Chapter One: Science and Sustainability - An Introduction to Environmental Science

Our Island Earth

• Environment: Consists of all living and non-living components around us.
• Environmental Science: Studies interactions within the environment.

Key Concepts

Renewable vs Non-Renewable Resources

• Renewable Resources:
  • Solar energy
  • Wind energy
  • Geothermal energy
• Non-Renewable Resources:
  • Coal
  • Oil
  • Natural gas

Ecosystem Services

• Definition: Services provided by the natural world (e.g., pollination of plants).
• Importance: Pollution and environmental degradation can disrupt these services.

Population Growth and Resource Consumption

• Current World Population: Approximately 6.9 billion.
• Key Historical Events:
  1. Agricultural Revolution: Transition from nomadic to settled farming.
  2. Industrial Revolution: Shift from agricultural centers to urban manufacturing and fossil fuel usage.
• Population as a Key Factor: Significant contributor to environmental issues.

Tragedy of the Commons

• Definition: Common resources that no one owns are depleted due to lack of care.
• Example: Easter Island's civilization collapse due to deforestation.

Ecological Footprint

• Definition: Environmental impact measured by the total area of Earth's surface used by individuals or groups.
• Current Usage: 30% faster than resources can be replenished.

Nature of Environmental Science

• Studies Earth's natural systems and human interactions.
• Involves solving environmental issues with consideration to socioeconomic factors.
• Key Distinction:
  • Environmentalism: Focus on defending nature.
  • Environmental Science: Study of human-environment interactions and problem-solving.

The Scientific Method

• Three Main Aspects:
  1. Universe operates under fixed natural laws.
  2. Events arise from causes and lead to further events.
  3. Senses and reasoning help describe natural processes.
• Process of Scientific Method:
  1. Observation
  2. Questions
  3. Hypothesis
  4. Prediction
  5. Testing
  6. Results and reinterpretation.
• Peer Review Process:
  • Evaluation by other scientists
  • Presentation at conferences
  • Validation can lead to theories.

Sustainability and the Future

• Definition: Ensuring future generations inherit a world that is not depleted.
• Main Sources of Resource Depletion: Population growth and affluence.

Current Challenges

• Nearly half of the world's land is agricultural; urban sprawl also significant.
• Global Issues:
  • Climate change
  • Air pollution
• Impact: Decrease in biodiversity, leading to instability in ecosystems.

Energy Choices and Solutions

• Current Reliance: Heavy dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels.
• Alternatives:
  • Wind power
  • Solar power
  • Geothermal energy
• Positive Changes:
  • Environmental legislation
  • Soil conservation
  • Recycling
  • Emission reduction efforts.

Sustainable Development

• Definition: Development that prioritizes ecological preservation.
• Triple Bottom Line:
  • Businesses monitoring economic gain alongside environmental impacts.

Conclusion

• Environmental science analyzes the relationship between humans and nature, aiming to create viable solutions for the future.