Introduction to Environmental Science Review

Hunter - Gatherers

Early humans who lived by hunting animals, fishing, and gathering wild plants, seeds, fruits, and nuts for food.

Agricultural Revolution

The transition from nomadic hunter-gatherer societies to settled farming communities about 10,000 years ago.

Industrial Revolution

A period (beginning in the 18th century) marked by the transition from manual labor and agrarian economies to industrialized, machine-driven production.

Resource Depletion

More land mean greater demand for resources like water, food, energy, and land.

Over - extraction of natural resources can lead to shortages and environmental degradation.

The Tragedy of Commons

A concept introduced by Garrett Hardin in 1968, describing how individuals, acting in their own self-interest, can overuse and deplete shared resources.

Supply and Demand

Supply: the amount of a product or resource available for sale.

Demand: the amount of a product or resource that consumers are willing to buy.

Cost-Benefit Assessment 

A decision-making tool that compares the costs of an action to the benefits it will bring.

Developed Countries

Countries with high industrialized, advanced technology, and a higher standard of living.

Developing Countries

Countries with lower industrialization, lower income, and a lower standing of living.

Ecological Footprint 

A measure of how much land and resources are needed to support a person’s lifestyle, including food, energy, water, and waste production. 

How did the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies impact the environment?

Domestication of plants and animals.

Growth of permanent settlements and increase in population.

What were the environmental consequences of the industrial revolution?

Air and water pollution from factories.

Increased carbon dioxide emissions leading to climate change.

Overuse of natural resources, leading to depletion of forests, minerals, and other raw materials.

Provide an example of the Tragedy of Commons

Overfishing in the oceans, which can lead to depletion of fish stocks.

Overgrazing by livestock on communal land, which can lead to soil erosion.

How does population growth lead to resource depletion?

More people mean greater demand for resources like food, water, energy, and land.

Over-extraction of natural resources can lead to shortages and environmental degradation.

Explain how supply and demand can affect the use of natural resources

High-demand for resources like oil, water, and minerals can lead to over-extraction and environmental degradation.

Market forces may not reflect the environment cost of depleting resources, leading to unsustainable practices.

How can the cost - benefit analysis be used to make decisions about environmental issues?

Environmental costs (e.g., loss of biodiversity, pollution) may be undervalued, leading to decisions that prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability.

Compare the ecological footprints of developed and developing countries

Developed country:

Higher consumption of resources and energy.

Higher greenhouse gas emissions due to industrialization.

Developing country:

Often struggle with resource scarcity and pollution due to rapid pollution growth and industrialization.

Lower overall consumption per capita but higher rates of deforestation and land degradation due to agricultural expansion.

What actions can individuals take to reduce their ecological footprint?

Reducing energy consumption (using renewable energy, public transportation).

Reducing waste (recycling, reusing materials).

Choosing sustainable products (organic food, low-water usage products).