Atmosphere
-> Hydrosphere
->Lithosphere/Geosphere
-> Biosphere: Living Organisms
-> Anthrosphere: Human-built Environment

GIVE 6 FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

• Geology

• Demography

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Physics

• Philosophy

GIVE THE ECOLOGICLA LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION

• Biosphere

• Biome

• Ecosystem

• Community

• Population

• Individual

ORGANISM / INDIVIDUAL

A living being with all the characteristics that are essential for the existence of life such as growth, development, capability to respond to any stimulus, reproduction etc.

POPULATION

A group which consists of organisms of the same species that live in a particular geographical area at the same time and they compete with each other for the resources.

COMMUNITY

Refers to various populations that live in the same geographical area at the same time and they are dependent on each other for their survival which means these populations interact with each other.

ECOSYSTEM

Refers to one or more communities which interact with their abiotic (non-living factors such as soil, wind, temperature, water etc) physical and chemical environment.

BIOSPHERE

Means collection of all the ecosystems that can be found on our Earth. In one word, biosphere refers to the region of Earth where life can be found.

NATURAL CAPITAL

• Natural Resources

• Natural Services

GIVE EXAMPLES OF NATURAL RESOURCES

• Renewable

• Non-Renewable

EXAMPLE OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Air, Water, Soil, Plants

EXAMPLE OF NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Minerals, Oil, Coal

HUMAN ACTIVITY ___________

Degrade Natural Capital

GIVE EXAMPLES OF NATURAL SERVICES

• Functions of nature

• Purification of Air and water

• Nutrient Cycling

PERPETUAL

Renewed continuously

RENEWABLE

Days to centuries

EXAMPLE OF PERPETUAL

Solar Energy

EXAMPLE OF RENEWABLE NATURAL SERVICES

• Water

• Air

• Grasslands

• Forest

• Soils

• Fish Populations

NATURAL SERVICES

• Sustainable yield

• Highest use while maintaining supply

• Environmental degradation

• use exceeds natural replacement rate

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

• The amount of biologically productive land and water needed to indefinitely supply the people in a given area with renewable resources.

• Also includes the land and water necessary to absorb and recycle wastes and pollution

CAPITAL ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

Average ecological footprint on an individual in a given area.

ECOLOGICAL DEFICIT

• Total ecological footprint greater than biological capacity for resource renewal and absorption of wastes and pollution.

• 2008 study: at least 30% global excess

• 88% for high-income countries

• Humans currently need 1.3 earths

DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

• Have Higher Impacts

• United States, Japan, New Zealand, most of Europe, some others.

• 19% world population

• Use 88% of world's resources

• Create 75% of world's pollution

• 81% world population

• Middle income: Brazil, China, India

• Least developed: Haiti, Nigeria, Nicaragua

• Use far fewer resources per capita than developed countries

• Smaller per capita ecological footprint

NATURAL CAPITAL DEGRADATION

Connections: simple model of how three factors-number of people, affluence (resource use per person), and technology-affect the environmental impact of populations in developing countries and developed countries. While many people in affluent countries over-consume, many poor people in developing countries suffer from not having enough resources.

POLLUTION

the introduction of harmful substances or agents into the environment that cause adverse effects to living organisms, ecosystems, or natural resources.

POLLUTION PREVENTION

• Prevent pollutants from entering the environment Pollution Cleanup

• After pollutants released into environment

• Temporary fix only

• Often results in different pollution: burning garbage

• Dispersed pollutants usually too costly to clean up effectively

GIVE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AFFLUENCE

• High per-capital consumption and waste of resouces

• Advertising

• Affluenza

GIVE THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF AFFLUENCE

• Concern for environmental quality

• Provide money for environmental causes

• Reduced population growth

EVALUATING FULL COST OF RESOUCES USE

• Prices do not include the value of natural capital and harmful environmental costs

• Examplesa) Clear-cutting + habitat lossb)

• Commercial fishing + depletion of fish stocks

• Tax breaks

• Subsidies

THREE BIG IDEAS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

• Rely more on renewable energy from the sun

• Protect biodiversity

• Do not disrupt earth's natural chemical cycles