Study Notes for UGS303 Sustaining a Planet
Introduction to UGS303 Sustaining a Planet
Overview of the Course
Sustainability Challenges
Introduction to sustainability challenges facing Earth.
Emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to address planetary issues.
Inspirational Quotes
Socrates (about 399 BCE): "A man must rise above the Earth to the top of the atmosphere and beyond, for only thus will he fully understand the world in which he lives."
Fred Hoyle (1948): "Once a photograph of Earth, taken from outside, is available, once the sheer isolation of the Earth becomes plain, a new idea as powerful as any in history will be let loose."
Pressing Problems for Planet Earth
Land Surface Degradation
Urbanization:
Expansion of urban areas leading to habitat loss.
Deforestation:
Loss of forests impacting biodiversity and climate.
Soil Erosion:
Loss of fertile topsoil affecting agriculture.
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation:
Impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
Water Cycle Challenges
River & Aquifer Pollution:
Contamination affecting water quality and availability.
Over-use:
Exceeding sustainable limits of freshwater resources.
Drought & Floods:
Extreme weather patterns exacerbating water scarcity and damage.
Ocean Pollution:
Impact on marine ecosystems and human health.
Atmospheric and Global Change
Air Pollution:
Issues with ozone and smog affecting health and climate.
Global Warming & Abrupt Climate Change:
Rising temperatures and climate instability.
Increased Hurricane Intensity:
More destructive storms due to climate change.
Sea Level Changes:
Threat to coastal communities and ecosystems.
Population and Social Systems
Developing Countries:
Unique challenges faced regarding environmental sustainability.
Counter Population Growth:
Strategies to manage population increase sustainably.
Environmental Policy, Equity, and Economics:
Balancing environmental needs with popular and economic demands.
Ecosystems
Impact of Agriculture:
Use of fertilizers and pesticides degrading ecosystems.
Loss of Biodiversity:
Decline in species diversity and ecosystem resilience.
Interlinked Nature of Challenges
Need for comprehensive, interdisciplinary studies to address these pressing challenges comprehensively.
Resource Depletion
Increasing consumption of energy, water, and materials.
Extraction of non-renewable resources leading to sustainability concerns.
Historical Context and Current Data
Case Study: Geographic Changes
Katy, Texas:
Urbanization effects illustrated between 2012 and 2018.
Analysis of the Gulf of Mexico:
River and aquifer pollution and its impact as of August 2, 2024.
Ecosystems, Water Quality & Agriculture
Impact of Food Systems
Example:
NOAA's prediction of Gulf of Mexico's 2025 ‘dead zone’ indicating severe hypoxia from pollutants.
Atmospheric Changes
Carbon Dioxide Concentration Data
Years and ppmv data from Antarctic Ice Core and Mauna Loa observatory:
2007: 384 ppm
2015: 400 ppm
July 2025: 428 ppm
Observations indicate rapid warming trends over the past decades with the last decade being the warmest.
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
Hurricanes and Temperature Changes
Investigating the correlation between rising global temperatures and hurricane intensity.
Data from Late 21st Century model projections assessing changes in 100-degree days in Austin.
Economic Impacts of Climate Change
Projected Economic Damage
Forecast concerning economic impacts of climate change from 2080 to 2099, with specific percentage of county GDP being affected analyzed.
Energy Use and Depletion
Population Growth Statistics
Connection highlighted between increasing population and corresponding energy and resource use.
Addressing Pressing Problems
Course Framework
Investigative Approach:
Extent of the problem today
Reliability of data concerning the problem
Identification of causes (Natural or Man-made)
Future projections: What can be done about the issues?
Awareness of potential tipping points
The roles of media, policymakers, scientists, and public in addressing issues.
Strategies for sustainable growth.
Sustainable Development Framework
Key Components
Economy:
Financial systems must work sustainably without compromising ecological integrity.
Equity:
Ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities.
Environment:
Prioritizing ecological health to sustain life.
Quotes and Perspectives on Climate Change
Notable Quotes
Al Gore (2009): "There is a 75% chance that ice in the Arctic could be gone by 2013."
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (2019): "The world is going to end in 12 years if we don’t address climate change."
James Inhofe (2003): "Manmade global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people."
Greta Thunberg (2020): "When it comes to climate and environment, you can't be a little bit sustainable."
Course Structure and Assessment
Course Format Details
Lectures: MWF from 11-11:50 AM.
