Chapter 1Chapter 1

Environmental Environmental Problems, Their Causes, Problems, Their Causes,

and Sustainabilityand Sustainability

Chapter Overview QuestionsChapter Overview Questions

What are the main themes of this book?What are the main themes of this book?

What keeps us alive? What is an What keeps us alive? What is an environmentally sustainable society?environmentally sustainable society?

How fast is the human population growing?How fast is the human population growing?

What is the difference between economic What is the difference between economic growth, economic development, and growth, economic development, and environmentally sustainable economic environmentally sustainable economic development?development?

Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)Chapter Overview Questions (cont’d)

What are the harmful environmental effects What are the harmful environmental effects of poverty and affluence?of poverty and affluence?

What three major human cultural changes What three major human cultural changes have taken place since humans arrived?have taken place since humans arrived?

What are the four scientific principles of What are the four scientific principles of sustainability and how can we use them and sustainability and how can we use them and shared visions to build more environmentally shared visions to build more environmentally sustainable and just societies during this sustainable and just societies during this century?century?

Updates OnlineUpdates Online

The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at The latest references for topics covered in this section can be found at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at the book companion website. Log in to the book’s e-resources page at www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles. www.thomsonedu.com to access InfoTrac articles.

InfoTrac: Rescuing a planet under stress. Lester R. Brown. InfoTrac: Rescuing a planet under stress. Lester R. Brown. The FuturistThe Futurist, July-August 2006 v40 i4 p18(12). , July-August 2006 v40 i4 p18(12).

InfoTrac: Save the planet. Tod Goldberg. InfoTrac: Save the planet. Tod Goldberg. Better NutritionBetter Nutrition, , April 2006 v68 i4 p56(1).April 2006 v68 i4 p56(1).

InfoTrac: Redefining American Beauty, by the Yard. Patricia InfoTrac: Redefining American Beauty, by the Yard. Patricia Leigh Brown. Leigh Brown. The New York TimesThe New York Times, July 13, 2006 pF1(L)., July 13, 2006 pF1(L).

Ideal BiteIdeal Bite TreehuggerTreehugger Earth Day NetworkEarth Day Network

Core Case Study: Core Case Study: Living in an Exponential AgeLiving in an Exponential Age

Human population growth: Human population growth: JJ-shaped curve-shaped curve

Figure 1-1Figure 1-1

Fig. 1-1, p. 6

IndustrialRevolution

?

Agricultural revolutionHunting andGathering

Billio

ns o

f peo

ple

Time

Black Death—the Plague

LIVING MORE SUSTAINABLYLIVING MORE SUSTAINABLY

… … the study of how the earth works, how we the study of how the earth works, how we interact with the earth and how to deal with interact with the earth and how to deal with environmental problems.environmental problems.

Figure 1-2Figure 1-2

Fig. 1-2, p. 7

Air(atmosphere)

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

Human CulturesphereEarth's Life-Support System

Politics

PopulationSize

Worldviewsand ethics

EconomicsLife

(biosphere)

Soil and rocks

(lithosphere)

Water(hydrosphere)

What is Environmental Science?What is Environmental Science?

The goals of environmental science are to The goals of environmental science are to learn:learn: how nature works.how nature works. how the environment effects us.how the environment effects us. how we effect the environment.how we effect the environment. how we can live more sustainably without how we can live more sustainably without

degrading our life-support system.degrading our life-support system.

Sustainability, is the ability of earth’s various Sustainability, is the ability of earth’s various systems to survive and adapt to systems to survive and adapt to environmental conditions indefinitely.environmental conditions indefinitely.

The steps to sustainability must be The steps to sustainability must be supported by sound science.supported by sound science.

