The Environment and Society

Below represents the value of the products and services provided by the

Earth each year.

33,000,000,000,000

List of Products and Services Provided by the Earth

Branches of Economics that effect the Environment

1) Law of Supply and Demand

2) Costs and Benefits

3) Risk Assessment

Law of Supply and Demand

As the demand for a good or service increases the value of that good

increases

Ex: The environment’s oil supply is decreasing but the demand is increasing. Thus the price of oil goes up.

Cost – Benefit Analysis

Weighing the cost of an action versus the benefits that can be received from it

Ex: Recycling cans will cost taxpayers an additional $2000 a year. As a result they will help the environment. However, this is too expensive for taxpayers.

Risk Assessment

Assessing the risk of an undesirable outcome

Ex: What risks would you be taking if you allowed a landfill to be placed in your community?

Industry Worksheet

Wealth and Resources

Influence Environmental Problems

Developed Countries

Characteristics:

high average incomes

slower population growth

diverse industrial economies

Examples:

United States

Japan

Developed Countries' Negative Impact on the

Environment1) Using up natural resources quickly

2) Increased amounts of pollution due to industry

Developing Countries

Characteristics:

lower average incomes

large population growth

simple and agriculture based economies

Examples:

Indonesia

Mexico

Developing Countries' Negative Impact on the

Environment

1) Animals becoming extinct due to over hunting

2) Soil nutrients destroyed due to over farming

Discuss Chart on Page 19 of Textbook

Ecological Footprint

Productive area the Earth needs to support one person in a particular

country. This includes:1) Land for crops2) Forest products3) Housing4) Ocean area

Calculate Environmental Footprint

What the World is Working Towards

Sustainability

Definition:

Meeting human needs without hurting the environment.