Discussion sections scheduled with Teaching Assistants.
Completion of a class survey before the specified date.
Syllabus Highlights
Major Sections
Introduction, concepts, and tools
Natural cycles of the Earth
Human perturbation on natural cycles & sustainability
Societal and economic implications, technology, ecologies, and pathways to sustainable solutions.
Exam Dates
Exam I: September 24
Exam II: October 22
Exam III: November 14
Final Exam: December 11
Grading Breakdown
Lecture exams (45%)
Final exam (15%)
Engagement (5%)
Discussion Section (17%)
Portfolio (18%)
Strict policies regarding academic dishonesty, including prevention against plagiarism and unauthorized sharing of materials.
Extra Credit Opportunities
Various avenues provided for earning extra credit through assignments and group dynamics in class.
Resources and Support Services
Available Support for Students
Undergraduate Writing Center: uwc.utexas.edu
Sanger Learning Center: ugs.utexas.edu/slc
Services for Students with Disabilities: disability.utexas.edu
Counseling and Mental Health Center: cmhc.utexas.edu/individualcounseling.html
Questions and Clarifications
Encouragement for students to reach out for any questions related to course materials or structure.
Study Guide Answers (Topic 1A & 1B)
Pressing Problems for Planet Earth in Each Category
Land Surface Degradation
Soil erosion
Desertification
Deforestation
Loss of arable (farmable) land
Urban sprawl reducing natural land
Resource Depletion
Overuse of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas)
Declining freshwater supplies
Overfishing
Mining of finite minerals
Deforestation for timber
Population and Social Systems
Rapid population growth
Increased consumption and waste
Urban overcrowding
Inequality in access to resources
Pressure on infrastructure (housing, healthcare, transport)
Water Cycle
Groundwater depletion
Contamination of drinking water
Increased flooding + drought cycles
Melting glaciers altering freshwater supply
Atmospheric and Global Change
Rising CO₂ levels
Global warming
Extreme weather events
Air pollution
Ozone depletion
Ecosystems
Biodiversity loss
Habitat destruction
Coral bleaching
Species extinction
Invasive species disrupting ecosystems
What is the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico?
A large area of hypoxic (low-oxygen) water primarily caused by nutrient runoff from the Mississippi River basin.
Cause:
Excess nitrogen & phosphorus → algal blooms → decomposition → oxygen depletion → fish and marine life cannot survive.
What is the trend in atmospheric CO₂ over time? Cause? Consequences?
Trend:
CO₂ has increased sharply since the Industrial Revolution.
Current levels are the highest in hundreds of thousands of years.
Cause:
Burning fossil fuels
Deforestation
Industrial and agricultural activities
Consequences:
Global warming
Sea-level rise
Ocean acidification
Stronger storms
Disrupted ecosystems & species extinction
In a warmer world, will hurricanes become more intense and destructive? How do we know?
Yes. Research shows:
Warmer ocean water = more fuel for hurricanes
More Category 4 & 5 storms
Increased rainfall during storms
Slower-moving storms cause more flooding
We know this from:
Climate models
Historical storm data
Physics of heat-energy transfer
Observed trends in recent decades
How does the efficiency of mosquito infection with West Nile Virus change as temperature increases?
As temperature rises, mosquitoes become infected more quickly and at higher rates.
The virus replicates faster inside the mosquito.
Result: more transmission and greater outbreak risk in warmer climates.
Fill in the blanks for the diagram below (I can fill this out precisely if you upload the diagram image—drop it in and I’ll complete the exact terms line-for-line.)
What is sustainability?
Living in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Key Idea: balance environment, economy, and society.
What is sustainable science?
A scientific field focused on:
Understanding human–environment interactions
Creating solutions that are environmentally sound
Ensuring long-term ecological and societal well-being
It integrates ecology, economics, engineering, and social sciences.
Who are some heroes of Today’s generation? (These are typical examples professors expect.)
Greta Thunberg – climate activism
David Attenborough – environmental education
Jane Goodall – conservation
Wangari Maathai – reforestation
Elon Musk – renewable energy/EVs (though some professors vary on this)
Indigenous land and water protectors
What are some key causes advocated by Today’s generation?
Climate change action
Renewable energy
Social justice & equity
Biodiversity conservation
Protection of Indigenous rights
Zero-waste lifestyles
Environmental justice
Why are there differences between generations in heroes and causes? How does this relate to sustainability? Why differences exist?