Figure 1-3Figure 1-3

Sustainability: The Integrative ThemeSustainability: The Integrative Theme

Fig. 1-3, p. 8

Sound Science

A Path to SustainabilityIndividuals

MatterTrade-OffsSolutionsNatural Capital

DegradationNatural Capital

Environmentally Sustainable SocietiesEnvironmentally Sustainable Societies

… … meets basic needs of its people in a just meets basic needs of its people in a just and equitable manner without degrading the and equitable manner without degrading the natural capital that supplies these resources.natural capital that supplies these resources.

Figure 1-4Figure 1-4

Fig. 1-4, p. 9

+=NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL SERVICES

NATURAL CAPITAL NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL SERVICES

Air Air purification

Water purification

Water storage

Soil renewal

Nutrient recycling

Food productionConservation of biodiversity

Wildlife habitatGrassland and forest renewal

Waste treatment

Climate controlPopulation control(species interactions

Pest Control

NATURAL CAPITAL = +

Water

Soil

Land

Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)

Life (Biodiversity)

Renewable energysun, wind, water flows

Nonrenewable energy (fossil fuels, nuclear power)

NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL SERVICES

NATURAL CAPITAL

NATURAL CAPITAL

NATURAL RESOURCES

NATURAL RESOURCES

Air

Water

Soil

Land

Life (biodiversity)

Nonrenewable minerals (iron, sand)

Renewable energy(sun, wind, water flows)

Nonrenewable energy(fossil fuels, nuclear power)

NATURAL SERVICES

NATURAL CAPITAL

Air purification

Water purification

Soil renewal

Nutrient recycling

Food production

Pollination

Grassland renewal

Forest renewal

Waste treatment

Climate Control

Population control(species interactions)

Pest control

Stepped Art

=

=

+

+

Fig. 1-4, p. 9

POPULATION GROWTH, POPULATION GROWTH, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic growth provides people with more Economic growth provides people with more goods and services.goods and services. Measured in gross domestic product (GDP) and Measured in gross domestic product (GDP) and

purchasing power parity (PPP).purchasing power parity (PPP). Economic development uses economic Economic development uses economic

growth to improve living standards.growth to improve living standards. The world’s countries economic status The world’s countries economic status

(developed vs. developing) are based on their (developed vs. developing) are based on their degree of industrialization and GDP-PPP.degree of industrialization and GDP-PPP.

Global OutlookGlobal Outlook

Comparison of Comparison of developed and developed and developing countries.developing countries.

Figures 1-5 and 1-6Figures 1-5 and 1-6

Fig. 1-5, p. 11

Percentage of World's

Population

Developing countriesDeveloped countries

Pollutionand waste

Resourceuse

Wealth andIncome

PopulationGrowth

18

82

0.1

1.5

85

15

12

75

25

88

Fig. 1-6, p. 11

RESOURCESRESOURCES

PerpetualPerpetual: : On a human time scale are On a human time scale are continuous.continuous.

RenewableRenewable:: On a human time scale can be On a human time scale can be replenished rapidly (e.g. hours to several replenished rapidly (e.g. hours to several decades).decades).

NonrenewableNonrenewable: : On a human time scale are On a human time scale are in fixed supply.in fixed supply.

Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources

Exist as fixed quantityExist as fixed quantity Becomes economically Becomes economically

depleted.depleted. Recycling and reusing Recycling and reusing

extends supplyextends supply Recycling processes waste Recycling processes waste

material into new material.material into new material. Reuse is using a resource Reuse is using a resource

over again in the same form.over again in the same form.

Figure 1-8Figure 1-8

Our Ecological FootprintOur Ecological Footprint

Humanity’s ecological Humanity’s ecological footprint has exceeded footprint has exceeded earths ecological earths ecological capacity.capacity. Figure 1-7Figure 1-7

Fig. 1-7a, p. 13

Total Footprint (million hectares) andShare of Global Ecological Capacity (%)

United States2,810 (25%)

European Union2,160 (19%)

China2,050 (18%)

India 780 (7%)

Japan 540 (5%)

Fig. 1-7b, p. 13

Footprint Per Person(hectares per person)

