Chapter 1

Environmental ScienceDCHSMr. Wustrack

• Explain the focus of environmental science.

• Describe the recent trends in human population and resource consumption

Chapter 1.1Objectives

Viewed from space◦ Earth may seem vast here on the

surface but thing about it relative to the rest of the universe

Technology….friend or foe?◦ As technology increases so does

our ability to change our planet and possibly damage the very systems that keep us alive.

Our Environment

The environment includes all living and nonliving things with which organisms interact.◦ Abiotic and biotic factors

Levels of organization in nature◦ Atoms◦ Molecules◦ Organelles◦ Cells◦ Tissue◦ Organs◦ Organ systems◦ Organism

◦ Populations◦ Biological Communities◦ Ecosystem/Environment◦ Biomes◦ Biosphere

Our Environment

Humans are apart of nature not excluded from it

Improvements in our lives can and have come at an expense to natures systems◦ Destroying habitats and polluting the water and

atmosphere◦ Synthetic chemicals have harmed the ozone layer

has served as a wake-up call to the threat to our long-term health and survival.

Our Environment

Environmental science is the study of how the natural world works, how our environment affects us, and how we affect our environment.

Environmental scientists study issues that are important to our world and its future.◦ Global conditions are changing quickly but so is

our understanding of the natural world.

Our Environment

Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism◦ Environmental Science

Looks to develop solutions to environmental problems Interdisciplinary Objectionable and non-bias

◦ Environmentalism Social movement dedicated to protecting the natural

world – and by extension, people – from undesirable change brought about by humans.

Very biased in their view points and approach to solving problems Extreme environmentalists (terrorism)

Our Environment

Natural Resources are material and energy sources found in nature, that humans need to survive.

Renewable vs. Nonrenewable◦ Renewable natural resources are resources that

are naturally replenished or renewed over short periods or time.

◦ Nonrenewable resources are naturally formed much more slowly than we use them. Once completely depleted, or used up, they are gone

forever.

Population up, Resources Down

Resources always available◦ Sunlight, Wind, Geothermal energy (heat from the

earth) Resources that must be used at a

sustainable rate.◦ Timber (wood), Fresh water, Agricultural crops,

Soil In recent years, consumption of natural

resources has increased to unsustainable levels, driven by the growth of the largest human population in history.

Population up, Resources Down

Through out most of human history populations have been relatively steady and with only slight increases

Agricultural Revolution◦ Grow crops, domesticate live stock◦ About 8000 B.C.

The largest spike in human population occurred at the industrial revolution◦ 1700’s◦ From animal power to fossil fuels◦ Fossil fuels are nonrenewable energy

resources, such as oil, coal and natural gases.

Population Up, Resources Down

Initial rise in population viewed as a good thing◦ Kids to help parents in old age◦ More labor for factories

Population Up, Resources Down

Problems with population growth◦ Not everyone viewed it as positive

Thomas Malthus◦ Some scientists believe while

technology can stretch out our resources, it is only a matter of time before there is a global population crisis

The size of the population is not the problem alone but how much we consume in resources

An ecological footprint expresses the amount of land and water required to (1) provide the raw materials the individual or population consumes and (2) dispose of or recycle the waste the individual or population produces

Usually applied to humans but all organisms and natural or synthetic objects leave an ecological footprint

Population Up, Resources Down

Global Ecological Footprint

Tragedy of Commons◦ Over use of resources will leave us with nothing◦ People take and use without thinking about

consequences◦ Southern Africa suffers from a modern day

tragedy of commons

Population Up, Resources Down

Explain what science is.

Describe the process of science.

Chapter 1.2 Objectives

Science is both a methodical and organized way of studying the natural world and the knowledge gained from such studies.

Modern scientists have explained science as the systematic process for learning about the natural world the accumulated body of knowledge gained from that process.

So it is the process of learning and what we have already learned.

What Science Is and Is Not

Science relies on evidence◦ Opinions are not science

Which flower is prettier? What do you find attractive?

◦ How can these be turned into a scientific study?

◦ Evidence is gathered through research, tests, and then results are analyzed and conclusions drawn based on data and not opinion.

