Science 1206 - Biology

Sustainability of Ecosystems

Unit Intro Read the chapter descriptions on pages

4 and 5 Think of at least one question you have

about something in the content of this unit.

Be ready to share that question with the class.

What is the significance of this picture?

First photo showing the full view of the earth. Taken in December of 1972

Read page 6 “Seeking a new way”

What evidence is there that we affect the environment?

Questions to Ponder What is the value of a boreal

forest? What if it were to be clear-cut?

How would you react to someone changing car oil and letting it run into the ground?

Do you think our attitudes are changing about the way we view the environment?

Can you think of any evidence or behaviours which indicate that we/humans are concerned about the environment? Recycle old cars Waste management programs Laws against using certain chemicals

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Sustainability

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Reflect:

What does the word sustainability mean

to you?

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What is Sustainability?

Sustainability explained by an animation.

{Notes: to end of Sustainability}

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Define Sustainability

Sustainability means using the earth’s resources to satisfy our needs today while ensuring access to these resources for future generations.

Sustainability Sustainable use of earth’s resources

requires careful use our renewable and non-renewable resources.

Sustainability Non-renewable resource:

resources that are limited and once consumed will not regenerate, Ex: Oil, coal, gas, minerals, nuclear fuel

Sustainability Renewable resources: resources

that will replenish themselves if properly managed. Ex: Forests, fishery, water, sunlight

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Earth as a Sustainable System

Many share the opinion that earth is a sustainable system as long as we do not use renewable resources faster than they are replaced or recycled.

Industry Group DiscussionIn a small group: You will be given one of the following

industries: Forestry, Mining, Tourism, Hunting, Hydroelectricity,

Agriculture, Oil extraction, Aquaculture (fish farming)

Discuss how this industry might operate sustainably. In other words: How does this industry pose a threat to the

environment? Are there or should there be certain rules in place

to protect the environment? What responsibilities should companies in this

industry have? Are things done differently today than before?

Changing Paradigms

What is a Paradigm?

What is a Paradigm?

Paradigm: A commonly accepted view on a subject.

Can you think of anything that might be considered a paradigm?

Paradigm (Example)Ex: people used to think

that all of earth’s resources were there for us to use as we please.

Has this changed?

Paradigm (Example)For example, our early

forefathers believed there was an endless supply of resources such as fish on Earth.

What is a paradigm shift? When large groups of

individuals begin to shift their viewpoint on a topic is it known as a paradigm shift.

Paradigm Shifts

Can you think of any other examples of paradigm shifts??

Paradigm Shift (Example)

When people stopped believing that Earth was the centre of the universe.

The new belief was that Sun was the centre of the solar system.

Paradigm Shift (Example)People also believed they were totally

unrelated to other animal life here on Earth.

Paradigm Shift (Example)Humans were placed on this Earth to

rule over it and make use of the seemingly endless resources.

Newfoundland Industry

Forestry - Abitibi Bowater in Newfoundland

A forestry and pulp and paper company that has operated in Newfoundland since the early 1900’s.

Newfoundland Industry

Newfoundland Industry

Early Logging technology was slow and required hand tools.

Newfoundland Industry

Easy movement of logs required access to rivers.

Log Drivers Waltz

Newfoundland Industry

As technology has improved, so has our impact on the environment.

Abitibi/Bowater operations were no exception!

Newfoundland Industry

Steam Power: could move logs more easily across land.

Newfoundland Industry

Combustion Engines: easier to cut and move wood!

Newfoundland Industry

Electricity to process the wood and make paper!

Newfoundland Industry

What environmental harms come from these processes? Harvesting timber? Transporting logs? Processing timber?

Modern Views are Changing The faster we could process

resources, the more visible our impacts on the environment have become.

Forestry Act (1990)

All users must comply with sustainable forest management policies as laid out by the department of natural resources forestry division.

Modern Views are Changing This has caused people to start

changing their views:The environment is for our

use, not to be abused. We need to protect the

environment, not destroy it.

Modern Views are Changing But is this shift real? Has the old world view that the Earth and all

things on it exist for our benefit changed? Has our civilization been

created on the idea of unlimited expansion and use of resources?

Changes in Paradigm About FisheryIn the old days.... Fish would be taken from the

seas with no thought about the number that remained.

Technology used included the use open boat known as a dory and a single jigger

Changes in Paradigm About FisheryIn modern times...Technology has changed to

include the use of factory ships which make use of dragnets.

Modern technology has destroyed the fish stocks.

New Versus Old Technology

Old Technology New Technology

CBC Cod Stock Assessmen

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Fracking Debate

Recently companies have been wanting to explore for natural gas on Newfoundland’s west coast.

The government has currently prohibited any exploration. y

Debate: For your Role, determine your position

(opinion/belief) about the cod fishery Provide as many arguments (reasons) as possible to

support your position.

Suncor

Tar Sands – Dirty Truth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtYJDxy2-SI