United States 9.7

4.7European Union

1.6China

India

Japan

0.8

4.8

Fig. 1-7c, p. 13

Nu

mb

er o

f E

arth

s

Humanity's Ecological Footprint

Earth’s Ecological Capacity

Year

POLLUTIONPOLLUTION

Found at high enough Found at high enough levels in the levels in the environment to cause environment to cause harm to organisms.harm to organisms. Point sourcePoint source Nonpoint sourceNonpoint source

Figure 1-9Figure 1-9

PollutionPollution Pollutants can have three types of unwanted Pollutants can have three types of unwanted

effects:effects: Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems.Can disrupt / degrade life-support systems. Can damage health and property.Can damage health and property. Can create nuisances such as noise and Can create nuisances such as noise and

unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights.unpleasant smells, tastes, and sights.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS: CAUSES AND CONNECTIONSCAUSES AND CONNECTIONS

The major causes of environmental The major causes of environmental problems are:problems are: Population growthPopulation growth Wasteful resource useWasteful resource use PovertyPoverty Poor environmental accountingPoor environmental accounting Ecological ignoranceEcological ignorance

Fig. 1-10, p. 17

Depletion of nonrenewable resources

SOLAR CAPITAL

Human Capital Human Economic

and Cultural Systems

Pollution and waste

Degradation of renewable resources

Heat

Goods and services

Natural Capital

EARTH

Natural capital degradationNatural capital degradation

The exponential increasing flow of material The exponential increasing flow of material resources through the world’s economic resources through the world’s economic systems depletes, degrades and pollutes the systems depletes, degrades and pollutes the environment.environment.

Figure 1-11Figure 1-11

Fig. 1-11, p. 17

Causes of Environmental Problems

Trying to manage and simplify nature

with too little knowledge about

how it works

Not including theenvironmental costsof economic goodsand services in theirmarket prices

PovertyUnsustainableresource use

Populationgrowth

Solutions: Prevention vs. CleanupSolutions: Prevention vs. Cleanup

Problems with relying on cleanup:Problems with relying on cleanup: Temporary bandage without improvements in Temporary bandage without improvements in

control technology.control technology. Often removes a pollutant from one part of the Often removes a pollutant from one part of the

environment to cause problems in another.environment to cause problems in another. Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to Pollutants at harmful levels can cost too much to

reduce them to acceptable levels.reduce them to acceptable levels.

Poverty and Environmental ProblemsPoverty and Environmental Problems

1 of 3 children 1 of 3 children under 5, suffer under 5, suffer from severe from severe malnutrition.malnutrition.

Figure 1-12 and 1-13Figure 1-12 and 1-13

Fig. 1-12, p. 18

1.1 billion (17%)

1.1 billion (17%)

1.1 billion (17%)

Enough foodfor good health

Adequatehealth care

Clean drinkingWater

Enough fuel forheating and

cooking

Electricity

AdequateSanitation

Number of people(% of world's population)

Lack ofaccess to

1.6 billion (25%)

2 billion (31%)

2.4 billion (37%)

Resource Consumption and Resource Consumption and Environmental ProblemsEnvironmental Problems

UnderconsumptionUnderconsumption OverconsumptionOverconsumption

Affluenza: unsustainable addiction to Affluenza: unsustainable addiction to overconsumption and materialism.overconsumption and materialism.

Connections between Environmental Connections between Environmental Problems and Their CausesProblems and Their Causes

Figure 1-14Figure 1-14

Fig. 1-14, p. 20

Developing Countries

Population (P)Consumption

per person(affluence, A)

Technological impact per unit of

consumption (T)

Environmentalimpact of

population (I)

Developed Countries

CULTURAL CHANGES AND THE CULTURAL CHANGES AND THE ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT

Agricultural revolutionAgricultural revolution Allowed people to stay in one place.Allowed people to stay in one place.

Industrial-medical revolutionIndustrial-medical revolution Led shift from rural villages to urban society.Led shift from rural villages to urban society. Science improved sanitation and disease control.Science improved sanitation and disease control.

