August 25,2025

1. Scientific Inquiry and Problem Solving

  • The section outlines a 5-step process for inquiry and problem-solving:

    1. Formulate your question

    2. Gather your information

    3. Apply the information

    4. Consider the implications

    5. Explore other points of view

2. Environmental Impacts & Case Studies

2.1 Lamprey Effects on Trout

  • Initial belief: Parasitic Sea Lamprey caused lake trout decline.

  • Key Finding: The real reason for lake trout population plummet was overfishing, with effort growing exponentially since 1820 in the Great Lakes.

2.2 Guam Environmental Concerns

  • Major concerns include:

    • Climate Change: Long-term changes in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns primarily due to human activities (e.g., burning fossil fuels).

    • Loss of biodiversity.

    • Air pollution.

    • Ocean health.

    • Water pollution.

    • Overpopulation.

    • Energy use.

    • Severe weather events.

3. Major Environmental Challenges (Environmental Crisis)

  • The three main environmental challenges are:

    1. Population: The abundance of people and their mutualistic species.

    2. Resources: The use and abuse of non-renewable natural resources.

    3. Environmental Damage: The effects of pollution, disturbance, and other stressors on human welfare and natural ecosystems.

3.1 Human Population Trends

  • Current global human population: 8,169,952,099

  • Adding 80 million people annually.

  • Projected population by 2050: between 8 and 10 billion.

  • Disproportionate impact in Third World countries and among poor populations.

4. Environmental Ethics: Who Decides What is Important?

  • Environmental ethics involves examining values, rights, and obligations concerning the environment.

    • Key question: Do organisms have rights?