Transcript CHAPTER 1 Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and
Environmental Problems, Their Causes, and Sustainability
Environmental Science: Study of Connections in Nature
“The environment is everything that isn’t me.“ Interdisciplinary science connecting information and ideas from Natural sciences: ecology, biology, geology, chemistry… Social sciences: geography, politics, economics Humanities: ethics, philosophy
Environmental biology
: emphasizing the living aspects of environmental science
Study of Connections in Nature
How nature works How the environment affects us How we affect the environment How to deal with environmental problems How to live more sustainably
Principles of Sustainability
Nature has sustained itself for billions of years by using solar energy, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling.
Our lives and economies depend on these same principles.
From Simple Cell to
Homo Sapiens
Fig. 1-2, p. 7
What is sustainability?
Environmental Protection Agency Sustainability creates and maintains the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.
North Carolina State University The concept of sustainability centers on a balance of society, economy and environment for current and future health. Responsible resource management in all three areas ensures that future generations will have the resources they need to survive and thrive.
Nature’s Survival Strategies Follow Three Principles of Sustainability
1.
Reliance on solar energy
The sun provides warmth and fuels photosynthesis
2.
Biodiversity
Astounding variety and adaptability of natural systems and species
3.
Chemical cycling (nutrient cycling)
Circulation of chemicals from the environment to organisms and then back to the environment
Three Principles of Sustainability
Natural Capital
Natural capital includes
Natural resources —
useful materials and energy in nature
Natural services
—important nature processes such as renewal of air, water, and soil Humans degrade natural capital Scientific solutions needed for sustaining natural capital
Natural Capital = Natural Resources + Natural Services
Fig. 1-4, p. 9
Natural Capital Degradation
What is the problem?
What is the solution?
What tools do we need?
Fig. 1-6, p. 10
Our Ecological Footprints Affect the Earth
As our ecological footprints grow, we are depleting and degrading more of the earth’s natural capital.
Environmental degradation (natural capital degradation) is the wasting, depleting, and degrading of the earth’s natural capital
Fig. 1-9, p. 13