Environmental Science
The first unit of environmental science is intended to give students a feel for the types of issues that will be covered in the course. Certain fundamental concepts that will reappear multiple times throughout the year will also be taught here. A special emphasis is placed on the root causes of many of the environmental issues discussed through the course, such as overconsumption of resources, pollution, and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, the importance of developing a sense of environmental ethics is a central theme. The famous Hetch Hetchy debate is used to frame much of this lecture.
STANDARDS:
SCSh1. Students will evaluate the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism in science.
SCSh2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.
SCSh3. Students will identify and investigate problems scientifically.
SCSh4. Students use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific equipment and materials.
SCSh5. Students will demonstrate the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and developing reasonable scientific explanations.
SCSh6. Students will communicate scientific investigations and information clearly.
SCSh7. Students analyze how scientific knowledge is developed.
SCSh8. Students will understand important features of the process of scientific inquiry.
SCSh2. Students will use standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations.
SCSh3. Students will identify and investigate problems scientifically.
SCSh4. Students use tools and instruments for observing, measuring, and manipulating scientific equipment and materials.
SCSh5. Students will demonstrate the computation and estimation skills necessary for analyzing data and developing reasonable scientific explanations.
SCSh6. Students will communicate scientific investigations and information clearly.
SCSh7. Students analyze how scientific knowledge is developed.
SCSh8. Students will understand important features of the process of scientific inquiry.
What Is Environmental Science?
What do you think would happen if all of the trees in the rainforest were cut down, or if chemicals were spilled in a river, or if snow and rain fall
increased drastically?
These are some of the many topics that are studied in the field of environmental science. Overall, environmental science is the field of
science that studies the interactions of the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and also the relationships and effects of these components with the organisms in the environment. The field of environmental science can be divided into three main goals, which are to learn how the natural world works, to understand how we as humans interact with the environment, and also to determine how we affect the environment. The third goal of determining how humans affect the environment also includes finding ways to deal with these effects on the environment.
Interdisciplinary Field
Environmental science is also referred to as an interdisciplinary field because it incorporates information and ideas from multiple disciplines.
Within the natural sciences, such fields as biology, chemistry, and geology are included in environmental science. When most people think of environmental science, they think of these natural science aspects, but what makes environmental science such a complex and broad field is that it also includes fields from the social sciences and the humanities.
The social science fields that are incorporated into environmental science include geography, economics, and political science. Philosophy and ethics are the two fields within the humanities that are also included in environmental science. By combining aspects of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, the field of environmental science can cover more concepts and also examine problems and topics from many different points of view.
Importance of Environmental Science
At this current time, the world around us is changing at a very rapid pace. Some changes are beneficial, but many of the changes are causing damage to our planet. The field of environmental science is a valuable resource for learning more about these changes and how they affect the world we live in.
Let's examine a major change that is currently occurring and its relationship to environmental science. The large change is the dramatic increase in the number of humans on earth. For most of human history, the population has been less than a million people, but the current population has skyrocketed to over seven billion people. This equals out to seven thousand times more people!
Due to this increase in the human population, there has also been an increase in pressure on the natural resources and ecosystem services that we rely on for survival. Natural resources include a variety of substances and energysources that we take from the environment and use. Natural resources can be divided into renewable and nonrenewable resources. Renewable natural resources are substances that can be replenished over a period of time, such as sunlight, wind, soil, and timber. On the other hand, nonrenewable natural resources are substances that are in finite supply and will run out. Nonrenewable resources include minerals and crude oils.
Due to the increase in the human population, natural resources are being used up at a more rapid rate than in the past. Although renewable natural resourcescan be replenished, when they are used too rapidly, they cannot be replenished fast enough to meet human demand. Even worse, when nonrenewable natural resources are used too rapidly, they become closer to running out completely and being gone forever.
Natural resources have been referred to as the'merchandise' produced by the environment, and in this respect, ecosystem services are the 'facilities' that we rely on to help produce the merchandise. Ecosystem services are the environment's natural processes that provide us with the resources we need to support life. Common ecosystem services include water and air purification, nutrient cycling, climate regulation, pollinating of plants, and the recycling of waste. Just like some natural resources, ecosystem services are also limited and can be used up if not regulated.
Now, let's tie it together and think about population growth and its influence on both natural resources and ecosystem services. As the human
population increases and natural resources and ecosystem services are usedrapidly and potentially degraded, the future of humans on earth is in jeopardy.This is one major example of why environmental science is important and valuable.
By studying what is happening in the environment, how humans are affecting it, and how it is changing, it may be possible to develop solutions to our depletion of natural resources and ecosystem services. Without the study of environmental science and the development of solutions to environmental problems, it would be likely that resources would run out and the existence of humans on earth might be limited.
Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism
There is often much confusion about the difference between environmental science and environmentalism. Although both focus on the environment, it is important to understand the difference. As we have previously learned, environmental science is the field of science that studies the interactions of the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and the relationships and effects of these components with the organisms in the environment. The keys words here are 'a field of science' because this demonstrates that environmental science is rooted in scientific investigations and knowledge.
Environmentalism, on the other hand, is not necessarily based on science. Environmentalism is a social movement which is based on political and ethical views of the environment. Most environmentalists are people who are dedicated to protecting the environment and the resources it provides to ensurelife for all species. Although environmental scientists and environmentalists may have a similar passion for the world we live in, they differ in the way they approach and address their passion.
What do you think would happen if all of the trees in the rainforest were cut down, or if chemicals were spilled in a river, or if snow and rain fall
increased drastically?
These are some of the many topics that are studied in the field of environmental science. Overall, environmental science is the field of
science that studies the interactions of the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and also the relationships and effects of these components with the organisms in the environment. The field of environmental science can be divided into three main goals, which are to learn how the natural world works, to understand how we as humans interact with the environment, and also to determine how we affect the environment. The third goal of determining how humans affect the environment also includes finding ways to deal with these effects on the environment.
