Lecture 1. Lecture 1

Transcription

1 Lecture 1 Why Environmental Science? Humans and the Environment Lecture 1 Environment Human Impacts on The Environment Population, Resources, and Consumption Sustainability Environmental Science Addressing Environmental Problems 1

2 Environment 1. The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. 2. The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (such as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival. Environment The complex of physical, chemical, and biotic factors (such as climate, soil, and living things) that act upon an organism or an ecological community and ultimately determine its form and survival. 2

3 The Environment (Earth) 4.5 billion years old. Earth well suited for life Water over ¾ of planet Habitable temperature, moderate sunlight Atmosphere provides oxygen and carbon dioxide Soil with essential minerals for plants Environmental Science 3

4 Human Impact on the Environment The Environment (Earth) Life has existed on earth for ~ 3.8 billion yrs. 4

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6 Human Impacts on Environment- Population Modern humans (Homo sapiens) appeared ~100,000 years ago in Africa and quickly expanded to the rest of the world Human Impacts on Environment- Population Middle Ages approx. 500 million billion Now, human population is ~7.1 billion Growing almost exponentially Estimates of 8-11 billion by end of 21 st century However, growth rate appears to be slowing 6

7 Human Impacts on Environment- Population We are the most significant agent of environmental change Human Impacts on Environment- Population The population change is not the same everywhere on the planet. 7

8 Human Impacts on Environment- Population The consequences of this rapid increase in population change is not felt the same everywhere on the planet. Population More than 1 in 4 people live in extreme poverty Cannot meet basic need for food, clothing, shelter, health Difficult to meet population needs without exploiting earth s resources 8

9 Gap Between Rich and Poor Countries differentiated based on wealth Gap Between Rich and Poor Highly Developed Countries (HDC) Complex industrialized bases, low population growth, high per capita incomes Ex: US, Canada, Japan (19% population, 50% economic activity) U.S. 5% of the world population, consumes 25% of the world s resources. 9

10 Gap Between Rich and Poor Less Developed Countries (LDC) Low level of industrialization (agriculture), very high fertility rate, high infant mortality rate, low per capita income This list contains 49 countries: 33 in Africa (all sub-saharan) Others in southeast Asia and a number of small island states in the Pacific. Gap Between Rich and Poor Rising income disparity in many countries Large gap between wealthy and poor citizens Differential access to electricity, cars, modern medicine Ex: China, India, Brazil, Mexico 10

11 Population and Resource Use Less Developed Countries Essential resources for individual survival are small People require very little to meet their basic needs Rapidly increasing population can quickly overwhelm or deplete resources, especially locally 11

12 Population and Resource Use HDC - Resource consumption can far outweigh needs of survival People require very little to meet their basic needs, but Affluent nations use larger portions and can exhaust resources globally Resources 12

13 Natural Resources Something, such as a air, freshwater, a forest, or a mineral deposit that is found in nature and is necessary or useful to humans. Natural Resources 13

14 Consumption Human use of Natural Resources People in HDCs are big consumers, well beyond what is needed for survival. 1 child born in the HDC has a greater impact on resources than 12 born in a LDC. U.S.3% of the world population, consumes about 25% of its resources. Why environmental problem occur Unsustainable Consumption Occurs when the level of demand on a country s resources damages or depletes the resource enough to reduce the quality of life for future generations 1. Caused by overpopulation situation in most developing countries (LDC). 2. Caused by overconsumption developed countries, consume way more that needed for survival (HDC). 14

15 Ecological Footprint The average amount of land, water and ocean required to provide that person with all the resources they consume Earth s Productive Land and Water 11.4 billion hectares Amount Each Person is Allotted (divide Productive Land & Water by Human Pop.) 1.8 hectares Current Global Ecological Footprint of each person 2.7 hectares Ecological Footprint Comparison Ecological footprints are not all equal: 15

16 IPAT Model Measures 3 factors that affect environmental impact (I) Environmental Impact Affluence per person I = P A Number of people T Environmental effect of technologies Sustainability 16

17 Environmental Sustainability The ability to meet current human need for natural resources without compromising the needs of future generations Try to avoid over consumption by wisely managing our resources. Requires understanding: The effects of our actions on the earth That earth s resources are not infinite Environmental Science The interdisciplinary study of humanity s relationship with other organisms and the non-living physical environment. Interdisciplinary biology, geography, chemistry, geology, physics, economics, sociology, cultural anthropology, agriculture, engineering, law, politics, and ethics. Encompasses many complex and interconnected problems/issues. GOAL Promote Sustainability! 17

18 Environmental Scientists Ecologists that try to establish general principles as to how the natural world functions Use this knowledge to develop viable solutions to environmental problems In association with Economists Chemists Sociologists Etc. 18