Ch 1 envi sci

Sustainability

capacity of earth’s natural systems that support life and human social systems to survive/adapt to changing environmental conditions indefinitely 

Ex. Resources that are Sustainable (renewable) – air and fish in sea 

Precautionary principle

choice of safety of humans and nature will overrule

The tragedy of the commons

degradation of open-access renewable resources, such as fishing boats removing fish from fishing grounds faster than they can replenish; air, water, topsoil, and species are subject to this phenomenon 

Three Approaches to Prevent the Tragedy of the Commons

1. Regulation and Enforcement: Implementing laws and regulations to limit resource use and ensure sustainable practices.

2. Privatization: Assigning property rights to individuals or groups, encouraging responsible management of resources.

3. Community Management: Promoting collective action and local governance to manage resources sustainably through community agreements and norms.

Environment

everything around you, including living (plants and animals) and nonliving (air, water, sunlight) things 

ecology

focuses on how living organisms interact with living and nonliving parts of environment, study of interactions between organisms and environments 

environmental science

broader than ecology, uses different sciences to study environment and solutions to environmental problems 

Environmental Ethics

examines moral relationship between humans and environment and ethical implications of human actions affecting the world

Species

group of organisms that have unique set of characteristics that set it apart from other groups 

ecosystem

set of organisms within a defined area of land or volume of water that interact with one another and with environment of nonliving matter and energy 

biosphere

parts of earth’s air, water, and soil where life is found 

environmentalism/environmental activism

social movement dedicated to protecting earth’s life and resources, more political and ethical than related to science 

3 scientific principles of sustainability 

1) Dependence on solar energy: sun’s energy warms planet, energy for plants to make nutrients and food for all other species 

2) biodiversity: variety of genes, species, ecosystems, and ecosystem processes; provides ways for species to adapt to changing environmental conditions and replace species wiped out by environmental changes 

3) Chemical cycling: circulation of chemicals and nutrients (ex. Through soil and water); energy from sun, waste and decayed bodies become nutrients 

natural capital

natural resources and ecosystem services that keep humans and other species alive and support human economies (natural resources-renewable energy, life, air, water, nonrenewable minerals, etc.; ecosystem services-population control, food production, soil renewable, air purification, UV protection) 

natural resources

materials and energy provided by nature that are essential to humans

inexhaustible resources <solar energy>

renewable resources <forest, fish, fresh water>

nonrenewable (exhaustible) resources <oil, coal, natural gas>) 

sustainable yield

highest rate people can use renewable resource without reducing available supply  

ecosystem services

natural services provided by healthy ecosystems that support life and human economies at no monetary cost (air purification, recycling nutrients by plants) 

3 ADDITIONAL principles of sustainability 

1)full cost pricing- give consumers information about harmful environmental impacts of products 

2) win-win solutions- solutions that benefit the largest number of people + environment 

3) responsibility to future generations- leave plant’s life support systems in a good condition as responsibility to future generations 

MDC

high average incomes per person, use 70% of earth’s natural resources 

LDC

include most of world’s population but only use 30% of earth’s natural resources 

biomimicry

understand, mimic, and catalog the natural ways nature sustains life (ie. Shark skin,  

environmental degradation/natural capital degradation

degradation of renewable natural resources and natural services from population growth and increased resource use per person; we are destroying forests, taking water, harvesting fish, littering, pollutants...

private lands

owned by individuals or business

public lands

owned jointly by citizens of country but managed by government (national parks, national forests, etc.) 

ecological footprint

amount of biologically productive land and water needed to supply a population in an area with renewable resources and to absorb and recycle wastes and pollution such resource use produces 

biocapacity

ability of earth’s ecosystems to regenerate resources used in a given year 

per capita ecological footprint

average ecological footprint of individual in given area 

IPAT

Impact (I)=Population (P) x Affluence (A) x Technology (T) 

T: polluting factories, motor vehicles, pollution control, solar cells 

culture affects ecological footprints

agricultural revolution (grow and breed plants and animals)

industrial-medical revolution (energy from fossil fuels and medical advancements)

information-globalization revolution (new technologies for gaining rapid access to information and resources)

sustainability revolution (live more sustainably) 

exponential growth

quantity increases at fixed percentage per unit of time 

poverty

people lack enough money to fulfill their basic needs for food, water, shelter, health care, and education 