Interdisciplinary Field
Environmental science is also referred to as an interdisciplinary field because it incorporates information and ideas from multiple disciplines.
Within the natural sciences, such fields as biology, chemistry, and geology are included in environmental science. When most people think of environmental science, they think of these natural science aspects, but what makes environmental science such a complex and broad field is that it also includes fields from the social sciences and the humanities.
The social science fields that are incorporated into environmental science include geography, economics, and political science. Philosophy and ethics are the two fields within the humanities that are also included in environmental science. By combining aspects of the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities, the field of environmental science can cover more concepts and also examine problems and topics from many different points of view.
Importance of Environmental Science
At this current time, the world around us is changing at a very rapid pace. Some changes are beneficial, but many of the changes are causing damage to our planet. The field of environmental science is a valuable resource for learning more about these changes and how they affect the world we live in.
Let's examine a major change that is currently occurring and its relationship to environmental science. The large change is the dramatic increase in the number of humans on earth. For most of human history, the population has been less than a million people, but the current population has skyrocketed to over seven billion people. This equals out to seven thousand times more people!
Due to this increase in the human population, there has also been an increase in pressure on the natural resources and ecosystem services that we rely on for survival. Natural resources include a variety of substances and energysources that we take from the environment and use. Natural resources can be divided into renewable and nonrenewable resources. Renewable natural resources are substances that can be replenished over a period of time, such as sunlight, wind, soil, and timber. On the other hand, nonrenewable natural resources are substances that are in finite supply and will run out. Nonrenewable resources include minerals and crude oils.
Due to the increase in the human population, natural resources are being used up at a more rapid rate than in the past. Although renewable natural resourcescan be replenished, when they are used too rapidly, they cannot be replenished fast enough to meet human demand. Even worse, when nonrenewable natural resources are used too rapidly, they become closer to running out completely and being gone forever.
Natural resources have been referred to as the'merchandise' produced by the environment, and in this respect, ecosystem services are the 'facilities' that we rely on to help produce the merchandise. Ecosystem services are the environment's natural processes that provide us with the resources we need to support life. Common ecosystem services include water and air purification, nutrient cycling, climate regulation, pollinating of plants, and the recycling of waste. Just like some natural resources, ecosystem services are also limited and can be used up if not regulated.
Now, let's tie it together and think about population growth and its influence on both natural resources and ecosystem services. As the human
population increases and natural resources and ecosystem services are usedrapidly and potentially degraded, the future of humans on earth is in jeopardy.This is one major example of why environmental science is important and valuable.
By studying what is happening in the environment, how humans are affecting it, and how it is changing, it may be possible to develop solutions to our depletion of natural resources and ecosystem services. Without the study of environmental science and the development of solutions to environmental problems, it would be likely that resources would run out and the existence of humans on earth might be limited.
Environmental Science vs. Environmentalism
There is often much confusion about the difference between environmental science and environmentalism. Although both focus on the environment, it is important to understand the difference. As we have previously learned, environmental science is the field of science that studies the interactions of the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and the relationships and effects of these components with the organisms in the environment. The keys words here are 'a field of science' because this demonstrates that environmental science is rooted in scientific investigations and knowledge.
Environmentalism, on the other hand, is not necessarily based on science. Environmentalism is a social movement which is based on political and ethical views of the environment. Most environmentalists are people who are dedicated to protecting the environment and the resources it provides to ensurelife for all species. Although environmental scientists and environmentalists may have a similar passion for the world we live in, they differ in the way they approach and address their passion.
What is Environmental Science? - Definition and Scope of the Field (Video)
Introduction to Environmental Science Lecture Powerpoint
Purpose: This Powerpoint presentation is designed for the first class of a survey Environmental Science course. The lecture briefly covers many of the fundamental ideas and issues behind the discipline and serves as a good preview for the material covered in the rest of the course. The Powerpoint begins with an introductory a narrative to frame the rest of the material. In this case, I begin with the events leading up to the debate surrounding and eventual construction of the Hetch Hetchy dam in Yosemite National Park. This is a great example of an early clash between two distict types of environmental ethics -- the resource conservationists and nature preservationists. The rest of the lecture is spent discussing some of the broad environmental issues -- resource conservation, pollution, developed vs. developing countries, and ethics. Introduction to Environmental Science Pre-TestIntroduction to Environmental Science
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Essential concepts: Environmental science, renewable resources, nonrenewable resources, pollution, biodiversity, environmental ethics, Tragedy of the Commons, developed countries, developing countries, sustainability.
Environmental Science Writing Prompt The Hetch Hetchy DecisionEnvironmental Science Writing Prompt Bhopal: Environmental Ethics and EconomicsWhile all of the issues and debates within the environmental science curriculum have a moral and ethical component, they each also have a set of
economic considerations. This writing prompt has students watch the beginning of the movie The Yes Men Fix the World to see a recent example of this conflict laid bare. In 2004, the 20th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster in India, a man falsely claiming to be a spokesperson for Dow Chemical appeared on a live BBC newscast. During his interview, he announced that Dow Chemical would be accepting full responsibility for the cleanup, remediation, and victim restitution from the Bhopal disaster of 1984. Immediately after this interview, Dow Chemical's stock price fell 4.2%, or $2 billion in market value Environmental Science Writing Prompt Blood, Sweat, and TakeawaysAffluenza DocumentaryPurpose: As members of developed counties, we are often not even aware of the vast amount of resources we consume, especially in comparison to other countries. This documentary explores the materialistic nature of our society and its impacts. The worksheet contains questions for students to answer as they watch.
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