Science
is a way of knowing about the world around us. (Exploring and Explaining the world)
Environmental science
focuses on gaining an understanding of how the environment, with all of its biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, functions as well as how humans impact it or are impacted by it.
environmental science
examines the science-related implications of environmental issues
sustainability
worldview acknowledges that humans must have access to vital resources, but the exploitation of those necessities should be governed by appropriate ecological, intrinsic, and aesthetic values.
Sustainibilty form (The spaceship worldview)
The sustainability world view can assume various forms. The spaceship worldview is quite anthropocentric. It focuses only on sustaining resources needed by people, and it assumes that humans can exert a great degree of control over natural processes and can safely pilot “spaceship Earth.”
ecological sustainability
In contrast, ecological sustainability is more ecocentric. It considers people within an ecological context and focuses on sustaining all components of Earth’s life-support system by preventing human actions that would degrade them. In an ecologically sustainable economy, natural goods and services should be utilized only in ways that do not compromise their future availability and do not endanger the survival of species or natural ecosystems.
renewable resource
can regenerate after harvesting, and if managed suitably, can provide a supply that is sustainable forever. However, to be renewable, the ability of the resource to regenerate cannot be compromised by excessive harvesting or inappropriate management practices. Examples of renewable resources include fresh water, the biomass of trees and agricultural plants and livestock, and hunted animals such as fish and deer
non-renewable resource
A non-renewable resource is present in a finite quantity. As these resources are extracted from the environment, in a process referred to as mining, their stocks are inexorably diminished and so are available in increasingly smaller quantities for future generations. Non-renewable resources include metals and fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal.
keystone species
A keystone species is one whose presence has inordinate influence in maintaining the prevalence of various species in an ecosystem, the ecological community’s structure, and sometimes its biodiversity. Pisaster ochraceus, the intertidal sea star, is a keystone species in the northwestern portion of the United States (Figure below). Studies have shown that when this organism is removed from communities, mussel populations (their natural prey) increase, which completely alters the species composition and reduces biodiversity. Another keystone species is the banded tetra, a fish in tropical streams, which supplies nearly all of the phosphorus, a necessary inorganic nutrient, to the rest of the community. The banded tetra feeds largely on insects from the terrestrial ecosystem and then excretes phosphorus into the aquatic ecosystem. The relationships between populations in the community, and possibly the biodiversity, would change dramatically if these fish were to become extinct.
Social, Economic, and Environment.
Are the three pillars of sustainability.
Impact
If the population and technology stays the same, but affluence increases world-wide, what happens to impact? It goes up
Why does the sun's energy matter to us?
We're solar powered. Our plants our solar powered. Weather and climate depend on solar energy.
How does our sun "make" energy
By combining atoms in the core (nuclear fusion)
What happens to an ecosystem if a keystone species is removed?
The ecosystem is completely changed
What changed dramatically during the Industrial Revolution?
Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere increased. Human energy consumption dramatically increased. Extraction of fossil fuels increased.
What is climate change?
Long-term changes in precipitation and temperature and impacts
Why are electric cars not a simple solution to climate change?
Because most electricity is still made from fossil fuels
What was the largest use of water for most folks in the water calculator?
Food
Slightly more than 50% of the oil we extract is used to manufacture things instead of for energy.
True
As of 2024, where do most humans live?
Urban Areas
Why is meat considered "resource-intensive"?
A lot of resources are needed to produce meat
Technically, we do produce enough food to feed every human on Earth 2,000 calories per day.
True
Why does biodiversity matter?
Because loss of biodiversity impacts our air. Because all life on Earth is connected. Because loss of biodiversity impacts
What does sustainability mean?
Balance of resources
Resources
anything that is useful or valued by humans
IPAT Equations
Impact (on the planet or ecosystem being considered) = Population (number of individuals using resources) x Affluence (how much and what types of resources) x Technology (which fuels, transportation type)
What causes populations to grow
Number of People Born > Number of People Dying. Agricultural and Industrial Revolution and Public Health Measures
How does the sun make energy
Through a process called Nuclear fusion. Hydrogen atoms are combined to form helium atoms and energy, in the form of ligiht
Foundation Species
an organism that forms the base of eosystem. Usually at the bottom of the Foo Web and very abundant in that ecosystem
Alternative fuels to oil
Natural gas and coal
Biome
large scale community of organisms,, primarily defined on land by the dominant plant types that exists in geographic regions of the planet with similar climatic conditions
Biodiversity
a balance between speciation and extinction
Threats to biodiversity
Habitat loss, urban sprawl, hydro electric dams, clearing land for farming & overharvesting
Why does loss to bio diversity matter
Loss affects critical habitats, because of harmful pollutions and habitat safety and restoration of native species
How does the sun's energy get to Earth
Solar radiation (electromagnetic waves) is the source of energy that drives most environmental processes acting at the surface of the Earth
First human energy innovation
Fire
Does the word have enough oil to meet our future needs
The global supply of crude oil, otherliquid hydrocarbons and biofuels is expected to be adequate to meet the world's demand for liquid fuels through 2050.
What is climate?
Long term patterns of weather for a location.
Why are we worried about a changing climate
Melting glaciers, intense storms, longer periods of drought
How to we get oil from the Earth
We drill wells and use pressure to extract oil from deep underground, Sometimes we might inject pressurized water underground to help force oil or natural gas out (fracking)
What do we use freshwater for
To live, to produce food, electricity, and clothing. For hygiene and to make things.
How does human activity lead to algal blooms
Fossil fuels, agriculture, Urban sources, Industry
What is the difference between Urban and Rural
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Which model matches human population growth
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How is the world doing with gender equality
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Why do people move to cities
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What things do cities need to develop
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Why is urban sprawl a problem we need to address
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Why do we still have hungry people
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What are the requirements for organic farming
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Why is organic farming a more sustainable approach to farming than conventional agriculture
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What does the IPAT equation tell us
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