-poverty DOESN’T always lead to environmental degradation (some plant trees to conserve their soil) <GREENBELT MOVEMENT>

nature deficit disorder

urban environments and electronic devices isolate people from the natural world 

economics

production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services to satisfy people’s wants and needs  

Natural capital

resources and ecosystem services produced by earth’s natural processes that support life and economies 

Human capital

physical and mental talents of people who provide labor, organization and management skills, and innovation 

Manufactured capital

machinery, materials, and factories that people create using natural resources 

economic growth

increase in capacity of nation, state, city, or company to provide goods and services to people 

high-throughput economy

boost economic growth by increasing flow of matter and energy resources through system to produce more goods and services 

low throughput economy

low waste, more sustainable

full cost pricing

include harmful environmental/health costs into prices 

subsidies

tax breaks and payments given by government to companies; these can encourage depletion and degradation of natural capital 

gross domestic product (GDP)

annual market value of all goods and services produced by all firms and organizations 

per capital GDP

country’s economic growth per person (GDP divided by total population at midyear) 

environmentally sustainable society

protects natural capital and lives on income, one that can meet needs of environment without compromising ability of future generations to meet their own needs 

Biosphere 1 and Biosphere 2

Biosphere 1: Refers to Earth’s global ecosystem, where life exists, encompassing all living organisms and their interactions with the environment.

Biosphere 2: A man-made ecological system located in Arizona, designed for research on closed ecological systems. It was built to study the interactions within ecosystems and the potential for human life in space habitats.

Natural Capital

Natural Resources + Ecosystem Services 

Environmental Worldviews

1. Planetary Management:

   • Belief that humans are the most important species.

   • Advocates for the use of technology to manage Earth's resources for human benefit.

2. Stewardship:

   • Emphasizes responsible management of the Earth.

   • Encourages sustainable practices to protect the environment for future generations.

3. Earth Wisdom:

   • Recognizes the intrinsic value of nature.

   • Promotes harmony between humans and the natural world, advocating for conservation and respect for ecosystems.

Linear vs. Circular Metabolism

linear- something that ends up as waste, circular: more sustainable bc u reuse/recycle 

3 “natural sciences” and 3 “social sciences” part of EnviSci

Natural Sciences in Environmental Science

1. Biology - Study of living organisms and ecosystems.

2. Chemistry - Analysis of chemical processes and pollutants.

3. Geology - Examination of Earth's materials and processes.

Social Sciences in Environmental Science

1. Sociology - Exploration of societal impacts on the environment.

2. Economics - Study of resource allocation and environmental policies.

   1. Political Science - Analysis of environmental governance and policy-making.

Overall trend in human population growth over last 500 years

increasing rapidly but starting to soften due to medicine and technology 

What has happened to the length of doubling time of the human population over the course of human history

decreased a little but majorly increased in past 

Desc quick way to calculate doubling time

To calculate the doubling time (DT) of a population, you can use the Rule of 70:

1. Formula: DT = 70 / growth rate (%)

2. Example: If the growth rate is 2%, then DT = 70 / 2 = 35 years.

This provides a quick estimate of how long it will take for a population to double at a constant growth rate.

“economic growth”: basic ways this accomplished

increase in amount of goods produced per population, land, labor, capital, entrepreneurship  

Which resources are considered “perpetual”

renewable 

Relationship between potentially renewable resources and sustainable yield

there may not be a bigger supply of them so don’t deplete them 

Justifications of placing value on environment 

1. Utilitarian: benefits people, more products 

2. Ecological: a tree has value bc of role in air purification 

3. Aesthetic: for people to look at 

4. Moral: respect for organisms’ right for life 

Government approach that encourages pollution prevention

Government Approaches to Encourage Pollution Prevention

1. Regulatory Frameworks: Implementing laws and regulations that set limits on emissions and waste.

2. Incentives and Subsidies: Providing financial incentives for businesses to adopt cleaner technologies.

3. Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public and industries about the benefits of pollution prevention.

