Understanding Our Understanding Our EnvironmentEnvironment

DefinitionsDefinitions

• Environmental science – the study of how humans interact with the environment

• Environment – everything that surrounds us – the natural world along with human products

What’s the Problem???What’s the Problem???

Environmental Problems

ResourceDepletion

Pollution Extinction

Resource DepletionResource Depletion

• Natural resource – any natural substance that living things can use

• Here are some examples……..

SunlightSunlight

AirAir

WaterWater

SoilSoil

MineralsMinerals

PlantsPlants

AnimalsAnimals

ForestsForests

Fossil FuelsFossil Fuels

Resource DepletionResource Depletion

• Depletion occurs when large part of a resource is used up

Nonrenewable ResourcesNonrenewable Resources

• Natural resources which cannot be replaced

• EX: copper ore

• EX: natural gas

• EX: gold

Renewable ResourcesRenewable Resources

• Natural resources which are continually replaced, even as being used

• EX: solar energy

• EX: trees

• EX: rain

PollutionPollution

• Intro of harmful levels of chemicals or waste material into the environment.

EX: By-products of processes EX: By-products of processes such as fuel combustionsuch as fuel combustion

EX: Pesticides EX: Pesticides - created to get - created to get rid of pests, but rid of pests, but harm envir. when harm envir. when they enter air, they enter air, water, and soil.water, and soil.

EX: HEX: Humanuman health issues health issues

ExtinctionExtinction

• Last individual member of a species has died and is gone forever.

• Dying out because natural homes (habitats) are destroyed

• Rate is higher now than at any other time in history.

A Global PerspectiveA Global Perspective

• Biosphere is very thin layer of life around the Earth

• About 8 km high and 8 km deep

• See Figure 1-10 on p. 10

Developed & Developing CountriesDeveloped & Developing Countries

• Developed Countries–Highly industrialized

–High average incomes

–Examples include •United States•Canada•Japan•Australia, New Zealand•Countries of western Europe

Developing CountriesDeveloping Countries

• Less industrialized

• Much lower average income

–Examples include•India•Kenya•Malaysia•Mexico•Thailand

Population & ConsumptionPopulation & Consumption• Human populations growing too quick-

ly for some regions of world to support

• Causes population crisis

• When people use up, waste, or pollute natural resources faster than they can be renewed, replaced, or cleaned up……

• Result is consumption crisis

Population CrisisPopulation Crisis

• Most severe in developing countries

• Not enough resources for everyone, but population continues to skyrocket anyway

• Result is severe damage to environment

• Malnutrition, starvation, and disease occur nearly constantly

Consumption CrisisConsumption Crisis

• Most severe in developed countries• Populations are stabilized or growing

slowly• But average citizen uses

disproportionately large share of Earth’s resources.

• Up to 75% of resources used every year consumed by about 20% of population

In a sustainable world….In a sustainable world….

• High standards of living and health• Habitats preserved• Garbage transformed into harmless

stuff• Nonrenewables used sparingly/

efficiently• Renewables used no faster than they

are replaced

Is sustainableIs sustainable development development

possible?possible?

Let’s tackle consumerism…Let’s tackle consumerism…

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