Environmental

What is environmental science?

• The study of our planet’s natural systems and how humans and the environment affect one another

• The environment includes all living and nonliving things with which organisms interact.

• Understanding the interactions between humans and the environment is the first step to solving environmental problems.

Environmental science

• Objective, unbiased pursuit of knowledge about the workings of the environment and our interactions with it

Environmentalism

• Social movement dedicated to protecting the natural world

Sustainability

• the practice of using Earth's natural resources responsibly, so that human needs are met today without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs 

Three Pillars of sustainability

1. Environmental Protection

2. Economic Development

3. Social Equity

Environmental protection

• Focuses on preserving natural resources and ecosystems

• Includes efforts to reduce pollution, conserve biodiversity, and mitigate climate change

• Example: Establishing protected areas like national parks

Economic Development

• Aims to create a sustainable economy that meets human needs without depleting resources

• Involves promoting green technologies, sustainable agriculture, and responsible consumption

• Example: Investing in renewable energy sources

Social Equity

• Ensures fair access to resources and opportunities for all people

• Addresses issues like environmental justice, public health, and education

• Example: Providing clean water access to underserved communities

Natural Resources

• materials and energy sources found in nature that humans need to survive.

Human Population growth

Tremendous and rapid human population growth can be attributed to:

• The Agricultural Revolution: About 10,000 years ago; humans began living in villages, had longer life spans, and more surviving children.

• Industrial Revolution: Began in early 1700s; driven by fossil fuels and technological advances

Ecological Footprints

• The total amount of land and water required to:

  • provide the raw materials an individual or population consumes

  • dispose of or recycle the waste an individual or population consumes

• Most informative when footprints are calculated using the same method

• Scientific ideas are “,” not “proven,” and “,” not “believed in.”

supported, accepted

Observation

•  involves one or more senses to gather data

Inference

a logical interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge.

The Scientific Method

1. Ask a Question / State a Problem

2. Form a Hypothesis (educated guess in If…then… form)

3. Design an Experiment

4. Collect Data (tables, charts, observations)

5. Analyze Results (look for patterns/trends)

6. Draw a Conclusion (support or reject the hypothesis)

7. Communicate Results

Independent Variable

What the scientist changes

• Anthropocentrism:

• Humans and human welfare most important

Biocentrism

• All living things have value; some may be more important than others

Ecocentrism

• Well-being of a species or community more important than that of an individual