4. Research and Development Support: Funding for innovative technologies that reduce pollution.

5. Voluntary Programs: Encouraging companies to commit to pollution prevention practices through partnerships.

2 limitations/drawbacks of pollution cleanup strategies 

Limitations/Drawbacks of Pollution Cleanup Strategies

1. High Costs: Cleanup operations can be extremely expensive, often requiring significant financial resources for technology, labor, and ongoing maintenance.

2. Incomplete Removal: Many cleanup methods may not fully eliminate pollutants, leading to potential long-term environmental impacts and health risks.

Julian Simon

what was the most value resource on earth? The human mind 

Julian simon vs paul ehrlich: debate regarding human population growth

Julian Simon vs. Paul Ehrlich: Debate on Human Population Growth

• Julian Simon: Advocated for the idea that human ingenuity and technological advancement can overcome resource limitations. He believed that population growth could lead to economic growth and innovation.

• Paul Ehrlich: Warned about the dangers of overpopulation, arguing that it leads to resource depletion, environmental degradation, and societal collapse. He is known for his book "The Population Bomb."

Key Points of Debate

• Resource Availability: Simon emphasized human creativity; Ehrlich focused on finite resources.

• Economic Impact: Simon saw population growth as beneficial; Ehrlich viewed it as a threat.

• Environmental Concerns: Ehrlich highlighted ecological risks; Simon argued for adaptability and solutions.

This debate continues to influence discussions on sustainability and population policies.

2 important changes that many environmental scientists think should take place in the decades ahead to truly experience global sustainability:

renewable energy sources, transportation, less pollution 

Hunter gatherer societies

only took what they needed, no pollution

Industrialized Agriculture Societies

overuse resources, pollution

2 societal/environmental changes which occurred due to industrial revolution

air pollution, large scale production=more jobs 

Conservationst

regulate human use/efficient use of resources

Preservationalists

eliminate human impact altogether

Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy is a glacial valley located in Yosemite National Park, California. It is known for its stunning natural beauty and was once considered for its potential as a national park. In the early 20th century, the valley was dammed to create a reservoir for San Francisco's water supply, leading to significant environmental controversy. The area is now a focal point for discussions on conservation and water rights.

How can environment be priced and sold/purchased

Pricing and Selling/Purchasing the Environment

1. Ecosystem Services Valuation: Assign monetary value to services provided by ecosystems (e.g., clean air, water filtration).

2. Carbon Credits: Tradeable permits allowing companies to emit a certain amount of CO2, incentivizing reduction of greenhouse gases.

3. Biodiversity Offsets: Compensation for environmental damage by preserving or restoring habitats elsewhere.

4. Natural Resource Pricing: Market-based pricing for resources like timber, minerals, and water.

5. Environmental Impact Assessments: Evaluating potential environmental costs before development projects.

6. Green Bonds: Financial instruments to fund projects with positive environmental impacts.

Commons

forests, fisheries, groundwater resources

Tragedy of the commons

individuals access to public resource in own interest take and deplete resources 

Garrett hardin

tragedy of the commons 

Public service functions of nature

trees purify the air, bacteria decomposes waste, tree roots prevent erosion 

Ecosystem services

natural services that environment provides 

Direct costs

labor, direct materials, manufacturing supplies (expenses you directly apply to specific cost) 

Indirect costs

rent, utilities, expenses (can’t assign expenses to specific object) 

Externalities

environmental effects/social costs passed on to society 

Positive externalities

Full-cost pricing

consumer pays for environmental impact of product 

Marginal costs

cost added by producing one additional unit or product or service 

Optimum level of pollution 

intersection between marginal benefit and marginal cost

Policy instruments

techniques used by government to promote certain policies to achieve a predefined set of goals 

Command and control:

exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander 

Cap-and-trade

system that limits aggregate emissions from group of emitters by setting “cap” on maximum emissions 

Sustainable fisheries

respects ecosystems and adapts to reproductive rate of fish to maintain balance 

Risk-benefit analysis

comparison of risk of situation and benefits

Ecosystem valuation and landscape aesthetics

monetizing ecosystem benefit by using market price, enjoyment and pleasure felt through observation of scenery

Pigouvian tax

tax on mark transaction that creates negative externality borne by society 

Pigouvian subsidy

used to encourage behavior that has positive effects on others who are not involved with society at large 

Total economic value

provides all-encompassing measure of economic value of any environmental asset