Information-globalization revolutionInformation-globalization revolution Rapid access to information.Rapid access to information.

Which single Which single advantage and advantage and disadvantage are disadvantage are the most important?the most important?

Figure 1-15Figure 1-15

Fig. 1-15, p. 23

Trade-Offs

Industrial-Medical Revolution

Advantages DIsadvantages

Mass production of useful and affordable products

Higher standard of living for many

Greatly increased agricultural production

Lower infant mortality

Longer life expectancy

Increased urbanization

Lower rate of population growth

Increased air pollution

Increased waste pollution

Soil depletion and degradation

Groundwater depletion

Habitat destruction and degradation

Biodiversity depletion

Increased water pollution

SUSTAINABILITY ANDSUSTAINABILITY ANDENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWSENVIRONMENTAL WORLDVIEWS

Technological optimists:Technological optimists: suggest that human ingenuity will keep the suggest that human ingenuity will keep the

environment sustainable.environment sustainable. Environmental pessimists:Environmental pessimists:

overstate the problems where our environmental overstate the problems where our environmental situation seems hopeless. situation seems hopeless.

How Would You Vote?How Would You Vote?

To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response To conduct an instant in-class survey using a classroom response system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main system, access “JoinIn Clicker Content” from the PowerLecture main menu for Living in the Environment. menu for Living in the Environment.

Is the society you live in on an unsustainable Is the society you live in on an unsustainable path?path? a. Yes: Without readily available green products a. Yes: Without readily available green products

and services, converting to a sustainable society and services, converting to a sustainable society is unrealistic.is unrealistic.

b. Not entirely: I'm doing what I can to improve b. Not entirely: I'm doing what I can to improve sustainability, including recycling and using less sustainability, including recycling and using less energy. energy.

Four Scientific Principles of Four Scientific Principles of Sustainability: Copy NatureSustainability: Copy Nature

Reliance on Solar Reliance on Solar EnergyEnergy

BiodiversityBiodiversity Population ControlPopulation Control Nutrient RecyclingNutrient Recycling

Figure 1-16Figure 1-16

Fig. 1-16, p. 24

Reliance onSolar Energy

Population ControlNutrient Recycling

Biodiversity

Aldo Leopold’s Environmental EthicsAldo Leopold’s Environmental Ethics

Individuals matter.Individuals matter. … … land is to be loved land is to be loved

and respected is an and respected is an extension of ethics.extension of ethics.

We abuse land We abuse land because we regard it because we regard it as a commodity…as a commodity…

Figure 1-AFigure 1-A

Implications of the Four Scientific Implications of the Four Scientific Principles of SustainabilityPrinciples of Sustainability

Figures 1-17 and 1-18Figures 1-17 and 1-18

Fig. 1-17, p. 25

Reduce human births and wasteful resourceuse to prevent environmental overload and depletion and degradation of resources.

Controls a species’population size and resource use by interactions with its environment and other species.

Runs on renewablesolar energy.

Rely mostly on renewable solar energy.

Recycles nutrients and wastes. There is little waste in nature.

Uses biodiversity to maintain itself and adapt to new environ-mental conditions.

Prevent and reducepollution and recycleand reuse resources.

Preserve biodiversity by protecting ecosystem services and habitats and preventing premature extinction of species.

Solutions

Principles of Sustainability

How Nature Works Lessons for Us

Fig. 1-18, p. 25

CurrentEmphasis

Pollution cleanup

Waste disposal (bury or burn)

Protecting species

Environmental degradation

Increased resource use

Population growth

Depleting and degrading natural capital

SustainabilityEmphasis

Pollution prevention (cleaner production)

Waste prevention and reduction

Protecting where species live (habitat protection)

Environmental restoration

Less wasteful (more efficient) resource use

Population stabilization by decreasing birth rates

Protecting natural capital and living off the biological interest it provides

Fig. 1-18, p. 25

Stepped Art