Uncovering errors in scientific observations or reasoning is the everyday work of scientists, but…
Some scientists, even eminent ones, have ruined their careers by being inclined to conclude what they expected to conclude at the start of a study. They fool themselves.
Pseudoscience:
Younger generations grew up with more visible climate impacts
Greater access to global information and activism
Cultural shifts in values
Different economic circumstances
New technology shaping priorities
Connection to sustainability
Each generation focuses on issues shaped by:
The environmental threats they see
The resources available
Their perceived responsibility for future generations
Younger people prioritize sustainability more because climate change affects their future directly.
Pathological Science
A way of thinking that does not follow the Scientific Method (and therefore is not science), but whose practitioners believe it to be science.
Junk Science
Purported theories with little supporting evidence, crafted to fool lawmakers, judges, or the public.
Summary
The environment is a complex, dynamic system that requires the application of scientific principles to understand its operation.
The Scientific Method is a set of rigorous checks and balances to ensure the integrity of the process.
The pursuit of science can go awry, based on various motivations. Understanding how this happens helps to understand the need for the Scientific Method.
Test your learning:
What role does the Scientific Method play in addressing current societal challenges?
Can you identify examples of Voodoo Science in how these challenges are being addressed?
UGS 303 Study Guide: Topic 2 - The Scientific Method
I. Introduction to the Scientific Method
Understanding the investigation into Earth's problems requires a scientific approach to discern how the planet operates.
Questions raised include:
How do we investigate and understand these problems facing planet Earth?
Should we care?
II. What is Science?
A. Definition and Process
The Scientific Method
Involves hypothesis formation, testing, and peer review.
Important distinctions:
Observations vs Inferences:
Observations are concrete: "the globe has warmed."
Inferences are forecasts: "the globe will continue to warm."
Glossary of Key Terms:
Hypothesis:
A tentative assumption established on observed data for testing its logical consequences.
Theory:
A plausible or scientifically acceptable principle(s) that explains phenomena.
Law:
A statement delineating the predictable relationships of phenomena established to be consistent under specific conditions (e.g., Law of Gravity, Laws of Thermodynamics).
B. Peer Review
Involves the publication of findings in peer-reviewed outlets allowing for dissemination and critical assessment by the scientific community.
III. Science vs. Non-Science
A. Characteristics of Scientific Conclusions
Tentative: Subject to change as new data emerges.
Testable and Falsifiable: Must be verifiable through experimentation.
Extensive Documentation: Findings are recorded in detail for reference and replication.
Peer Scrutiny: Results are constantly evaluated by peers to ensure reliability.
Public Dissemination and Critique: Scientific knowledge is shared and critiqued indefinitely.
B. Distinction from Non-Science
Non-science, such as astrology, does not follow methodical principles and cannot reliably predict outcomes.
Critical Question: Are science and religion mutually exclusive?
IV. Forms of Non-Science
A. Defining Non-Science
Science is crucial for rational predictions especially regarding planetary sustainability and resource management.
Must we rely on science to address questions such as:
When will we run out of non-sustainable resources like oil or groundwater?
What are the environmental impacts of fossil fuel combustion?
How to grow enough food sustainably for an increasing population?
B. Types of Non-Science
Pathological Science:
Researchers biased toward expected results, often leading to erroneous conclusions.
Some formerly esteemed scientists have faced career setbacks due to this bias.
Pseudoscience:
Beliefs or methodologies that do not adhere to the scientific method.
Examples:
Are aliens frequently visiting Earth?
Did the lunar landing genuinely occur?
Junk Science:
Distorted theories lacking substantial evidence, often intended to mislead policymakers or the public.
V. Societal Implications and Media Influence
Exploration into why misleading the public could occur and the media's role in perpetuating/ counteracting such phenomena.
Inquiry into unexplainable exceptions and connections with mediums who provide services based on supernatural claims.
A. Addressing Scientific Information
Exploration of how scientific findings can be effectively communicated to the public and policymakers.
Consideration of financial implications if scientific consensus conflicts with economic interests.
VI. Study Questions
Identify key components of the Scientific Method.
Provide examples of voodoo science beyond those listed in the syllabus.
Reflect on Dr. Banner's shortcuts during the Vitamin O experiment concerning adherence to the scientific method.
Analyze the editorial regarding Coke's marketing practices in context to science versus junk science.
UGS 303 Study Guide: Topic 3 - Tragedy of the Commons
Define ‘carrying capacity.’
