
Essential Question • What is Environmental Science?
What is Environmental Science? • The study of how humans interact with the environment
Environment • The surroundings that affect our lives and development
Goals of Environmental Science • Identify • Evaluate • Solve
Goals of Environmental Science • Identify Environmental Problems • Evaluate Environmental Problems • Solve Environmental Problems • How do we use natural resources? • How do our actions alter the environment?
Environmental Science is an Applied Science • Applied Science • Uses information from pure sciences to solve problems • Pure Science • Studies how the world works • Biology • Chemistry • Climitology
Fields of Study that Contribute to Environmental Science • Biology • Ecology • Zoology • Botany • Microbiology • Chemistry • Biochemistry • Geochemistry • Earth Science • Geology • Paleontology • Climatology • Hydrology • Social Science • Geography • Anthropology • Sociology
Scientists as Citizens,Citizens as Scientists • All environments are connected • Earth is a closed system • All of our actions have an impact • We’re all in it together • Today’s environmental decisions will affect the lives of future generations
Environmental Problems • Resource Depletion • Pollution • Extinction
Resource Depletion • Natural Resource – A naturally occurring material that can be used by people • Renewable Resource • Can be replaced • Nonrenewable Resource • Cannot be replaced
Pollution • A change in air, water or soil that has an adverse affect on human health or well being. • Biodegradable – Can be broken down by natural processes • Nonbiodegradable – Do not break down easily and build up in the environment
Loss of Biodiversity • Biodiversity – The number and variety of species living in an area. • Extinction – The disappearance of a population or species.
Reasons for Species Decline • HIPPO • H – Habitat Destruction • I – Invasive Species • P – Pollution • P – Population • O - Overexploitation
One last word….. • Population Growth • World Population: • 7,449,048,560* • U.S. Population: • 327,074,030* • Source: U.S. Census Bureau as of 1:32 pm 01/22/18