Introduction to Environmental Science

Lecture Overview

• Define and describe the environment
• Brief introduction to environmental science

Understanding the Environment

• Definition: The environment includes everything around us.
  • Components: Air, water, pollutants, people, noise, etc.
  • Interaction: Direct and indirect interactions with surroundings.
• Broad Scope: Includes biological, geological, and human factors.

Environmental Science

• Definition: The study of the environment to gain reliable information.
• Science as a Verb and Noun:
  • As a noun: Body of knowledge in textbooks.
  • As a verb: Scientific method to gather reliable results.

Scientific Methods

• Observation: Studying behaviors, environmental factors.
• Experimentation: Testing hypotheses, e.g. using fertilizers.
• Exploration: Discovering the natural world.

Scale of Study

• Global, regional, or local (e.g., Clovis, Sierra Nevadas).

Components of the Environment

1. Biotic
   • Living or once living entities (e.g., animals, plants, decomposing materials).
2. Abiotic
   • Non-living materials (e.g., air, water, rocks).

• Interaction: Biotic relies on and alters abiotic.

Human Impact

• Humans influence both biotic and abiotic worlds.
• Examples: Pollution, urban development, resource extraction.

Natural vs Human Systems

1. Natural Systems
   • Pre-exist humans, operate without human influence.
2. Human Systems
   • Influenced and driven by human activity.

Course Topics

• Land and Water Use: Usage implications, pollution.
• Pollution: Impact in water, soil, air, and noise.
• Energy: Production, renewable resources, minimizing impacts.
• Climate Change: Driven by human activities, affects all systems.

Conclusion

• Understand what constitutes the environment.
• Brief understanding of environmental science.
• Next Topic: Overview of Earth's layers and atmosphere.