Chapter 1 Interreationship Lecture2

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LY SOPHANNAM.Sc. Environmental Management

BA / Foundation Year Course

Academic Year 2012/2013 2nd Semester

Lecture 2 Environmental Interrelationships

Curricular Unit Introduction to Environmental

Science

Faculty of Mathematics, Sciences, and EngineeringPannasastra University of Cambodia


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The Field of Environmental Science

Environmental Science is interdisciplinary, andincludes applied and theoretical aspects of human

impacts on the world.

A mixture of traditional science, individual andsocietal values, and political awareness.


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Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems

Environmentis everything that affects an organismduring its lifetime.


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Interrelated Nature Environmental Problems Contd

Most social and political decisions are made withrespect to political jurisdictions.

Environmental problems do not necessarilycoincide with artificial boundaries.

vForest fires in Mexico affecting air quality inTexas;

vAir pollutants from U.S. causing acid rain inCanada.


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International agencies such as the InternationalJoint Commission have major bearing on

environmental quality over broad regions.

Established in 1909, in part, to protect boundarywaters between the U.S. and Canada.


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First worldwide meeting on Environment: the EarthSummit (United Nations Conference onEnvironment and Development) in Rio de Janeiro

in 1992.

Most countries have also signed agreements onsustainable development and biodiversity.

In 1997, representatives from 125 nations met inKyoto, Japan for the Third Conference of the

United Nations Framework Convention on ClimateChange.

Kyoto protocol is viewed as one of the mostimportant steps to date in environmentalprotection and diplomatic diplomacy.


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An Ecosystem Approach

v Ecosystem-Region in which the organisms andthe physical environment form an interacting unit.

Demarcation of ecosystem is made in the purposeof ecosystem-based management projects.

Ecosystem: discrete and indistinct boundary.v Ecosystem approach requires a look at the way the

natural world is organized.

Environmental scientists task is to recognize andunderstand the interactions and integration of

humans with the natural world.


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Regional Environmental Concerns

Regions of North America


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Wilderness North

v Wilderness- areas with minimal human influence.i.e. much of Alaska and Northern Canada land

v Economic values: trees, animals, scenery, andother natural resources.

v Much land owned by government.


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Wilderness North Contd

vCause to Environmental problems

o Serve climate of wilderness with unwiseexploitation;

o Short-term political and economic decisions

failed to view at long-term environmentalimplications.

v Solutionso View at the scientific, recreational and

economics values of wilderness from Politicians;

o Increasingly sophisticated in negotiation;


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Concern from citizens, business interests, andenvironmental activists;

Compromised made by government to ensure wisedecisions taking into account the balance

economic benefits with social and cultural benefits.

Wilderness North Contd


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Agricultural Middle

Middle of North America is dominated by intensiveagriculture.

Original, natural ecosystems have been replacedby managed agriculture.


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Agricultural Middle Contd

Tremendous economic value due to rich soilresources.o Mostly private land - large economic risks;o Farm failure: drought, disease, lack of markets,

increasing labor shortage, and fuel and

equipment costs.

v Cause to Environmental problems Major non-point pollution source; Tilling the land for agriculture; Using fertilizers, pesticides and other agriculture

chemicals.


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vEnvironmental problems Air pollution, Soil erosion, Siltation, water and

groundwater contamination;

Effecting on wild animal, human exposure.v Solutions Sustainable agriculture:

- Food choices, organic agriculture/foods;

- Land stewardship encouragement;

- Farmers stay tuned to the use of modern

technology.

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Agricultural Middle Contd


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Dry West

Areas where rainfall is inadequate, but adequate toallow livestock production.

Because land in Western U.S. is of low economicvalue, most is still controlled by the U.S.

government. Encourage uses by providing cheap water for

livestock and irrigation, cheap grazing fees, andaccess for industrial development.

Water is an extremely valuable resources in thisregion.


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Dry West Contd

As cities grow, conflict arises between urbandwellers and ranchers and farmers in terms of

water use.

Increased demand will result in shortages andresulting trade-off decisions.

However, much land has low population densitytending towards wilderness character.

Economic livestock vs. wilderness preservation.


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Forested West

Coastal and mountainous regions of westernUnited States and Canada receive sufficient rainfall

to allow coniferous forests.

Most of areas are not suitable for farmland. Government and commercial timber companies

own large sections of land.

Historically, much of this timber has been sold ata loss.


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Forested West Contd

In 1993, USFS was directed to stop below-costtimber sales.

Timber officials claim access to public land isnecessary to remain in business and support the

economy; Conservationists argue ecological and intangible

values outweigh economic values.

vNorthern Spotted Owl in Oregon has becomea symbol of conflict between logging and

preservation.


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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast

Dominated by large metropolitan complexes withlarge, complex resource demands.

Previously formed around by industries whichhave declined, leaving behind abandoned sites

and environmental problems.


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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast Contd

One of the greatest problems is watercontamination from toxic materials.

- Accidental spillage or leakage due to

transportation;

Bioaccumulation in food chain.v Fish Consumption Advisories to problems Prohibited fishing in contaminated areas; Warn against eating certain fish.


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vPublic Concerns economic value of recreational use is extremelyhigh due to overpopulation;

contaminated areas do not enhance tourism orquality of life;

lack of opportunity to interact with nature/wilderness;

Conflicts: Water for industry/shipping vs. Waterfor recreation

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Great Lakes and Industrial Northeast Contd


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The Diverse South

Microcosm of all other regions. Extremely rapid population growth in some

areas such as coastal regions.

vPockets of extreme poverty;vIndustrial development acceptance.

Environmental Problems:o Groundwater, transportation;o Natural ecosystem;o Loss of wetlands.

Chapter 1 Interreationship Lecture2

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