What Science Is and Is Not

Science, Skepticism, and Change◦ Nothing can every be proven no matter how much

data is collected.◦ Scientists are naturally skeptical and don’t accept

what they hear from others as true…..they must find answers through testing to scientific questions.

◦ Accept vs “Believing in” Accepting based on evidence Believing in something usually refers to accepting

something without supporting evidence.◦ Scientists can and have changed what they

accept based on new evidence.

What Science Is and Is Not

Quest for understanding◦ Ask questions◦ Make observations◦ Seek evidence◦ Share ideas◦ Analyze data

Not linear◦ Results often lead to more questions or

discoveries and then new tests

The Process of Science

Observations lead to questions Curiosity is a fundamental human

characteristic Questions lead to hypotheses

◦ A hypothesis is a testable idea that attempts to explore a phenomenon or answer a scientific question. MUST BE TESTABLE TO BE A GOOD HYPOTHESIS!!!!!!

The Process of Science

Hypotheses are used to generate predictions which are specific statements about what we would expect to observe if the hypotheses are true.

Modeling is used when the phenomenon can’t be observed directly.◦ Tectonic plate motions◦ Mathematics to predict population sizes

Based on data already collected.

The Process of Science

Experiments are designed to test the validity of a prediction or a hypothesis◦ Involves manipulation of variables

Independent variable Change added to experiment

Dependent variable Results brought about by independent variable

◦ Hypothesis Adding fertilizer to a pond will increase algae growth.

I.V. – addition of fertilizer D.V. – growth of algae

Ethical experiments

The Process of Science

Controlled Studies vs. Observational Studies◦ Controlled

All variables are controlled except 1 Experiment is repeated many times

◦ Observational Observing the natural world-descriptive Not all evidence can be collected in a lab

The Process of Science

Ideas can never be completely proven or disproven◦ Science changes with new discoveries and data

Theory of Evolution Data

◦ Quantitative Amount or numerical

◦ Qualitative Descriptive

The Process of Science

Describe the major roles of the scientific community in the process of science.

Explain the study of environmental ethics

Chapter 1.3 Objectives

Scientists share findings with each other◦ Conferences, meetings, etc.

Receives comments which aids in improving the quality of their work before submitting to a journal or other publication

◦ Peer Review Review of research before it is published

It will either be sent for publication or sent back for the scientist to address comments by the committee.

◦ Replication Sound science comes from replication of results…not

a one time occurrence.

Community Analysis and Feedback

Self correction in science◦ Science is always evolving and new

discoveries/evidence is being made every day. Earth center of the universe, earth is flat

Scientific Theory Building◦ Hypothesis◦ Theory◦ Law◦ Misuse of the term theory in every day language.

Realm of science General population

Community Analysis and Feedback

Ethics◦ Branch of philosophy that involves the study of

behavior: good and bad; right and wrong Culture and Worldview

◦ Different cultures have different ethical practices Culture is defined as the ensemble of knowledge,

beliefs, values, and leaned ways of life shared by a group of people.

◦ Personal experiences combined with your culture influences your perception of the world and your place in it is known as your worldview.

Benefits and Outcomes

Science and worldview◦ Science is objective but worldview influences how

society interprets and acts on the results science produces.

Ethics and the Environment◦ Environmental ethics is the application of ethical

standards to relationships between humans and their environment.

Benefits and Outcomes

Does the present generation have an obligation to conserving resources for future generations?◦ What if it means people today will suffer?

Three ethical standards◦ Anthropocentrism◦ Biocentrism◦ Ecocentrism

Benefits and Outcomes

Anthropocentrism◦ Human welfare oriented

Humans before environment and other living things Biocentrism

◦ Value to all living things Evaluates actions in terms of overall effects on living

and nonliving things Some may value one type of organism over another.

Ecocentrism◦ Value towards ecosystem over any given

individual

Ethical Standards

Bottom line◦ Scientists…especially environmental scientists

study and understand the environment and how we impact it

◦ The more we understand the more we can find effective ways to live full, healthy, and sustainably on this diverse and complex planet

Towards the future