Environmental Science

The application of all fields of science to solve environmental problems

Environmental PrinciplesResources and Resource UseEnvironmental PollutionSocial Aspects of Environmental Science

Environmental Principles?

Impact = population x technology Use of ‘the commons’ Things change!! Others?

Some examples:

Have we changed the rate at which ‘things’ change?

Environmental Principles

The environment consists of 4 spheres:

LithosphereAtmosphereHydrosphereBiosphere

What role does biogeochemical cycling play in the environment?

Resources & Resource Use

• Improve efficiency

• Reuse/recycling• Substitution

• Remove• Remediate• Restore

SocietyResources Sinks (Waste)

Input reduction Output management

Resources & Resource Use

• Sustainability = meeting the needs of today without reducing the quality of life for future generations

What are resources? Minerals/metals productsFuels Energy (fossil, nuclear, biomass)Water Life, EnergyFood (soils, plants, animals, fish) EnergyBiological biodiversity, esthetics

Resources & Resource Use

Renewable Resources vs. Nonrenewable resources

• can be regenerated within a few human generations vs.

• can not be regenerated within a few human generations

What are ways we can prevent depletion of resources?

Should sustainability be part of these definitions?

Environmental PollutionPollution: excess outputs by society into the environment

sink pollutantexamples:

How has ‘pollution’ changed over time?

Do we need to be concerned about each of these?

What about: • Lead?• N-fertilizer?• Milk?• Pesticides?

Typical methods for dealing with pollution are:

Can you suggest a better way?

RemovalRestorationRemediation

Environmental Pollution

Input reduction: efficiency improvements, substitution, recycle/reuse

Social Aspects of Environmental Science

What are social issues that affect our environment?

Human population:

Does human population affect these?

Would your answer change if:Would your answer change if:Would your answer change if:Would your answer change if:Growth?Stability? Decline?

Social Aspects of Environmental Science

What are some social solutions for environmental management?

Economic……Legal…………Education……Ethics/ Persuasion..

incentives, green taxeslaws, regulations, eliminate subsidiesmedia, environmental science

peer interactions/conservation groups

Environmental economics studies society and the natural environment as a single

system.

How do ethics relate to social aspects of environmental management?

How does this differ from traditional economic theory?

How does this differ from traditional economic theory?

Social Aspects of Environmental Science

Do you think environmental quality is better in the US today or during your parent’s or grandparent’s childhood?

What about for your children?

What about the US today versus other developed countries? Developing countries?

Social Aspects of Environmental Science