The maximum population size of a biological species that can be sustained indefinitely by a given environment without degrading that environment.
Why did Jacob Roggeveen recognize a problem in the creation of Moai statues on Easter Island?
Key resources involved: soil for agriculture, trees for building (including canoes), and food sources like fish and sweet potatoes.
Cultural Development:
Growth of population increased demand for resources leading to environmental strain.
Deforestation for larger canoes and agricultural expansion contributed to soil erosion and resource depletion.
Easter Island Environmental Collapse
Cycle of Expansion: Growing population led to increased land clearing, fostering soil erosion and diminishing agricultural capacity.
Survivorship and Resource Competition:
Struggles among species, including humans and rats, for limited resources depicted environmental challenges.
Modern Implications
Modern examples of the Tragedy of the Commons:
The Ogallala Aquifer serves as a modern regional commons that is over-exploited.
Global Commons: Atmosphere changes noted in Antarctic ice core data and Mauna Loa carbon dioxide concentration statistics.
Discussion Prompt:
Compare modern society to that of Easter Island in terms of environmental impact and resource consumption.
Notable Quote by Jared Diamond: "If mere thousands of Easter Islanders with just stone tools and their own muscle power sufficed to destroy their environment and thereby destroyed their society, how can billions of people with metal tools and machine power now fail to do worse?"
What is the “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico?
A large area of hypoxic (low-oxygen) water primarily caused by nutrient runoff from the Mississippi River basin.
Cause:
Excess nitrogen & phosphorus → algal blooms → decomposition → oxygen depletion → fish and marine life cannot survive.
What is the trend in atmospheric CO₂ over time? Cause? Consequences?
Trend:
CO₂ has increased sharply since the Industrial Revolution.
Cause:
Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, industrial and agricultural activities.
Consequences:
Global warming, sea-level rise, ocean acidification, stronger storms, disrupted ecosystems & species extinction.
In a warmer world, will hurricanes become more intense and destructive? How do we know?
Yes. Research shows:
Warmer ocean water = more fuel for hurricanes, more Category 4 & 5 storms, increased rainfall during storms, slower-moving storms cause more flooding.
We know this from:
Climate models, historical storm data, physics of heat-energy transfer, observed trends in recent decades.
How does the efficiency of mosquito infection with West Nile Virus change as temperature increases?
Mosquitoes become infected more quickly and at higher rates; the virus replicates faster inside mosquitoes, leading to more transmission and greater outbreak risk in warmer climates.
What is sustainability?
Living in a way that meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ needs. Key Idea: balance between environment, economy, and society.
What is sustainable science?
Understanding human-environment interactions, developing environmentally sound solutions, ensuring long-term ecological and societal well-being incorporating ecology, economics, engineering, and social sciences.
Who are some heroes of Today’s generation?
Examples: Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough, Jane Goodall, Wangari Maathai, Elon Musk, Indigenous land and water protectors.
What are some key causes advocated by Today’s generation?
Climate change action, renewable energy, social justice & equity, biodiversity conservation, protection of Indigenous rights, zero-waste lifestyles, environmental justice.
Why are there differences between generations?
Variability shaped by visible climate impacts and cultural shifts; younger generations prioritize sustainability as climate change affects their future directly.
Environmental Change, Policy & Society
Are There Paths to Sustainable Solutions?
General Attitudes Toward Environmental Changes
Dual Perspectives:
Action-Oriented View: Engage and intervene to prevent further deterioration.
Apathy-Nature: Skepticism about the feasibility of significant improvement and the complexity of issues.
Example of Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming
Skepticism surrounding climate change often fueled by media portrayal and disinformation.
Confirmatory data from satellite measurements support warming trends.
Highlighting ongoing climate impacts such as increased disease spread, intensified storm events, and altered precipitation patterns across the U.S.
Reasons for Optimism
Historical Examples:
Successful policy implementations like the Montreal Protocol and lead removal from gasoline, indicating successful collective action can occur.
Reasons for Pessimism
Significant fossil fuel dependency explains greenhouse gas emissions; complexities arise in cohesive climate action development involving multiple stakeholders.
Technological Solutions (Geoengineering)
Diverse methods for potential climate intervention such as carbon capture and solar radiation management, with associated challenges including ecological side effects.
Conclusion and Future Projections
Maintaining an optimistic outlook about potential engagement and advocacy while recognizing structural barriers impeding effective change.